How do you choose between an air jacket, a body protector and a back protector?
Each type of protection meets specific requirements for impact absorption and mobility in the saddle:
- Inflatable protection: Connected to the saddle by a lanyard, the airbag protects the vital areas in a fall. The Spark jacket comes in several versions suited to everyday riding, such as the Spark Manège and Spark Hippodrome models, or the Harcour air jackets.
- Full body protector: Made of dense foam panels, it protects the torso from direct impact, like the Bodyprotector 4 Safe Senior by HARRY'S HORSE or the QHP models.
- Spine protection: For freer riding without covering the whole torso, a back protector gives targeted cushioning along the spine, like the Riding Back Protector Vest by HARRY'S HORSE.
Which riding body protector should you choose for an adult or a child?
The rider's build determines how snug the fit is and how comfortable it feels in the saddle:
- For adult riders: The Equithème BELT adult body protector offers a wrap-around structure, while the Freejump X'AIR SAFE combines foam protection with inflatable technology.
- For young riders: To equip a junior with Equithème children's gear, the Equithème BELT children's body protector and the EQUITHÈME Mesh Junior back protector are suitable options. The TATTINI children's body protector and the pink junior Bodyprotector by HARRY'S HORSE round off the range for those starting out on ponies.
This type of Equithème body protector gives young riders peace of mind as they learn.
How do you look after an air jacket and change the gas cartridge?
Keeping your equipment in good condition depends on regularly checking the lanyard and the CO2 cartridge. After any fall that has triggered the jacket, the Spark airbag cartridge must be replaced before you ride again.
- For the Spark system: To re-arm a Spark 2 air jacket or a Manège model, use the Spark cartridge specified in the instructions. The complete Spark 2 lanyard, the Spark 2 saddle attachment and the Spark 2 trigger ball also let you replace wear parts.
- For other models: If you use a Pénélope airbag, we offer the ball lanyard for the PENELOPE Airlight2 jacket, the PENELOPE Airlight 2 saddle attachment and the Freejump cartridge for PENELOPE/EQUITHEME AIR2 / AIRSAFE airbags.