Body protector or back protector – what’s the difference?
If you’ve been searching high and low for new gear to help you stay safe in the saddle, you might come across both body protectors and back protectors – as well as air jackets, of course. Lots of riders have stories of how their body or back protector helped to prevent more serious injury in the event of a fall, or meant they walked away totally unharmed. But what sets one apart from the other? If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between a body protector and a back protector is, and which one is right for your current circumstances, here’s a quick explanation of the key differences:
Body protectors
A body protector is the better choice from the two for all-round protection of the back and ribs, and many riders choose to wear a body protector for breaking in young horses, galloping and jumping. They are normally crafted from lightweight but dense foam that absorbs some of the impact and energy in the event of a fall or kick. They may be constructed from one solid panel of foam or multiple small panels stitched together, with the latter offering more freedom of movement in the saddle. Our Ti22 is a unisex, flexible segmented-style body protector that meets the high EN 13158: 2018 BETA level 3 2018 standards. It boasts tough zips, military grade outer mesh, ultra-lightweight foam and cool feel titanium coloured inner lining.
You can also buy shoulder pads to attach to our Ti22 body protector that are designed to extend the protection to the collarbone, a very common area for injury when falling from a horse! Some equestrian governing bodies require a body protector that meets the latest BETA standards as mandatory for competing in disciplines, such as cross-country and team chasing. There are some riders who dislike wearing a body protector as they feel they are uncomfortable and restrict their ability to move freely in the saddle. In these cases, they may prefer to try a back protector to see if they like that better.
Back Protectors
Back protectors are designed to reduce the forces and impact on your back in the event of a fall or if you’re kicked working a horse from the ground. The technology is based on the back protectors worn by motorcyclists that are designed to reduce forces on their spine if they are in an accident. Back protectors don’t provide the all-round protection to the ribs and chest as a body protector, but are usually lighter and easier to move in. That means they can be ideal for activities when a rider might choose not to wear a full body protector. That might be when they are out hacking, doing light work with their horse in the school or even showjumping. Back protectors are made from one or several large, shaped foam designed to absorb impact. They often feature a sleeker profile that can be worn under a jacket, as there are no foam panels on the front – just the rear.
Our Sculpt back protector is manufactured here in the UK to EN1621-2-2014 motorcycle standard and is designed to protect the back in the event of a fall. The foam protection used in the Sculpt is removable so that the rest of the garment can be washed and kept fresh.
We hope this information helps you make an informed decision when it comes to back and body protection, and which suits you best. If you would like to take a closer look at our Ti22 body protector and the Sculpt back protector, use our ‘find a stockist’ page to learn more and find out where your nearest retailer is.
As with riding hats, body protector safety is controlled by the use of standards and certification marks.
Our body protectors are CE marked to EN 13158:2018 and annually retested to the highest BETA Level 3 2018, meaning they consistently meet the very latest in safety standards.
Superior design and technology have allowed us to create body protectors that mould to the form of the rider and more effectively protect the vital organs and ribs in the event of a fall.
Body protectors are designed to offer protection to a rider by absorbing the high levels of energy created when falling off a horse or being kicked or stepped on by a horse.
There are three international equestrian safety standards for foam-based body protectors: EN 13158, ASTM F1937 and ASTM F2681.
There is one specification for air-inflatable equestrian body protectors: Satra M38.
Motorcycle body protector standards are sometimes used for equestrian body protection: EN 1621-2, EN 1621-3 and EN 1621-4. For example, The Shadow back protector meets the EN1621-2-2014 certification. A back protector does not give the same protection as a body protector as it is tested in fewer accident scenarioes, however some riders choose to wear a lighter back protector than nothing at all.
Unlike other certification marks, the CE mark is simply a design test that allows items to be sold in Europe.
These organisations manage the standards and test products to ensure body protectors meet their requirements of safety for riders.
BETA maintains the EN equestrian standards.
EN 13158 is a body protector standard with three primary components:
Impact testing is conducted at ambient temperatures, and an optional 30°C impact test is also available.
Body protector manufacturers conforming to the BETA standards are required to annually re-test their approved products to ensure ongoing consistency in the quality of manufacture and of the shock-absorbing foams used in the construction of their garments.
SEI maintains ASTM standards.
ASTM F1937 is a standard that specifies:
Testing procedures include a shock attenuation test, a penetration and deformation test, an impact sites test, a padding separation test, and a closure test.
These tests are done in four conditions: ambient temperature, low temperature, high temperature, and water immersion.
ASTM F2681 is a standard for body protectors that covers the minimum performance criteria and outlines test methods for body protectors that will be used specifically for horse racing.
In 1995, BETA Level 1, 2, and 3 safety standards were introduced, with 1 being the lowest and 3 being the highest level of protection offered.
There are three levels of protection to cater for different riding activities. The latest European safety standard is EN 13158 and BETA 2018.
No body protector can prevent serious injury in certain accidents, but you can improve your chances of staying safe by choosing the highest safety standard.
Body protectors certified to Level 1 provide a lower level of impact protection that is only considered appropriate for racing where weight is of over-riding importance and there are no requirements in place for a great level of protection.
Body protectors certified to Level 2 provide a lower than normal level of protection that is only considered appropriate for use in low risk situations.
These DO NOT include riding on roads or other hard surfaces, riding over jumps, riding young or excitable horses or riding while inexperienced. This level is now used by many jockeys while racing.
Body protectors certified to Level 3 provide a level of protection that is considered appropriate for normal horse riding, competitors and for working with horses.
Protectors to this level should prevent minor bruising that would have produced stiffness and pain, reduce soft tissue injuries and bruising, and prevent a limited number of rib fractures.
This level is required by many exercise riders for race horses.
Body protectors designed to meet the needs of horse drivers. Navigators are best wearing a standard level 3. It does not provide adequate coverage of the back for those riding horses or those working with them.
In addition to body protectors, the BETA standard is able to test against a fall on the point of the shoulder.
As shoulders are more rigid than ribs, shoulder protectors are subject to different tests. Shoulder protectors that are certified bear their own label on the protector.
Some styles of Charles Owen body protectors come with the option to attach shoulder protectors. Wearing shoulder protectors can reduce the likelihood of injury to the shoulder or collar bone area by up to 80% according to one study.
Charles Owen body protectors conform to the European standard EN 13158:2018 and are CE marked to show their compliance to the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC. They are annually retested to ensure consistency of the standard.
Our body protectors also conform to the appropriate BETA standards with the requirement to be annually re-tested. This ensures long-term consistency in the quality of manufacture and of the shock-absorbing foams used in their construction.
The air components of our AyrVest and AirShell layer of the AyrPS are tested to the Satra M38:Issue 3 February 2015 for airvests.
Our air circulation system uses a 60cc gas canister and creates an advanced protection zone that offers greater stopping distances for the body to reduce injury.
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