Keeping your child safe in the saddle is every parent’s top priority, which is why choosing the best children’s body protectors for horse riding is so important. Whether they’re just starting out or competing regularly, a properly fitted body protector offers vital impact protection in the event of a fall or accident. 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.
Body protectors are also increasingly commonplace in riding schools and at Pony Club, where they are recommended for all riding. Wherever you choose to buy, we strongly recommend that you have your body protector for horse riding fitted by a professional at a BETA-trained retailer as body protectors can’t be appropriately fitted by simply selecting your age or clothing size.
Best children’s body protectors for horse riding
Racesafe HX3 Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Navy or black – custom covers are available separately
Sizes: Young rider in a range of sizes and lengths
RRP: From £160
Reasons to buy: Lightweight, breathable design, ergonomically shaped to fit smaller frames, less bulky than others
Reasons to avoid: Popular new style so the stock can be low
This is the newest body protector on the market and it’s available in children’s sizes. The HX3 from Racesafe is their latest development for those looking for the highest level of protection at an affordable price point. The HX3 has a hexagonal foam structure that flexes, adjustable straps, is accessible, and has reduced thickness for improved movement, making it their thinnest level 3 body protector.
If you’re looking for top-tier safety and comfort without having to go for the top price point, this would be a solid choice. Plus, it has the added bonus of the custom covers to blend seamlessly with your child’s favourite cross-country colours.
Charles Owen Kontor Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child M–XL, in a range of back lengths
RRP: From £160
Reasons to buy: The bungee side fastening makes self-adjustments a breeze, super-flexible
Reasons to avoid: Does not cater for the younger rider as it starts at size medium
It’s described as super-flexible and is designed with blocks and panels that are filled with 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 you get when adjusting a Velcro fastened body protector.
Champion Titanium Ti22 Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black or gunmetal grey
Sizes: Infant, child or youth, in a range of sizes and lengths
RRP: From £137.99 (infant), £188.99 (child)
Reasons to buy: Heavy duty front zip for ease of use, available in infant sizes, flexible style
Reasons to avoid: Lace adjustment at the side some may find this fiddly
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.
Harry Hall Legend Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child XS–L
RRP: £114.95
Reasons to buy: Unisex fit, breathable and reflective piping for added visibility
Reasons to avoid: Not many size variations
This body protector is lightweight, fully adjustable and approved to BETA Level 3 (2018). It has a highly breathable and lightweight air mesh outer and durable rip stop fabric for durability. The reflective piping detailing offers added visibility. Fully adjustable with easy fit dual side straps for a customisable secure fit.
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 £190
Reasons to buy: Custom covers available for personalised look, mix-and-match front/back sizing
Reasons to avoid: Most expensive option in this guide
The Motion3 is 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.
Fomo Flip Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black, pink or blue – replaceable covers are available separately
Sizes: Young rider XS–XL
RRP: From £160
Reasons to buy: Tested up to 65% above industry standards, flexible design washable and replaceable covers
Reasons to avoid: Only one back length
The Fomo Flip body protector delivers the same DION foam safety technology as the adult range in a lightweight, flexible design perfectly proportioned for growing riders. It actively moulds to your child’s unique body shape, delivering a custom-fit feel with maximum freedom of movement. It has washable and replaceable outer covers for easy washing and colour choice.
Rhinegold Pro Comfort Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child S–XL
RRP: £69.50
Reasons to buy: Low price point, cheapest in this guide
Reasons to avoid: No zip
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.
Mackey Equi-Sential Flexi Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child XS–XL
RRP: From £99.95
Reasons to buy: Flexible segments at lower price point
Reasons to avoid: Not the most modern look
This block structure body protector is a great option for riding lessons and is designed to maximise movability and adapt smoothly to 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: £120
Reasons to buy: Easy-on front zip, machine-washable outer
Reasons to avoid: Only one back length
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.
Champion Liber8 Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Infant, child or youth, in a range of sizes and lengths
RRP: From £169
Reasons to buy: Offers a wide size range with mix-and-match front/back sizing, heavy duty front zip, streamlined design
Reasons to avoid: One of the most expensive body protectors in this guide
The Liber8 body protector offers a tailored fit for the female rider’s body type and chest size – but this is adapted for children. The streamlined design gives a sleek, professional appearance. It features silicone tabs and adjustable straps at the waist and shoulders, ensuring a secure, personalised fit.
With low-cut armholes and a high-cut design at the hips, the Liber8 offers great freedom of movement. Its layered foam construction provides enhanced impact absorption without restricting mobility.
Steeds Easy Fit II Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black
Sizes: Child XXS–L
RRP: £119
Reasons to buy: Plenty of adjustment to accommodate growth spurts
Reasons to avoid: No back length size options
This body protector has a front zip fastening for ease of getting on and off and the movable panels offer freedom of movement. With adjustment at the hip and shoulder you can adjust it to fit your individual size.
Harry Hall Zeus Children’s Body Protector
Standard: BETA level 3 (2018)
Colours: Black or pink
Sizes: Child S–XL
RRP: £98.95
Reasons to buy: One of the cheaper options, front clip closure might suit your child better than a zip
Reasons to avoid: Not as modern as some of the others
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.
Does my child need a body protector for horse riding?
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 the children’s body protectors for horse riding in this guide conform to the latest BETA level 3 standard (2018).
How long do body protectors last?
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 the first day they wore it. Coupled with that, 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.
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.
You might also like:
Best air jackets for the ultimate protection, comfort and performance – options to suit every rider
10 riding hats that are perfect for children
10 body protectors that meet the current standards
A handy guide to horse riding kit for beginners
Horse & Hound’s expert guide to riding kit for children
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