So you’re looking for one of the best cameras for horse riding? Whether you’re buying the camera as a gift or treating yourself, I have to say this is an excellent shout! Having a camera with you while you’re in the saddle will not only capture memorable moments, such as your horse’s first visit to the beach and other occasions on your horsey bucket list, but could also provide useful footage in the event of an incident, such as a close pass or collision on the road or a fall. They are usually mounted on your riding hat or body, but you can get cameras that track or auto-follow you from the ground or a tripod in the school, too.
Cameras and recording equipment are now common place in everyday life – and it’s not unusual for horse owners to have stable cameras, pet cameras and cameras for horse riding. While cameras can’t be worn in most competition, they are often encouraged when hacking as part of the standard safety gear to record encounters with other road users. The choice is vast when it comes to cameras that can be used while horse riding, and this guide will help you to choose the best for your needs within your budget.
Best cameras for horse riding
Techalogic DC-2 Pro Dual Lens Helmet Camera
Quality: 2K
Weight: 104g
Recording time: 4 hours
This camera gives you everything that the DC-1 offers and more – the main differences are the extended recording time (an extra 90 mins per charge) and the ability to record in 2K. The weatherproof camera simultaneously records front and back, capturing everything around you, which is ideal if you’re recording your hacks for safety purposes. It attaches to an adjustable elasticated riding hat strap, which is included, or you can purchase a hi-vis strap separately.
You can take photos and lockdown (prevent overwrite) your favourite video files via the remote control wrist strap, and watch and playback footage anywhere via an app on your phone.
I’ve tested this camera while hacking and on a riding holiday. The battery life is what sets it apart from other models in this guide – if you don’t fiddle around with the settings too much you get a long recording time without the need for a battery pack. I didn’t manage to get quite four hours as I think I use up too much battery fiddling and viewing from my phone, but if you want even longer there’s always the option of a purchasing a portable battery pack to charge on the go.
Reasons to buy: Longest battery life
Reasons to avoid: If you want a discreet camera
Cambox V4 Pro
Quality: 4K
Weight: 70g
Recording time: 80min
This camera attaches underneath the brim of your riding hat with Velcro – there’s no strap required. Yes, you’ll have the Velcro attachment strip on your helmet permanently if you take the camera off, but it’s not easily visible. The camera itself is lightweight (only 70g) so you don’t notice it’s there – and as it sits centrally I find I notice it even less – which is really important when you’re in the saddle.
You can see the light in your eyeline, so once you’ve familiarised yourself with the light colours and frequencies, you don’t need to remove your helmet or connect your phone to check it’s on, which is a big bonus if you need to have two hands on the reins at all times. It’s also quick and easy to adjust the angle.
This model is a real step up from its predecessors – although it has an inexpensive 3D printed feel, the design is much more user friendly. It has increased video stabilisation and a wider angle lens. I find that sometimes when manufacturers release an upgrade the differences aren’t noticeable to the average user, but if you’re set on a Cambox then I would say the V4+ Pro is worth the extra money.
All the cameras in this guide are a bit of an outlay, but this one is up there with the most expensive. The quality of the footage was certainly good enough for me, and if you value the discrete look and POV angle, this is the camera for you.
Reasons to buy: Super discrete and lightweight
Reasons to avoid: If you want dual front-and-rear recording or long recording time
Recall Rider Dual Safety Camera
Quality: Up to 4K
Weight: 113g
Recording time: Up to 7 hours when using included battery pack
Don’t be put off by the old-style helmet used in the imagery, this camera is made by body-worn camera specialists. It can record from the front and rear simultaneously, and the kit comes with full long-life expansion pack that lengthens the operating time to more than seven hours, which is impressive even if you need a pack.
The camera has an in-built sensor that automatically saves recording if you receive a heavy knock, ensuring evidence is safe in case of an incident. It has a 145-degree viewing angle and you can start recording with just one click – it’s always ready to go.
I’m really looking forward to putting this one to the test to see how it compares with the Techalogic models.
Reasons to buy: You want a dual-facing camera with long battery life but don’t have a big budget
Reasons to avoid: You’re looking for a more discreet camera
Techalogic DC-1 Dual Lens Helmet Camera
Quality: HD
Weight: 104g
Recording time: 2½ hours
H&H Review: 9/10, H&H Approved
This weatherproof camera simultaneously records front and back, capturing everything around you, which is ideal if you’re recording your hacks for safety purposes. It attaches to an adjustable elasticated riding hat strap, which is included, or you can purchase a hi-vis strap separately.
You can take photos and lockdown (prevent overwrite) your favourite video files via the remote control wrist strap, and watch and playback footage anywhere via an app on your phone.
I tested this camera and think if you’re looking for something to capture your roadwork for added security, this is the camera for you – read the full Techalogic DC-1 review.
Reasons to buy: You want a dual-lens camera but don’t need super-extended recording time
Reasons to avoid: Go for the DC2-Pro if you wanted longer battery life
Insta360 Go3S
Quality: 4K
Weight: 39g
Recording time: 38mins (increases to 140 with Action Pod)
This tiny gadget isn’t designed for horse riding or bike/motor sports specifically like many of the others in this guide, but it’s definitely worth a look if you’re into capturing footage in other parts of your life, too. It can be mounted almost anywhere (for riders probably on your chest or clipped to your helmet peak) and can be easily switched from horizontal to vertical filming, and it’s waterproof, too.
It has some clever features, including voice control, stabilisation and slow mo capture. If you use a Garmin or Apple watch while you ride, you can link up and overlay your data onto the video.
Reasons to buy: You want a fun camera that’s not limited to riding
Reasons to avoid: You want a long battery life
GoPro Hero8
Quality: 4K
Weight: 126g
Recording time: Up to 80min
This tough waterproof camera captures 4k videos and 12 megapixels photos, and benefits from video stabilisation technology, which makes your wide angle footage really clear. The GoPro headstrap (included) mounts the camera at the front and centre of your helmet. You can use the app to control your camera remotely and the rear screen is touchscreen.
It is probably the best value GoPro model for shooting footage while riding – if you want longer recording time, you can opt for the GoPro Hero9, which will give you an additional 25mins – longer than the Hero10 and Hero11 models on a single charge. If you’re only using the camera for riding, it’s unlikely the features in the later models will be worth the additional cost.
Pivo Pod Equestrian Silver
Use time: Up to 3 hours
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Previously known as both the Pivo Pod Silver and Pivo Pod Active, this clever device (known as a gimbal) works with a free-to-download app and uses your smart phone to record while automatically following your horse as it moves. The system is designed to recognise a horse’s shape (when you select horse mode) and will zoom as needed (within your phone’s capabilities) so you don’t end up appearing as a dot in the distance.
It has six tracking speeds and has up to three hours of battery life. For the best results, the pod needs to be level and set to around the horse’s chest height – you can do this with the tripod, which comes as part of the “essential kit” add-on.
H&H’s Carol Phillips tested this device and found it to be a really useful piece of kit if you ride on your own and struggle to find someone to record you. She found it easy to use once she was familiar with it, but fairly heavy on phone battery usage so not ideal for long sessions. Read Carol’s full Pivo Pod review.
Reasons to buy: If you want to track your own progress or record videos to share on socials
Reasons to avoid: If you’re looking for a ‘rider-eye view’ camera
Insta360 Flow Pro
Use time: Up to 10 hours
This clever gimbal is the first to use the Apple DockKit tracking technology (but this doesn’t stop Android users being able to use every other feature of the Flow Pro). It has a built-in selfie stick and tripod, so you don’t need to worry about keeping everything together – it’s all in one place already.
It has 360-degree infinite pan tracking, which means you can ride a 20m circle in one direction continuously and it will keep following you. This model also boasts smarter animal tracking, making it ideal for horse riders. It has excellent stabilisation capabilities, so if you like to record your riding by hand on your phone, this gadget will revolutionise the video you can produce. Plus, you can use it for up to 10 hours before you need to recharge.
Reasons to buy: If you’re looking for a fun way to capture video of all kinds.
Reasons to avoid: If you’re looking for a POV camera.
Techalogic HC-1
Quality: 2K HD
Weight: 48g
Recording time: 2½ hours
With a strong run time, this camera is great for the longer rides. It’s also waterproof, particularly lightweight and has a simple, one-button operation. You can easily view and edit the footage on the app. Unlike Techalogic’s DC-1, this camera sits front and centre of your helmet, but is attached with the same strap.
Reasons to buy: You’re on a budget but want something reliable
Reasons to avoid: You want a dual-lens camera
GoPro Hero9
Quality: 5K
Weight: 158g
Recording time: Up to 100min
The next update from the GoPro Hero8, the Hero9 is a little larger and heavier, but it gives you a bigger touchscreen and probably more importantly a larger battery for a longer recording time. You also get a slightly higher resolution, but this is only likely to be noticeable if you’re blowing images up large. It also has slightly improved stabilisation, but the Hero8 is definitely sufficient.
How to choose the best camera for horse riding
If you’re looking for a new helmet camera, consider its size and weight. In general, lightweight and compact is your best option as you’re less likely to notice its presence, while mounting a big, heavy camera on your riding hat is going to be uncomfortable on longer riders and is likely to affect your balance, too.
It’s important to check out the battery life of your prospective camera as you don’t want it to run out on you mid-ride.
As with a lot of kit that goes to the yard, your new camera is likely to be subject to knocks. Finding a camera that’s tough and durable will help it stand up to the elements and life with horses. It’s not essential to choose a waterproof camera, but if you’re likely to go riding on the beach or use your camera in all weathers, then a waterproof camera – or one that comes with a waterproof case – is handy.
Most mounted cameras are made for general sporting use, rather than horse riding specifically, but they usually come with a range of mounting accessories to allow you to attach your camera. It’s important that the camera is held securely in order to capture good footage, but also to prevent it falling off, particularly when you’re riding at speed. However, the camera also needs to be able to break away if it suffers a direct impact, so it doesn’t cause injury.
Other horse riding cameras we considered
I tested a range of models to help narrow down the best cameras for horse riding. The Cambox V3+ was the lightest camera I put to the test at just 40g! However, I think if you like the benefits of a Cambox then the V4 Pro is worth the extra money. Newer GoPro models will give you excellent footage and if you’re filming professionally this might be worth it – but for the average rider the Hero8 and Hero9 are plenty good enough.
What is a gimbal?
A gimbal is a device that stabilises a camera and allows it to rotate freely while remaining level. They’re really handy for capturing smooth footage, especially when shooting handheld or on an unsteady surface – and some feature AI-tracking capabilities, too. Examples in this guide include the Pivo Pod Equestrian and the Insta360 Flow Pro.
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