t

EQUESTRIAN BODY PROTECTION SYSTEM

K A R E N D I T K O | V I R G I N I A T E C H T H I R D Y E A R I N D U S T R I A L D E S I G N | F A L L 2 0 1 0

1

To develop a body protection system for cross country riders that provides the maximum level of protection with minimal weight and size

OB

JEC

TIV

E

2 3CO

NT

EN

TS

INT

RO

DU

CT

ION

What is cross country?

Cross country is the second phase of the equestrian competition called a three-day event or horse trials. It contains up to 40 obstacles that are made of solid natural materials, such as logs and stones. These obstacles can be up to four feet tall and nearly nine feet wide at the base and six feet wide at the top. In addition there are ditches up to twelve feet wide, drops up to six and a half feet deep and water hazards interspersed between the obstacles. These jumps, ditches and drops are designed to test the horse and rider’s endurance both physically and mentally, with many fences being designed as optical illusions or positioned in a way so the horse and rider cannot see what is on the other side until they are over the jump.

Introduction

Research

Trend Studies

Materials

Ideation

Final Design

Sources

3

6

20

28

30

44

49

4 5

Why is a body protector necessary?

Since many of the obstacles are large and intimidating looking, the horse and/or rider will misjudge how to navigate through them. When the horse and rider fails to clear an obstacle is when most injuries occur. This situation usually results in one of two outcomes: a refusal or a rotational fall. A refusal is when the horse suddenly stops before or while it is taking off to attempt to clear the obstacle. This sudden stop causes the rider to be thrown forward and often results in a fall. If a fall occurs, the rider will either hit the obstacle or the ground which can result in injury. A rotational fall is when the horse misjudges the size of the jump and ends up hitting it with its front legs after takeoff, which causes the horse to somersault mid air. This is the most dangerous kind of fall because it catapults the rider off the horse and the horse can land on top of the rider causing serious crush injuries and in many cases, death.

A body protector can help minimize injury, especially to the ribcage and vital organs.

INT

RO

DU

CT

ION Refusal

Rotational fall

Horse stops in front of the jump causing the rider to fall forward

Horse hits jump and flips over and often lands on top of the rider

INT

RO

DU

CT

ION

6 7

Injury Statistics

There is 1 accident per every 14 hours of cross country riding

20% of accidents require hospitalization

Approxmately 60% of serious injuries are to the head, neck or spine

Thoraco-lumbar (mid- and lower back) injuries are the most common spinal injury

Between 2006 and 2008, 16 riders and 13 horses died in cross country competitions

SOURCESGoldsmith, Paix (46-48), Silver (264-271)

RE

SE

AR

CH

Safety Equipment

1234

1 ASTM approved helmet• Required for all equestrian

activities• Must fit properly and have chin

strap

2 Body protector• Does not have to carry any safety

rating• Protects ribcage and vital organs• Does not protect the spine

3 Medical armband• Contains critical information for

emergency personnell in case of a fall resulting in unconsciousness. It includes health history, doctor contact information, insurance information and emergency contacts

4 Gloves• Give the rider more control and

grip on the reins• Only minimally protect hands in

the event of a fall

RE

SE

AR

CH

8 9

Safety RatingsThe two major organizations that conduct testing and offer ratings are the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association). ASTM does not have different levels of approval, but BETA offers a three level system:

BETA 1: Offers a level of protection appropriate for professional jockeysBETA 2: Offers a level of protection suitable for lower than normal risk situationsBETA 3: Offers appropriate protection for general riding

Ideally all cross country riders should be wearing body protectors approved by the ASTM that also carry a BETA 3 rating. However, since the USEA (United States Eventing Association) currently does not require body protectors to carry any sort of safety rating, many riders choose comfort over safety when choosing a body protector, which often results in riders being inadequately protected while out on the cross country course.

RE

SE

AR

CH

TR

EN

D S

TU

DY

Popular Cross Country Body Protectors

Tipperary• One of the most popular vests on the market• Paneled design and side strings allow for maximum

flexibility and adjustability• Carries a BETA 1 rating

Charles Owen• One-piece design does not allow any gaps in

protection• Front snap provides adjustabilityt• Carries a BETA 3 rating

Hit-Air• Deploys a CO2 canister to inflate the vest when

tether is broken• Thinnest, lightest body protector available• Often worn on top of TIpperary• Does not yet carry a BETA rating

10 11

Survey

46 cross country riders were surveyed about their current body protectors. They were asked about what kind of body protector they have, and whether or not they’ve experienced a fall and injuries while wearing it. They were also asked what features they like, what features they dislike, and what they would like to see in future body protectors. This information was used to determine what sort of protection cross country riders need, and what sort of equipment they would be willing to wear.

RE

SE

AR

CH

Survey questions

Do you ride cross country?

Do you compete or plan to compete in horse trials or three day events?

If yes, at which level do you compete?

What brand and model of body protector do you own?

What is the BETA rating of you body protector?

Is your body protector ASTM approved?

When do you wear your body protector?

What other clothing and protective gear do you wear while riding cross country?

Have you ever fallen while riding cross country?

Were you wearing your body protector when you fell?

Did the fall result in an injury?

If yes, what type of injury was it?

Do you believe your body protector helped prevent more serious injury? Why?

What do you like about your body protector?

What do you dislike about your body protector?

Are there any features or design changes you would like to see implemented in future body protectors and cross country equipment in general?

RE

SE

AR

CH

12 13RE

SE

AR

CH

RE

SE

AR

CH

Survey Results

15% know the BETA rating of their body protector

51% own Tipperary body protectors

22% own Charles Owen body protectors

67% know if their body protector is ASTM approved

Helmets and gloves are the most common safety equipment worn in addition to the body protector

70% have experienced a cross country fall. All were wearing their body protectors during the fall

22% of those falls resulted in injury

The most common injury suffered were head injuries. Other injuries include, neck, back, rib, and arm injuries.

83% believe that their body protectors helped prevent more serious injury

Bulkiness, awkwardness, discomfort, restrictiveness, and lack of ventilation are common complaints

Feeling of security, flexibility, adjustability, and lightness are positive features

More neck protection is a feature many of those surveyed would like to see in future body protectors

14 15

Interpretation of Results

RE

SE

AR

CH

RE

SE

AR

CH

Most of the riders surveyed own body protectors with the lowest possible safety rating, but do not know the safety rating (or lack thereof) and therefore are unknowingly putting themselves in danger.

These riders buy these body protectors because they fit their bodies the best out of all the body protecotrs currently on the market, and do not check for safety ratings. This may be because many riders assume that the body protectors are like riding helmets, which are all required to carry a high safety rating, and the few that do not carry this rating prominently display this fact somewhere on the packaging.

Weighted Matrix

Flexibility

Modularity

Adjustability

Protection

Lightweight

Mobility

Personalization

Comfort Safety Form Appearance Size Fit

10 6 8 5 4 9

7 5 8 8 7 10

8 7 7 6 5 10

4 10 10 7 8 9

9 4 6 6 8 6

9 8 7 7 6 9

3 0 4 10 8 8

x8 x10 x6 x5 x7 x9

80 60 48 25 28 81

56 50 48 40 49 90

64 70 42 30 35 90

32 100 60 35 56 81

72 40 36 30 56 54

72 80 42 35 42 81

24 0 24 50 56 72

322

333

331

364

288

352

352

Protection and mobility are the most important features of a body protector. An ideal body protector would provide the maximum amount of protection possible while still allowing for a full range of motion.

16 17RE

SE

AR

CH

Equivalent Sports

Motocross and freestyle downhill mountain biking carry similar risks to cross country horseback riding. All three sports involve traveling at high speeds across uneven terrain and over obstacles, and therefore have the same potential for injury and require the same kinds of safety equipment.

Commonly worn protective gear for motocross and mountain biking was investigated along with common injuries for both sports.

Motocross

RE

SE

AR

CH

1

2345

6

7

8

1 Helmet

2 Goggles

3 Elbow pads

4 Gloves

5 Chest protector

6 Hip protector

7 Knee pads

8 Protective boots

COMMON INJURIES

Separated shoulderFractured clavicleOccasional thoracic and lumbar injuries

18 19

Downhill Mountain Biking

RE

SE

AR

CH

1 Helmet

2 Goggles

4 Gloves

1

2

3

4

5

6 3 Elbow pads

5 Knee pads

6 Shin guards

COMMON INJURIES

Minor head injuriesShoulder injuriesHand/wrist fractures

Protective Equipment

Both motocross riders and downhill mountain bikers wear significantly more safety equipment than cross country riders, and as a result experience lower injury rates and less severe injuries. Motocross and downhill mountain biking fatalities are rare.

Chest and spine protection systems from these and other similar sports were researched, and ways to implement key features from these vests into cross country riding body protectors were investigated.

Based on information gathered from both the primary and secondary research, it was determined that a multiple part system with a dedicated neck and spine protector would be the best solution.

RE

SE

AR

CH

20 21TR

EN

D S

TU

DY

Chest Protectors

Chest protectors provide protection for the clavicle, ribcage and sternum. Since they protect the ribcage they also protect vital organs from harm. Some chest protectors also feature shoulder protection.

TR

EN

D S

TU

DY

22 23TR

EN

D S

TU

DY

Spine Protectors

TR

EN

D S

TU

DY

Spine protectors are a vital piece of equipment. Spinal injuries can lead to nerve damage, paralysis, and even death. These pieces of equipment need to be flexible to allow for movement but sturdy enough to absorb impact to protect against injury.

24 25

Undershirts with Protective Padding

Many base layers of athletic equipment for contact sports features built-in padding for additional impact protection.

TR

EN

D S

TU

DY

TR

EN

D S

TU

DY

26 27TR

EN

D S

TU

DY

Inflatable protective equipment

TR

EN

D S

TU

DY

A new and upcoming trend in protective equipment is inflatable clothing. Accelerometers or tethers attached to built-in C02 cartidges built into the equipment inflate airbags when they detect that the wearer has been dislodged from their vehicle. These work in the same way that automobile airbags function.

Since this technology is relatively new and not widely accepted as adequate protection, it is often used in conjunction with traditional protective equipment.

28 29MA

TE

RIA

LSM

AT

ER

IALS

d3o Expanded polypropylene (EPP)d3o is a thin, lightweight flexible material that hardens upon impact. This allows for maximum flexibility and comfort for protective equipment while still providing adequate protection against impact injuries.

EPP is a highly impact absorbent plastic. It is moldable to any shape and is also available in a variety of different colors. It is used in a variety of products from furniture to car bumpers.

30 31IDE

AT

ION

IDE

AT

ION

Iteration began with explorations of how the different parts might fit together, and which part would protect which parts of the body.

32 33IDE

AT

ION

IDE

AT

ION

Different sizes, shapes, and panel shape and placement for the spine protector were explored.

34 35IDE

AT

ION

IDE

AT

IONThe basic final design

consists of a line of EPP panels along the spine, with an airbag folded into the top. The back piece attaches to the chest piece at the shouders and ribcage, allowing it to be put on and taken off without assistance and while wearing a riding helmet.

36 37IDE

AT

ION

IDE

AT

ION

The chest protector must safeguard the ribcage and vital organs from harm. Explorations of panel design take into consideration that the ribcage, sternum, and collarbone must be protected.

38 39

The basic final design of the chest protector incorporates strategically placed panels that protect the ribs, sternum, and collarbone. The separate panels allow for flexibility to allow it to be form-fitting. It also features panels on the back to cover areas not protected by the spine protector. The neck hole is large enough to fit over the rider’s head while he or she is wearing a helmet. It fastens on the side with two velcro closures that allow for maximum adjustability.

IDE

AT

ION

IDE

AT

ION

40 41

The initial final design for the base layer is made of a breathable spandex material with d3o panels to protect areas not covered by the other two parts from impact, namel the shoulders and hips. It also features additional protection for the ribcage.

IDE

AT

ION

IDE

AT

ION

42 43

Security, conveniecnce and adjustability were main concerns with determining how the pieces attach to one another. Plastic snaps were considered, but the attached adjustable straps could come loose and the excess strap hanging down would be a nuisance. Backpack-like straps were also considered but deemed too insecure. Zippers come with the possibility of breaking or getting stuck. Ultimately it was decided that velcro was the best way to securely fasten the parts together while allowing for adjustability.

IDE

AT

ION

IDE

AT

ION

44 45

The final base layer design is made of a breathable spandex shirt with incorporated d3o panels that protect the collarbone, shoulders, ribcage, and hips. This shirt can be worn during the whole course of the competition, providing additional protection and comfort throughout the day.

The chest protector features EPP panels that protect the ribcage and collarbone. The segmented panel design allows the chest protector to be form-fitting. Velcro closures on the side allow the rider to adjust fit to comfortably protect all sizes of chests.

FINA

L DE

SIG

NFI

NA

L D

ES

IGN

46 47

The spine protector features a line of EPP panels down the back and an CO2 cartridge-propelled airbag folded into the top. The trigger tether for the airbag attaches toward the bottom left of the spine protector for minimal obtrusiveness. Left-side placement will help the rider to remember to unhook it from the saddle while dismounting to avoid accidental triggering. The spine protector wraps around the back and attaches via velcro straps on the shoulders and sides.

The airbag automatically inflates when the trigger tether is broken. It is folded into the top of the spine protector with plastic snaps keeping it in place than can be easily detached when the airbag inflates. When the airbag is inflated, it wraps around the rider’s neck, therefore minimizing or preventing serious neck injury.

FINA

L DE

SIG

NFI

NA

L D

ES

IGN

48 49

The rider puts on the base layer at the beginning of the day

Dressage attire is donned on top of th base layer. The d3o panels help protect against injury in the event of an accident during this phase.

Dressage attire can be taken off immediately after riding, without the rider having to worry about finding somewhere private to change clothes, which can be prolematic at crowded show grounds.

For the cross country phase, the rider puts on his or her chest protector over the base layer.

The rider then puts the spine protector on, and securely fastens it to the chest protector with velcro straps. The straps are on the front to facilitate the rider being able to put it on independently.

After cross country, the rider can remove the chest and spine protector and get his or her horse ready for the stadium jumping portion.

Stadium jumping attire is worn on top of the base layer, which provides additional protection in the event of a fall. The rider once again can change clothes without needing to find somewhere private to do so.

At the end of the day the rider can pack away all of his or her nice show clothes, and wear the base layer alone, which can then be machine washed if it gets dirty, as opposed to show clothes which are all dry clean only.

STO

RY

BO

AR

DS

TOR

YB

OA

RD

50 51FIN

AL

DE

SIG

NS

OU

RC

ES

Goldsmith, Elizabeth. “After the Fall — ESPN’s Critique of Eventing Dials Down on the Dangers of the Sport.” Equine Ink. WordPress, 14 08 2008. Web. 4 Oct 2010. <http://equineink.com/tag/eventing-safety/>.

Shier, Linda. “Horse Events and the Issue of Safety.” Sports Image Times 21 05 2008: n. pag. Web. 4 Oct 2010. <http://sportsimagetimes.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/“horse-events-and-the-issue-of-safety”/>.

Silver, JR. “Spinal Injuries Resulting from Horse Riding Accidents.” Spinal Cord 40.6 (2002): 264-271. Web. 4 Oct 2010. <http://www.nature.com/sc/journal/v40/n6/full/3101280a.html>.

McLain, David. “USCTA Accident Statistics for 1990 and 1991.” American Medical Equestrian Association 3.2 (1993): n. pag. Web. 4 Oct 2010. <http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/amea/apr93nws.htm>.

Paix, Bruce. “Rider Injury Rates and Emergency Medical Services at Equestrian Events.” Br J Sports Med. (1999): 46-48. Print.