Clothing for Yard Work:

Clothing, worn for yard work, should be comfortable and provide freedom of movement. Excessively loose or baggy clothing should be avoided as it could get caught up in machinery, or frighten the horse if it flaps around.

• No jewellery (with exception of a watch).
• No perfume.
• Long hair tied back.
• Warm, waterproof clothing for bad weather.
• Overalls for dirty work.
• Dusk masks should be worn when necessary.
• Gloves, especially when leading horses.
• An approved riding hat for leading especially if the equine is young, difficult or lively.

Footwear:

Safe and suitable footwear should be worn at all times. Open-toed, or flimsy shoes will offer no protection.

• Leather footwear is preferable as it offers protection and is long lasting.
• Steel toe caps.
• Non-slip soles.
• Waterproof.

Clothing for Riding Horses:

Riding hat with the strap fastened:

• Must be up to standard and fit correctly:
  • PAS 015 (1998 or 2011)
  • VG1 01.040 (2014-12)
  • ASTM F1163 (2004a or 04a onwards)
  • SNELL E2001
  • AS/NZS 3838 (2006 onwards)

• Under 14yrs are legally obligated to wear a riding hat whilst riding.
• Correctly fitted.
• The chin strap should be fitted and fastened correctly.
• The hat should be replaced after a fall, or if dropped on a hard floor. Even if the hat appears intact on the surface, the protective shell could be damaged.
• Never purchase a second hand hat.

Riding Boots:

• Long plastic riding boots (cheaper).
• Long leather riding boots.
• Jodhpur boots (under 16's).
• Jodhpur boots and chaps, or gaiters.

Do not wear:

• Trainers or flat soled shoes: They do not have a heel so the rider's foot could slip through the stirrup.
• Wellingtons. They have too much grip on the sole and the top of the boot could become trapped under the saddle flap.

Riding Wear:

• Breeches or jodhpurs are most suitable. They are designed to offer protection, whilst riding, or from grazes and cuts if you fell off the horse.
• A long sleeve top is recommended, even in hot weather. It will offer protection against cuts and grazes, if you fell off.
• Gloves should be worn to protect your hands.
• All coats and jackets must be fastened up.

Body Protectors: 

A correctly fitted body protector should be worn whilst riding. It offers increased protection to your ribs, spine, breastbone and vital organs, therefore reducing the risk of severe or fatal injuries if you fell off whilst riding.

The body protector should comply with EN13158 and be recognised BETA level standard. They can be purchased as level one, black label (being phased out), level two, brown label, and level three, purple label; level three offers the best protection and meets requirements for all equestrian disciplines. BETA advises all body protectors are replaced every 3-5 years, or after any serious fall or kick to the jacket.

It must be correctly fitted to your body in the clothing you will be wearing when using the jacket ie your show jacket or cross-country top. You should only buy from a reputable store, where the fitter has attended a BETA body protector fitting training session.

Air Jackets:

Air Jackets are considerably new to the market, and do not currently meet any recognised safety standard. However they are becoming a more popular choice with riders, but at present you are advised to wear one in conjunction with a level three body protector.

How an air jacket works:

The jacket MUST be attached to the front of the saddle via a short cable which will break away, if you fell off, instructing a small gas canister to immediately inflate the jacket with air. It is designed to offer greater protection, for your upper body, on impact with the ground or fence etc.

If the cable is not attached to the saddle, or the gas canister is not in working order, this jacket will offer no protection.