Airbags in riding are made under the form of a jacket that you can wear over your clothes. The jacket is connected by a cable to the saddle and a CO2 canister that will start to inflate the jacket in less than half a second in case of a fall. The airbags’ aim is to protect the rider before touching the ground. Airbags mainly protect the back, neck, ribs and organs, but also hips and coccyx of riders.

 

These airbags were inspired by motorbike jackets, but adapted to equestrian sports. They're lightweight, and allow the wearer enough freedom of movement so that inflation isn’t mistakenly activated during a jump.

 

Airbags were firstly used by professional riders, who have highlighted on many cases how they can save lives. In 2009, during Eventing European Championships, Karim Laghouag made the fatal fall. The horse fell on him, but luckily he was wearing an Airbag and wasn’t injured. He confessed to TF1: “The jacket made me avoid a lot of injuries, and the worst too.“

 

A lot of riders bought these jackets because of their own accidents. “The need of Airbags comes after a bad fall while jumping obstacles. That day I lost my clavicle and my self-confidence,“ says Morgane Kerlaux, amateur rider.

 

Airbags allow riders to avoid injuries and gain back their confidence after an accident.

 

“The first time I fell with the airbag, I completely forgot I had it on, and when I fell it was like falling on a sofa,“  says Maeva Rannou, amateur rider. “Undeniably, I feel safer.“

 

For Maeva and Morgane, the main disadvantages of airbags are their hefty prices (around £400). However, they both think that airbags should become a basic security tool as helmets are.