Air Vests: The Latest and Greatest Safety Technology for Horseback Riders

No matter the discipline, equestrians can agree that horses are unpredictable. That is why good safety equipment – like a helmet – is essential for every time you get in the saddle. Your head, however, is not the only thing that needs protection when you come off the horse. That’s where Helite Air Vests and Horse Pilot Air Vests from Mary’s Tack and Feed come into play, with inflatable cushioning that protects your neck, spine, chest, and abdomen.

What are Air Vests?

Air vests are essentially wearable airbags that clip into the saddle as you ride. Whether you wear a Helite or a Horse Pilot air vest, the mechanics are the same. Each vest comes with a replaceable cartridge of carbon dioxide (CO2), a saddle strap, and a leash. The saddle strap acts as an anchor that connects securely to the stirrup bar of your saddle, just in front of the stirrup leathers. This provides a place for the vest’s leash to clip to the saddle. The leash comes attached to a CO2 cartridge within the vest. It takes a strong force to break the leash away from the vest, ensuring the vest only inflates from the force of your body weight coming off of the horse. Breaking away from the leash causes the cartridge inside to release the CO2 and instantaneously inflate the vest, cushioning your vital organs before you hit the ground.

Tip: Remember to unclip your vest before you dismount or else the vest will accidentally inflate.

The Difference Between Helite and Horse Pilot Air Vests

Both Helite and Horse Pilot vests offer the same amount of safety and functionality. However, there are certain features that are good to consider when deciding what kind of vest to buy.

Helite vests come with a metal leash clip and a single Helite CO2 cartridge. The cartridge’s size depends on the size of the vest, so be sure to note what size cartridge you need when buying a replacement. Helite vests also come with a minimum weight requirement of 80lbs.

Horse Pilot vests come with a unique one-size-fits-all Horse Pilot cartridge that is compatible with vests of all sizes. The way the leash attaches to the saddle strap is also unique, utilizing a strong magnet to clip into the saddle, rather than a metal clip. If you need a vest with a lower minimum weight requirement, the Horse Pilot Twist'Air 2.0 Junior is designed for riders as light as 45 lbs.

No matter the brand you chose to use, Mary’s Tack and Feed offers an assortment of sizes ranging from child’s medium to adult extra large, as well as air cartridge replacements so you can reuse your vest after every time it inflates. Your safety is of the utmost importance and, just like a helmet, using an air vest is a simple step that can protect you from serious injury.