Safety

More changes to Grand National fences

Aintree racecourse looks set to roll out newly designed Grand National fences in order to improve safety in the iconic race

British riders urged to nominate role models in equestrian safety awards

Nominations are now open for the 2012 equestrian safety awards organised by the US-based group Riders4Helmets

RS-tor safety aid now available with extra long strap

A new RS-tor rider safety aid has been launched that has an extra long strap which means it now fits treeless and side saddles.

Top rider to advise on building safer team chase courses

Four-times national team chasing champion Debbie Topping is running a course-building seminar today (22 September) as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety

Calls for a ban on sulky road racing in Ireland

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has called for a ban on sulky racing in Ireland

Dangers of self-closing gates to horses and riders highlighted

The British Horse Society has conducted a trial to look at the dangers of self-closing gates to horses and riders

Cross-country penalties no longer automatic if frangible pin breaks

The FEI bureau has changed the rule to allow the ground jury of an event to decide if penalties for breaking a frangible pin on a cross-country course should be awarded

Should eventers need a licence to compete in higher level competitions?

The question of rider licensing was on the agenda at the eventing round table and an emphasis was put on personal responsibility for rider safety

Are more Grand National changes needed?

Frangible pins will be free to horse trials organisers

Free frangible cross-country pins, which are designed to prevent rotational falls over fixed obstacles, are now available

Horse falls through 'flimsy' floor of Robinsons trailer

Concern has been raised over the quality of the floors in some older Robinsons Requisite 200 trailers

Hat warning from mum whose daughter suffered horrific fall

Mother reinforces value of wearing riding hat after daughter's face was reconstructed with wire and metal plates

New safety scheme for BHS members launched

The BHS has teamed up with the British Equestrian ID Service to offer riders free support in the event of an incident

BD considers making helmets mandatory in dressage competitions

Dressage riders are being canvassed as British Dressage (BD) considers making safety helmets mandatory

New safety mobile phone could save riders' lives

The Sonim XP3 Sentinel, which can be programmed to send out a distress signal in case of a fall, could be a lifesaver for riders

FEI 'strongly recommends' that dressage riders wear hats

International dressage riders are being urged to wear safety helmets when training at home and warming up at shows

New safety product stops broken rug clips and straps

Safe-Gum is a rubber rug clip attachment that can be fixed onto chest, surcingle and fillet or leg strap clips, but breaks in an emergency — rather than the rug.

Tests say Point Two air jackets are safer, but by how much?

Horse industry and safety experts have reacted with caution to impact testing done on the Point Two equine air jacket

New hi-vis riding kit code to help safety standards

A new certification scheme has been introduced to make it easier for riders to ensure they are wearing high-visibility garments that comply with British safety standards

British Eventing introduces new rules to improve safety

Riders competing in their first British Eventing competitions must start at BE100 (pre-novice) instead of novice level from July, under new rules designed to improve safety