HATS AND BODY ARMOUR

Many of life's most enjoyable activities also involve risks, horse riding is no different. At one time or another a rider no matter how experienced will probably take a fall, so it is important to wear safety equipment to help protect against serious injury.

RIDING HATS

The most important piece of  safety equipment when riding is a helmet which will help protect your head from injury! A riding hat is lined with a material which is like microscopic bubble wrap. It is the 'bubbles' bursting which absorbs the impact. The hard outer shell helps spread any contact over a larger load bearing area. After an impact the outer shell may appear undamaged, but some or all the 'bubbles' in the inner lining may have burst, so it is important the helmet is replaced after any impact. The expected life of a riding hat which has not had any damage is approximately five years.

BUYING YOUR RIDING HAT

The fit of a riding hat is very important as a helmet that moves a lot on the head will give significantly less protection. A well fitting hat will offer you the protection the hat was designed to give. At LEONARD COOMBE MASTER SADDLERS all our staff are manufacture trained and hold CHARLES OWEN fitting certificates. Because of the importance of a riding hat being well fitted we insist it has been fitted on the person it is for by a trained member of staff. As all riding hats are NON RETURNABLE (due to safety reasons) we ask people to allow a little time for fitting which includes keeping the helmet on in store for a short time to make sure you don't get a headache and it stays fitting snugly.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT ABOUT RIDING HAT SAFETY STANDARDS

CARING FOR YOUR RIDING HAT

Your riding hat is designed to be weaker than your head. Do not do anything to your hat you would not to your head. Caution should be taken when cleaning or dry your riding hat as they are sensitive to heat and solvents. Cleaning of the inside should be done with a specialist product following the instructions and remember to first test a small section in case of any allergic reactions. After riding store your riding hat in a warm dry place. DO NOT DRY IN FRONT OF A FIRE OR ON A RADIATOR. Mud on a velvet is best left to dry then brushed off. The pile on the fabric can be revived hold the riding hat in the steam of a boiling kettle for a short time.

YOUR RIDING HAT SHOULD NOT BE DRY CLEANED OR EXPOSED TO SOLVENTS

BODY PROTECTORS

Body armour is a foam like vest vest designed to be worn over a thin layer of clothing, and under thicker garments such as coats. Body armour is  designed to offer some protection to the back and chest against impacts caused by falling from a horse onto soft or hard ground or hitting of an object such as a tree. A fallen rider my also be kicked or trodden on.

Injuries can not be entirely prevented by any safety equipment but may be reduced in severity.

BUYING YOUR BODY PROTECTOR

Like riding hats the effectiveness of a body protector depends on selecting the right one for the job and correct fitting. All the staff at LEONARD COOMBE MASTER SADDLERS are trained to fit body protectors by the  company that produces the well known Rodney Powell body protectors.  Our most  popular body protectors are from Rodney Powell and Air-o-wear both manufactures offer a huge range of sizes and back lengths as well as a made to measure service. If we don't have one in stock that fits we can take measurements and order you one.

FIND OUT ABOUT BODY ARMOUR STANDARDS  

CARING FOR YOUR BODY PROTECTOR

Temperature: The impact absorbing materials used in the body protectors are sensitive to temperature and perform best between 5°C - 25°C. If the body protector is exposed to low temperatures the foam may become brittle and break so in these circumstances, before using, allow to return to the ambient temperature range when the foam will regain its flexibility. Above 25°C the foam will become excessively soft and its performance may be reduced.

Inspection: We recommend that you check your body protector regularly for wear and tear. Damage to the impact absorbing materials may be apparent by reduced thickness or a change in feel. If in doubt, replace your garment. In the event of a fall where the garment has had a serious impact it should be replaced

When cleaning your body armour never use any solvents and always dry away from strong heat. Please always check the body protectors label and clean following the instructions.

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 9AM-5:30PM

TELEPHONE: 01626 204099 

EMAIL: mail@leonardcoombe.co.uk

13 HIGHWEEK STREET, NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON. TQ12 1TG