More than 1,850 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “What safety equipment do you wear when riding your horse?”

• Riding boots: 87.49% (1,630)
  
• Helmet: 79.01% (1,472)
  
• Gloves: 47.18% (879)
  
• Leg protection (chaps/shin or knee guards): 39.94% (744)
  
• Other (share your comments below): 7.51% (140)
  
• Body protector/safety vest: 6.92% (129)

Readers shared what they usually wore when riding their horses in the comments below.

Results of weekly polls from TheHorse.com are published in The Horse Health E-Newsletter. Published every week, this e-newsletter offers news on diseases, veterinary research, health events, and in-depth articles on common equine health conditions and what you can do to recognize, avoid, or treat them. Sign up for our e-newsletters using the form above or on our e-newsletter page.  

Look for a new poll on TheHorse.com every week!

• Limpet anti-slip saddle pad held my saddle in place when my horse spooked and saved my life


• i NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT HEAD PROTECTION/HOW STUPID COULD ANYONE BE!!


• I wear non baggy clothing


• chest protector when jumping


• Usually None


• I think a riding helmet is a must and surprised so many rodeo events on TV with no helmets


• I wear Jeans to keep ticks off of my lower body


• cell phone, mini 1st aid kit


• caged, endurance stirrups


• cell phone as well as a pocket equine knife


• Always wear boots around horses but admit no other safety equipment


• Body vest only when jumping or breaking horses


• flourscent vest and tail bandage


• shirt that covers the shoulders


• i know its not safe, but i hop on my horse bareback wearing flip flops


• cell phone when out on the trail


• goggles


• What people wear for protection while riding a horse, is their business and choice and no one elses.


• I learned the hardway with a concusion to wear a helmet even if I now ride western.


• No one rides w/o helmet. Horse can trip/step in hole. Safety doesn’t have to do w/ riders skills.


• No beanie protector no ride-my rule even at 48 yrs young!


• “Bubble wrap”…just kidding!


• I don’t ride-I drive. Helmets are still vital for safety!


• I wear a neck pouch with 3 compartments. I carry antihistamines,aspirin,cellphone,antacids,peptobis


• body protector for trail riding


• reflective gear for rider & horse


• Never without helmet – persuade others to get one especially for trails


• Body protector/vest only when on the x-country course


• The helmet depends on what I’m doing: playing polo, jumping: yes riding my western pleasure horse no


• Only wear vest on the trail. Half chaps not full.


• If I had to put on all the above I’d be to tired to ride.


• Hat and Sunscreen in the desert!


• Cell Phone


• Never wear tank tops! If you fall, scars are garaunteed.


• Long sleeve shirts


• Denim jeans


• I.D. tag


• although i think it’s personal choice as i get older i realize the need to wear protective gear


• water cell phone


• A helmet and boots when riding colts, always wear boots when competing.


• Long sleeves, heavy denim pant, cowboy riding boots


• usually none


• cell phone on ME not horse! 🙂


• sunglasses (bicyclists)to keep dibris out of my eyes.


• depends on the activity, the age of the horse


• I don’t ride, my horses are companions and pets.


• i wear everything but vest,just cracked ribs from fall,will wear vest now!!


• Gloves for support and good riding boots for strength in my feet.


• Always have my cellphone.


• shoe boot, compass, watch and cellphone (for emergency needs only)


• I used to wear a helmet, but since learning Natural Horse Man Ship I don’t feel the need


• After falling off my horse the third time…. I finally got smart. Today, I NEVER ride w/o a helmet


• eyeglasses too! rocks thrown up by running horses can cause serious injury


• My daughter (10) and I never ride without our helmets!


• compass and whistle since I ride in the forests in Northern CA and got lost once for 4 hours


• Always a helmet


• Last year I fractured two back bones my horse spooked


• knee pads! I’m a polo player 🙂


• FIRST AID KIT IN SADDLEBAGS


• I guess I do not wear any “safety” equipment


• sunscreen!


• All my students use a breastcollar on their horses…


• I wear all of the above on green horses.


• sometimes a reflective vest; sometimes bells


• Foolishly, I wear a helmet only when riding an unfamiliar or young horse.


• I used to hate wearing a helmet. Now that I am breaking my 5yo Arab gelding,I think it is necessary


• After having to learn to walk again at 38 yrs old, helmets are NOT negociable at my farm


• I am ashamed to say NOTHING.


• helmet, helmet, helmet. 17 staples in my scalp convinced me.


• can’t beleive most riders I see use no head protection. I feel like I am riding naked without it


• Safety vest when on a hunter pace or if my horse seems very spooky


• Grew up riding with the always helmet rule, so still do. Jump in a vest and all kids wear H/V/B/G


• I always carry my cell phone for more than one reason..not only for my own saftey but the saftey of


• always HELMET, quality tack, including running martingale


• Always Boots and Jeans,a Cell Phone is a must


• I do ride in a helmet when the situation requires


• Always have a working cell phone in my pocket/ having a gps is also a bonus


• Reflective items on horse & myself when riding in approaching darkness and/or dark cloudy days.


• I don’t use a helmet when riding (though I should) but do use it when driving my horse.


• reflective vest when appropriate


• We also have tapaderos on our saddles.


• Sunscreen! Cell Phone, First aid kit, xtra lead, all purpose tool.


• When I ride English I wear a helmet and in cold weather I wear chaps and gloves


• a smile


• The helmet has kept me out of the hospital more than once.


• In 05 I stove in the back of my helmet and got a fractured skull.No hat, no me!


• Cell phone


• ALWAYS a helmet – ne excuses. Not worth the risk otherwise.


• I wear long sleeves in the woods to protect me from breaking out from pine resin, etc.


• Cell phone on my belt clip


• safety stirrups


• I carry a hoofpick, pepper spray and a cell phone in a fanny pack.


• Riding without a helmet is as dangerous as driving without seatbelts fastened.


• I don’t need to protect myself from my horse


• and quick release stirrups


• After a recent fall I am looking into getting a safety vest and helmet.ID card, cell phn/epi pen


• none


• ride with careful sane people


• I always wear a helmet! I’ve seen too many injuries when riders were simply walking to the arena.


• I always wear shoes with heels, usually paddock boots; fully certified helmets can cost < $30


• ride with a shoe with a heel as well


• I ware Pants & T-shirt & my ariat boots


• ALWAYS carry a cellphone


• always boots with heel and helmet!


• Boots and Helmet are a must to help avoid injuries. Stuff happens


• No rider should ever ride a horse without a halmet strapped on.


• ALWAYS wear a riding helmet and boots!


• No protection, per say. Just cowboy boots.


• You can get a good helmet for $30.00. Cheap insurance for my family and me.


• none


• Body protector only on cross country


• I ride a Mule so i don’t need much


• Always always wear a helmet-this goes for you Western, saddleseat, etc riders as well. You are not “


• Thinking about getting a vest — over 60 riders don’t bounce as well


• None


• Sometimes gloves too


• I always thought helmets were dorky, but mine has saved my head quite a few times


• Always wear jeans–never shorts .


• cell phone


• Carry a cell phone


• Just started wearing a helmet…had a bad fall and a head trama after encountering a bear.


• none


• safety stirrups


• none


• I never get on a horse without wearing my helmet.


• I wish our Western community was more supportive of wearing helmets maybe the new Troxel will help.


• I always wear my helmet and riding boots


• Reflective vest for road riding, safety glasses for trail riding


• Sunglasses for eye protection on trail


• Fluorescent and Reflective waistcoat etc


• I wear what is necessary for what I am doing.


• Helmets are lifesaving! Never without


• Sunscreen and sunglasses are also important!


• SAFETY first! I’m on the hunt for a vest too.


• I wear a tipperary vest when jumping outdoors.


• I have a Arab Mare it is needed


• cell phone


• NEVER, EVER ride without a helmet


• oversized, covered stirrups


• tack in excellent condition


• I had a stroke. My balance is not good. Need all the protection I can get.


• Bucking strap or martingale as a grabber


• tighter fitting clothes so they don’t get caught up on anything


• safety glasses instead of eye glasses


• I should wear my helmet..I have a nice one, but rarely wear it to hack around.


• Always wear riding jeans with additional inner leg protection


• on show horses i dont usually wear protector safety vest, but exercising racehorses i do.


• Always wear helmet & heeled boots, usually wear half chaps (or tall boots) & gloves.


• But only when my partner is acting a little stressed.


• none of the above!


• crop


• none


• For safety’s sake, I ALWAYS


• break-away stirrups


• Alway a Helmet and Riding Boots, never get on a horse with out them!


• I’ve switched to peacock stirrups after seeing how they have saved my daughter from being stuck!


• peacock irons


• Break-Away Stirrups!


• none


• cell phone (noise turned off) for emergency calls if your horse dumps you


• nothing


• cell phone


• Sunscreen,Sunglasses,and 1/2 chaps when riding English


• I usually always wear a helmet, but not always boots/chaps depending on if im riding bareback or not


• Really, really important for safety — my cell phone


• I have found the body protectors to be HORRIBLY unsafe.


• Millers heels down shoes, helmet and half chaps


• Even in hot weather I wear long sleeves to protect from the sun, scrapes and bugs.


• Chaps only in Winter


• Helmets are required due to insurance issues thru most of the state; CT


• Our barn motto, no helmet, no ride


• Appropriate riding sneakers/shoes. Hate boots.


• Saddle


• Glad I do after a BAD fall left me with only a minor concussion & bruises


• cell phone


• My helmet saved my life just two weeks ago. I would be dead w/out it.


• a good saddle


• 1/2 Chaps, Full Chaps


• Parachute


• New helmet every three years even if there are no crashes


• Peacock stirrups even though I’m an adult rider.


• SPF 30+ !!!


• Cell phone!


• Lately I have worn schooling chaps on trail rides.


• I would not ride without my helmet.


• Cell phone


• 1/2 chaps, cell phone


• I think wearing a helmet, at the minimum, is just sensible


• What I wear for gear really depends on the horse and what I am doing with the horse


• Maximum coverage sun glasses; sun block lip balm; long sleeves; brimmed hat; knife


• Knee brace


• wear a vest only if it quite cool. Balance a sure heat stroke VS possible rib fracture


• Large measure of common sense


• my brain – think before your do – anything


• I’ll admit I only wear safety equipment when working other’s horses. My mare is 28.


• None but have made teenage nieces wear helmets and boots since started riding at two


• If jumping XC body protector as wellBreeches to keep from getting blisters on my inside of knees


• Cell phone!


• I am a driver not a rider so riding boots & leg protection don’t apply.


• Don’t usually wear it, but always have my helmet in case I am required to. Too ‘old school’!


• Unless you are a beginner I don’t think you need to be armored to ride.


• I NEVER ride without a helmet! Usually, boots are second nature!


• The body protection is worn only when jumping.


• Plan to buy vest in next few months


• Sunglasses w/safety lenses


• Cell phone, on person-not horse. Cell +helmet saved my life.


• Blaze orange helmet cover and saddle pad in hunting season


• Safety Equip has saved me from serious injury on many occasions throughout my professional career


• Dog tags and a flat whistle. Make sure what you put them on will break or release if you get wrapped


• Carry a cell phone


• Helmets are so necessary for “all ages”! Years of riding, I wear a helmet tacking up & down!


• Neon orange vest to increase visibility to others using the trails, ATV’s, bicyclers, hikers, hunter


• winter falls hurt. buy puffy coat! it really works, but you never have it on when you actually fall.


• If jumping, then a vest and chaps as well


• None


• One might consider a cell phone as safety equipment, especially if you are trail riding alone.


• Sun block shirts


• If riding with a saddle always have shoes on with a heal.


• Jeans, Shoes, Shirt


• I also wear a RoadID bracelet, which has my emergency info on it


• A lot of prayer


• I never get on a horse without a helmet


• None……Barb


• my horse always wears wraps


• Goggles


• Body protector only when im doing xcountry


• It depends on where I am riding what I wear.


• Sometimes Gloves


• Helmet & safe footwear–Every Time, Every Ride!


• cell phone, whistle, light wt. emergency cover, bandaids, names and phones #’s on horse’s bridle/sad


• Sometimes gloves


• stirrups with open (no) sides


• 2 broken helmets but an unscathed skull made me a real believee


• Cell phone on me (not on the horse). Pistol if we’re off the property.


• Anyone who rides a horse without a helmet is nutz!!


• It is extreemly important to where a hard hat & proper foot wear( boots with a heel) when riding!


• safety glasses


• I wear body protection when jumping.


• Should wear a helmet, but I don’t . I do have my children wear riding boots and helmets.


• i never ride without a helmet!


• Don’t forget the cell phone even if riding in the round pen. Better safe than sorry.


• None


• safety stirrups


• I always wear a helmet. You can thank my 4-H leader for that! It has saved me a few times!!


• Helmet: always, gloves: sometimes, boots, chaps: always, safety vest: for x-c jumping: almost always


• I don’t always wear a helmet but I’m better than I used to be.


• knee brace for bad knee


• vest on x-country course or riskier situations


• I just trail ride but protecting my body is important. I have 16 grandkids. Still enjoying them @ 64


• brain


• Sunscreen!!


• none, probably should


• I wear a velcro-strap-on cell phone holder, on my outer calf, for emergencies.


• I really haven’t used any in my 4 decades of ridding.


• Face it. Ain’t no way to keep from git’n hurt with horses!


• I consider my Equissential breeches part of my safety equipment.


• We require ASTM-SEI current approved Helmets for all riders any age and heeled shoes or boots


• Vest for cross country only


• Sujglasses if possible to protect my eyes from branches, etc.


• I always tack up with a v-breastplate to grab; that’s my ‘shoulder-harness’!


• blaze orange during hunting season, plus always carry cell phone


• padock boots and chaps


• cell phone


• Used to only wear a helmet riding english, learned my lesson the hard way…


• Cell phone!


• high viz


• Wear a safety vest when I ride xc or young horses


• I also wear break-away stirrups


• lucky hat


• I always carry a cell phone for emergencies


• everyone should wear helmets. A friend of ours was stompped to death because of no helmet!


• every time!


• I wear a body vest if I am jumping X-country only


• cell phone


• I should wear a helmet.


• Tucked in or shirts that fall above behind while standing. Longer shirts can catch on the saddle


• Helmet and gloves always; boots if using saddle; vest for XC, chaps in cold weather


• The helmet is an absolute MUST; I could go without anything else in a pinch if I had to.


• Sunscreen


• Body protector vest on occasion


• helmet/gloves all the time & either chaps or boots. Wear the vest for x-country riding/jumping


• It’s worth it because if I’m hurt then I cannot ride!


• If I didn’t wear a helmet I would have died the last time I fell. Everyone should always wear one.


• Helmet and heeled boots – always! Half chaps and gloves – usually


• I do not get on without my helmet. Saved my life at least once.


• only wear a helmet at shows and when instructing at other facilities.


• cell phone


• never ride with loose clothing .. nothing to get hooked up on saddle horn .. use breakaway stirrups


• mouth piece


• long pants


• We always have a cell phone on trail rides and extra reins, vet wrap, & lead line.


• Only wear vest for XC, also carry a phone when not riding competition.


• I don’t ride anymore, but I drive a carriage


• carry cell phone on my person, not on the horse


• Anyone on my farm must wear a helmet ANTIME they are on a horse, even to walk


• depends on which horse and what we’re doing.


• Body protector when riding youngsters, hacking out horses for the 1st & cross-country jumping


• jodphurs and a long sleeved shirt