Safety standards for horse riding hats

Home -> Articles -> Riding hats safety

All riding hats must conform to clear safety standards. You should always make sure that when you buy a new horse riding hat that it has passed the stringent safety tests that are carried out on helmets. If you buy a riding hat from a reputable equestrian retailer, such as Dogwood, then you can be sure that safety is a priority.

These days' manufacturers are able to make riding hats of a very high standard. Riding hats are strong, lightweight and comfortable. There are a variety of standards for the various different equestrian disciplines. The current standards are as follows:

BS EN (European Standard) 1384: 1997

This standard has replaced the British Standards for riding hats and jockey skull caps. This is the same as EN 1384: 1996 (but with the BS prefix) which was published by the Centre for European Normes in Brussels. The numbers are prefixed by the initials of the country which has tested the helmet. For example if the helmet is tested in Britain the prefix is BS. This European standard is much more sophisticated than the previous British standard. The injury allowed to be sustained has been reduced by 40% and bottom edge protection is now required.

PAS 015: 1994

This is the enhanced EN1384 standard from the BSI (British Standards Institute) and was introduced at formal request of the British Horse Society (BHS) following a spate of serious horse riding accidents. Riding hats built to this standard have improved protection to the crown of the head and the areas in between. Injuries to these areas of the head account for 75% of the injuries sustained in a horse riding accident.

PAS (Product Approval Specification) 015: 1998

When EN 1384 was published there were discrepancies between PAS 015 and EN 1384 which had not been predicted. This revised standard removes the differences and addresses new areas of protection, namely crush resistance and prevention of brain injury when landing on a ledged surface.

Dogwood riding hats and horse tack

Dogwood supplies a fine range of equine equipment including the most advanced riding helmets and safety equipment all of which conform to current safety standards. We specialise in all horse riding equipment and outdoor products for those taking part in a range of equestrian and countryside pursuits.

For jodhpurs, skull caps, gaiters, whips and all other horse related products browse our collection of the finest quality equestrian products you can buy.

Site Design by