The best children’s body protectors for horse riding are designed to keep your child safe. It’s also really important that they are comfortable and easy to adjust so that you don’t end up having a battle every time they need to put it on.
A body protector should provide your child with an extra layer of protection and will absorb the shock impact caused by a fall, kick or being caught under a horse’s hooves. The best body protectors can be used by all riders, from the complete beginner who is just starting lessons to the elite riders you’ll see at the Olympics. They are compulsory if you’re eventing at any level, are recommended for all riding Pony Club (and required for cross-country and pony racing), and must be worn if competing in workers classes under BSPS rules.
More riders than ever before are opting to wear body protectors and the latest designs are more lightweight and flexible than they have ever been in the past. When choosing body protectors for children, it’s worth considering designs that have adjustable features so that the fit lasts that little bit longer. Children can find some body protectors uncomfortable, so finding one that’s flexible, quick to put on and easy to adjust is beneficial.
Wherever you choose to buy, we strongly recommend that you have your body protector fitted by a professional at a BETA-trained retailer as body protectors can’t be fitted as easily as selecting a child’s age or clothing size.
What standard do body protectors need to be?
There are three levels of protection that one of the best children’s body protectors for horse riding can offer, but if you’re shopping for a child you should look for BETA level 3 (2018) as this is the highest standard of protection for horse riding. Moreover, if your governing body or organisation (for example, The Pony Club) requires that you wear a body protector, this the standard they’re looking for.
Governing bodies and rider organisations that require a body protector no longer recognise the 2009 purple label, so if there’s any chance your child is going to compete or attend a Pony Club event, make sure your body protector is up to standard with a blue 2018 label.
All body protectors in the list below conform to the latest BETA level 3 standard (2018).
How long do body protectors last?
Although even the best children’s body protectors for horse riding usually offer a good level of adjustment, it’s likely that your child will outgrow theirs and need a new one before it has reached the end of its life. Under normal circumstances, a body protector should be replaced at least every three to five years because after this time the impact absorption properties of the foam may have started to decline, which means it will no longer provide your child with the same level of protection that it did they first day they wore it.
If your child has a heavy fall, check the body protector for dents immediately. The foam will return to its original shape within 30 minutes, but a dent would suggest that this part of the body protector will have lost some absorption properties and you should, therefore, replace it.
Taking good care of a body protector means that it will probably last closer to five years than three, which is handy if you have multiple children who are into riding. Avoid leaving it lying around at the yard, in the lorry where it might get damaged, and don’t store it in your hot car or damp tack room, as all of these locations are likely to cause it to deteriorate faster. When not in use, it’s best to hang it up in a wardrobe at home with the zips and Velcro fastened.
Best children’s body protectors for horse riding
Charles Owen Kontor Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child M–XL
RRP: From £160
This is the newest body protector on the market and it’s available in children’s sizes. It’s described as super-flexible and it’s designed with blocks and panels that are filled with high-impact-absorbing foams. It has a sleek look, with an easy zip fastening and adjustments at the chest, waist and shoulders for the perfect fit. The side fastening is a bungee so you can avoid some of the pulling about that you get when adjusting a Velcro fastened body protector.
Racesafe Motion3 Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Navy – custom covers are available separately
Sizes: Young rider XS–XL, in a range of lengths
RRP: From £184
The Motion3 is Racesafe’s lightest and most breathable BETA level 3 body protector ever – it’s a great option if you’re looking for top-tier technical features and a smart look. It has more than 120 hinged segments, which ensures your child will feel comfortable and like they can move, as well as safe. The sizing has been redesigned for a perfect fit and you can even mix and match lengths at the front and back.
A real selling point of the Racesafe options are the custom covers that you can personalise with a wide range of colours and patterns – a great option if you’ve got an aspiring eventer.
Champion Titanium Ti22 Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black or gunmetal grey
Sizes: Infant, child, youth or adult, in a range of sizes and lengths
RRP: From £118.25 (for child sizes)
This flexible segmented body protector from Champion is made of a military grade outer mesh and ultra-lightweight foam. It has a cool-feel antibacterial inner lining that will help keep your child and the body protector itself feeling fresh. It has 100 flexible sections with clever hidden hinging technology so that it flexes and moves with you, which makes it comfortable and easy to move in.
Rhinegold Pro Comfort Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child S–XL
RRP: £69.50
This body protector is a great budget option that still meets the standard required. It is the cheapest in this guide, yet still features smaller segments of padding than some competitors, which gives a more comfortable feel with greater flexibility and movement. It’s lightweight and has double touch tape fastening with coloured safety markers that help you adjust the fit. It also has a front easy clip-in belt with elasticated straps for comfort.
Charles Owen Airowear Reiver II Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child XS–XL
RRP: From £140
This is Airowear’s entry-level body protector that has been specifically designed for young children. You can adjust the size at the shoulders, chest and waist, which helps with the growing rider. It is made of a multi-layer, lightweight impact-absorbing foam and has a wipe-clean fabric cover that makes it easy to care for.
Racesafe ProVent 3.0 Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Wide range of sizes and lengths
RRP: From £169
This is Racesafe’s most popular body protector as it’s been out for many years. It’s lightweight and breathable, but has now been surpassed by the Motion3 – but it’s still a really great choice if you’re looking for a comfortable and highly adjustable body protector. It has the versatility to fit all shapes and sizes of rider and it features independently hinged sections and elasticated adjustments to offer increased movement and comfort.
Charles Owen Airowear Outlyne Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black/graphite
Sizes: Kids or teens in a range of sizes and lengths
RRP: From £140 (for child sizes)
This Charles Owen body protector is designed to offer a tailored fit for children, which maximises protection while allowing unrestricted movement. The teen sizes pull in at the waist and are darted at the front to provide a close fit, while the kids’ sizes have adjustable chest, waist and shoulder fastenings for the growing rider, which means it will last them as long as possible.
Mackey Equi-Sential Flexi Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child XS–XL
RRP: From £107.75 (for child sizes)
This block structure body protector is a great option for riding lessons and is designed to maximise movability and adapt smoothly to the your child’s shape. The width and length can be easily adjusted by touch-tape fastener, and the outer cover is made of dirt-repellent polyester that can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Whitaker Pro Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child XS–L
RRP: £100
This body protector features articulated and anatomically shaped panels that conform to the body thanks to your body heat. It has shoulder and waist straps that offer easy width and length adjustability, and it fastens at the front with a zip, which makes it easy for your child to put on themselves.
Harry Hall Zeus Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black or pink
Sizes: Child S–XL
RRP: £98.95
This body protector is made up of separate lightweight shock-absorbing foam panels that mould around the body to give a close fit. It has a mesh outer with bright contrast binding and reflective piping, and is finished with red fitting indicators to ensure correct fit and protection on every ride. It doesn’t have a zip, which means it can be harder for a child to put on.
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