The Future of Rider Safety Is About to Move Up a Notch
For years, we have been taught that wearing a riding helmet is non-negotiable when it comes to horses, and rightly so. Whether you are heading out for a hack, warming up in the show ring, or schooling your horse at home, strapping on a helmet has become second nature. Lately, however, there has been another shift in the air. More and more horse riders, both amateur and professional, are embracing the added protection of airvests - and to be honest, we think it is about time.
Why Do Horse Riders Hesitate to Wear an Airvest?
Does an Airvest look bulky? Are they worth the price compared to a normal Body Protector? Will I even remember to clip in, or worse, forget to unclip it? After digging into the research, seeing airvests in action, and now having them available in store, we are convinced that airvests are going to become the next helmet-level essential. Here is why.
The Reality of Risk when Horse Riding
We all know that horse riding is one of the few sports where you can do everything right and still end up on the ground. A 2021 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that equestrian sports rank among the highest for injury severity per hour of participation, even ahead of motorcycle riding. Most of these injuries occur in the back, neck, or internal organs.
Riding Helmets Protect Your Head, But What About the Rest of Your Body?
That is where equestrian airvests come in. When triggered, typically by a lanyard clipped to your saddle, the vest inflates faster than the blink of an eye, creating a cushion that absorbs and disperses impact across the torso, neck, spine, and vital organs.
So Why Aren’t We All Wearing Airvests?
In Europe and the UK, airvest use by equestrians has skyrocketed. At events like Badminton and Burghley, they are now a common sight. In New Zealand, we are slightly behind the curve but not for long. We have noticed an increasing number of horse riders from all disciplines asking about airvests.
Yes, they are expensive, but is there really a price you can put on safety? When you consider the level of rider protection an airvest offers, it starts to look a lot more like a necessity than a luxury. Consider the cost involved if you cannot work because of an injury and the associated expenses of recovery.
Why We Chose Helite Airvests
When we decided to stock airvests at NZ Tack, we did extensive research. We looked into different body protector brands and read all the fine print. We considered price, reputation, horse rider comfort, inflation rates, warranty, and replacement canisters. We looked at brands like Freejump, Horse Pilot, Seaver. All great airvest brands in their own right, but in the end, Helite stood out to us, not just for its reputation but for its proven reliability and simple design. These rider protection vests are made in France and have been on the market for over 20 years. They are CE-certified, resettable, and incredibly fast to inflate. The shape of the Helite airbag offers full coverage of the rider's neck, spine, ribs, and internal organs. Their vests are well known in the motorcycle world and are now gaining a great reputation in the equestrian world.
Helite Answers the Two Most Common Rider Concerns About Airvests
We chatted with Jackie from Helite NZ about two of the most frequently asked questions riders have when considering an airvest.
"What happens if you forget to unclip before dismounting?"
Jackie explained that it takes approximately 30 kilograms of force to activate the canister. In many cases, a rider can lightly step down from the saddle and still have time to unclip before the vest deploys. Of course, this depends on the situation and the way you dismount, but it is reassuring to know the airvest system is not overly sensitive.
"Will the noise of the airvest inflating spook my horse?"
The honest answer? Some horses may react, others may not. But let's be real, if you do come off, would you not actually want your horse to move away from you? If your biggest worry is how your horse will react to the sound, you may be overlooking the more important issue: your own safety.
For New Zealand riders, the Helite Zip’In 2 is especially popular because it is discreet, competition-friendly airvest, and can be worn under a specially designed Helite show jacket.
The Helite Airnest offers a more relaxed fit airvest, ideal for everyday horse training or cross-country schooling, as it can be adjusted to fit over a back protector if required.
Will Airvests Become the New Equestrian Norm?
We believe they will. More importantly, we believe they should.
Just like horse riding helmets became the default, airvests are heading the same way. The technology is here. The protection is proven. The peace of mind it offers is unmatched.
We are proud to be making these premium airvests available at NZ Tack Saddlery Co, and excited to see more horse riders making safety a priority.
If you are on the fence, come try one on. We will walk you through how they work and help you find the right airvest fit.
Equestrian safety does not have to compromise style or comfort. When it comes to protecting the body that carries us through every ride, we think an airvest is one of the best decisions a rider can make.
