Safety equipment is important whether you enjoy leisure time or compete in horse riding. Reflective horse riding gear is a must-have as it can make you more visible to other road users.
Horse rider gear can include jackets, vests and tabards. These are made to be lightweight and comfortable but also have reflective parts for added visibility.
Reflective Leg Bands
Reflective leg bands are essential safety equipment for any horse rider. They help you be visible to vehicles, pedestrians, and other road users at night.
They can also be useful for riding out in the woods during hunting season, as well as during dusk and moonlight rides. They are in various colours, including yellow, orange, and lime.
These bands are made of 3M Scotchlite, a type of reflective material that uses a physics trick called retro-reflection to give you the best possible visibility in low-light conditions.
They feature a velcro closure and are adjustable, so they fit almost any leg size. They are especially useful when riding long pants, as they help keep your pant leg from getting caught in the chain.
Reflective Rugs
Reflective horse rugs are a must-have for every rider. They help you and your horse stay visible in dark or low-visibility situations and keep you safe while riding in the countryside.
A good reflective rug has an iridescent colour that shines brightly in the dark. These rugs are especially useful for darker winter days and when it’s raining outside.
It would help if you also took note of the fit of your rugs, as this is important for the horse’s comfort. If a rug doesn’t fit well, it will not sit in place correctly and may slide forward or back during the ride.
You can find many types of rugs in different sizes and materials, such as wool or synthetic fleece. Some rugs are water repellent and help your horse dry in rainy weather. Others are made of a material that absorbs sweat and transports it to the outside air.
Reflective Vest
A good horse riding reflective wear is a must-have for any equestrian. It can make riders more visible in a crowd, which can help them avoid collisions and accidents.
When choosing a vest, ensure it fits properly and meets safety standards. This can help prevent torso injuries in the event of a fall.
The best vests will have a form-fitting design, meaning they should not restrict the range of motion or movement in the rider’s body. Ideally, the front should extend from the neck or collarbone to the bottom of the ribcage, and the back should reach down to the tailbone.
Many types of protective vests are available, ranging from traditional foam models to high-tech gel versions that are moulded to the shape of your body.
Reflective Saddle Pads
Saddle pads are essential to horse riding gear and serve various purposes. They can protect your saddle from chafing and sweat, reduce shock, and improve the fit of your saddle.
Several pad materials provide different levels of protection and cushioning, so selecting the right one for your horse is important. For example, horses with a history of kissing the spine or back pain may benefit from a softer pad that absorbs more impact.
Gel pack pads are heavy-mill vinyl/plastic bladders filled with a non-hardening gel material. They work fine for limited riding (less than 30 minutes), but after a long day of use, they will bottom out, leaving no compression protection below any pressure points that might exist in a saddle.
