Accidents can happen and cause serious injuries and trauma when you are involved in equestrian sports. To protect your body during falls, we focused on an inflatable full body vest. So that all beginners and advanced riders, adults and juniors, can practice horseback riding with optimal safety. read more ...
Our women's, men's and children's airbag riding vests
Ride a pony or horse without compromising on your safety and comfort. Discreet and efficient, your Horse Pilot protective airbag vest complies with European safety standards, for you or your child.
A top-of-the-line riding airbag vest brand: Horse Pilot
Are you a beginner rider or an experienced rider and international jumping enthusiast? Our airbag riding vest is completely redesigned with its patented system, to offer you protection, discretion and comfort.
The Horse Pilot collection of women's, men's and children's riding airbag vests
Man, woman or child, the stretch fit of our unisex airbag riding vest adjusts to your body type. Simply choose your size, from XS to XL, for your riding airbag purchase.
Horse Pilot airbag vests compatible with riding apparel
The vest's ergonomics make it completely invisible under our specially designed range of designer airbag compatible clothing. From show jackets to bombers, the airbag inflates without being in the way. And garment materials return to their original shape after deflation, without damage.
A good quality technical riding airbag for riding
Because safety is all about the quality of your equipment, we turned to the company In&Motion. Its advanced technology and patented system allow us to meet all the requirements of strict controls on a high quality product.
Performing equestrian airbag vests
Stretchy materials and an ultra-thin cartridge ensure you have optimal freedom of movement. Once on the horse, one hand is enough to connect or disconnect your leash (release lanyard attached to your saddle). Its effectiveness and resistance are certified CE according to the protocol GEG-001, by the laboratory CRITT Sport Loisirs.
Riding airbag vest and rider range of motion
Stay free to move with the wide armholes. Breathe and move with the nylon and spandex that make it up. These stretch materials follow your riding body without awkward creases or extra bulk.
Horse Pilot airbag riding vest sold ready to use
Delivered with its gas cartridge refill and magnetic saddle connection strap, you can test your gear upon receipt, either with a compatible garment or alone, complete with the Light Pack airbag kit.
Why buy a riding airbag vest for riding?
A bad fall or a misplaced hoof strike can cause serious trauma. The inflatable riding vest cushions the impact and reduces the after-effects. Several times a year, Horse Pilot offers sales of these products. The airbag vest may be on sale. This can be a great opportunity to get equipped and ensure your protection. An accident happens quickly and doesn't just happen to others. Compared to the after-effects and costs of an accident, the riding airbag is cheap. Health and safety come at a price. Solutions can also exist if the price to equip yourself with equipment to ensure your protection is unaffordable: the first is the rental of a riding airbag vest. It will allow you to access an optimal level of safety at a lower cost. The second solution is to equip yourself by purchasing a second-hand equestrian airbag vest. This one will absolutely have to be revised and certified compliant by its manufacturer.
Equestrian Center Regulations
Only the helmet is mandatory. Also called the bomb, it must meet current equestrian standards and be marked "CE". No back protection or airbags are required for recreational riding. The choice of wearing boots or booties with or without chaps is yours, as long as your attire is suitable.
Rider safety and existing equipment
The chaps must fit your head and have a chinstrap. Its wearing is mandatory in equestrian structure and in official competitions. The FFE divides protective vests into three levels, depending on the equestrian discipline practiced. A protective vest must meet the European standard CE EN 13158. It is recommended for show jumping and is required to pass federal exams. In competition, a level 3 vest is mandatory in cross-country, TREC (competitive riding techniques) and marathon driving. It is also allowed in eventing competition, if worn with a cross country vest.
The equestrian airbag vest provides better protection for the rider
Although not required, the air vest is the most effective way to protect your upper body during a riding accident. The vital areas of your torso, as well as your neck and vertebrae, are safe in a protective vest that is more flexible and comfortable than a back shell.
The sports airbag vest, an existing technology
The airbag in the motorcycle airbag jacket, or motorcycle vest, protects the biker's vital areas more extensively than a belly or back protector. As for the ski airbag vest, it includes a back protector and is worn under the suit. Its onboard system triggers inflation when it detects a fall by the skier.
The equestrian airbag vest is favored by many riders
Riders such as Philippe Rozier, Jérôme Guery or even François Mathy HR no longer do without it and testify to their adherence.
Recognized effectiveness of airbag riding vests
With its quick deployment, extensive protection and range of motion allowed, this protective gear has many advantages to protect your life. This lightweight, flexible airbag vest dethrones back protectors and other conventional, more rigid protection.
Airbag vest and psychological aid/benefit
The rider feels safer with chest and back protected from bad blows. This has a positive psychological impact on his confidence building. However, one should not adopt reckless behavior for all that.
How does a riding airbag vest fit?
Your airbag protection slips on as easily as a traditional vest, right before you ride. You wear it snugly over your sweater or t-shirt as a last layer. But never under your jacket or show jacket. Unless those riding clothes are airbag compatible.
Riding airbag vest how it works
Once on your mount, your wired airbag is linked to the saddle with the tie-down strap, through a box that contains the CO2 cartridge. It itself connected to the strategically positioned airbags.
Riding Airbag Vest Operation
During a fall or ejection of the rider, the connection to the saddle breaks and the airbag system is triggered. When detaching from the vest, the connection strap removes the key ball from the case. The gas cartridge is punctured by the firing pin and releases its gas into the air bags. These inflate to protect the rider before he reaches the ground.
Riding airbag vest deployment speed
The impact to the ground occurs, on average, in less than one second. Thus, the airbag vest fully deploys in less than 1 to 2/10ths of a second depending on the model.
Extent of protection of the equestrian airbag vest
Strategic airbag placement covers the torso from tailbone to neck to protect the spine, shoulders, vital organs under the ribs and abdomen, sacrum and pelvis.
Refill and CO2 cartridge for deployment
Gas capsules are single use and are replaced once expired or punctured after a trigger. The exact model of cartridge refill specified by the manufacturer should be purchased to ensure proper operation of the vest.
Life expectancy of a riding airbag vest
A well-maintained and stored vest will last a long time. The attachment strap can be purchased alone for replacement. The triggered vest, intact or professionally repaired, is reused once rearmed with a fresh gas cartridge refill. Of course, a fall on gravel will damage your vest more than a fall in sand.
Can a riding airbag vest be combined with a protective back brace?
It's entirely possible. In fact, in eventing, the airbag is allowed as long as it is worn with mandatory back protection. Remember to take your measurements with your back protector before choosing the size of your airbag. Because a vest that is too tight can interfere with the inflation of the bags.
How to maintain your riding airbag vest
You should definitely not: immerse your airbag vest in water, put it in the dryer, store it folded or balled up, or iron it or put it near a heat source. This can damage the internal protective membrane or the mechanical release system. Cleaning is done with a brush, or a damp sponge and a mild cleaner. After a fall, check its condition. If it shows any abnormality or damage, it should be checked. Store your airbag in a dry place, hanging on a hanger, flat, or in its carrying case.
How to choose your riding airbag vest.
Your riding airbag vest should be worn snugly, for optimal protection. Too tight and it's uncomfortable. Too loose, its effect may be diminished by moving during impact. Your vest should be the right length. Too long, it can ride up your back once you're in the saddle. Too short, your neck and kidneys are poorly protected. From one model of vest to another, the principle is the same, only the aspect changes (curved vest, with or without adjustments, lightness...). Finally, it must be adapted to your equestrian discipline, your use (competition, training or both) and the weather conditions.
Equestrian airbag vest size guide
To find out how to choose the size of your riding airbag, take three measurements, dressed in the clothes likely to be worn underneath: the height of the back, from the top of the tailbone to the base of the neck, the chest measurement, the waist measurement, above the belly button. The size that corresponds to your measurements is indicated by each manufacturer depending on the model.