EQUESTRIAN BODY PROTECTION SYSTEM
K A R E N D I T KO | 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 | FA L L 2 0 1 0
OBJECTIVE
To develop a body protection system for cross country riders that provides the maximum level of protection with minimal weight and size
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
What is cross country?
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Introduction
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Research
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Trend Studies
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Materials
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Ideation
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Final Design
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Sources
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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.
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
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.
Refusal Horse stops in front of the jump causing the rider to fall forward
Rotational fall Horse hits jump and flips over and often lands on top of the rider
A body protector can help minimize injury, especially to the ribcage and vital organs.
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RESEARCH
Safety Equipment 1 ASTM approved helmet
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 6
SOURCES Goldsmith, Paix (46-48), Silver (264-271)
RESEARCH
Injury Statistics
• Required for all equestrian activities • Must fit properly and have chin strap
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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
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RESEARCH
The 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 jockeys BETA 2: Offers a level of protection suitable for lower than normal risk situations BETA 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.
TREND STUDY
Safety Ratings
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
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RESEARCH
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.
RESEARCH
Survey
Survey questions Do you ride cross country?
Were you wearing your body protector when you fell?
Do you compete or plan to compete in horse trials or three day events?
Did the fall result in an injury?
If yes, at which level do you compete?
If yes, what type of injury was it?
What brand and model of body protector do you own?
Do you believe your body protector helped prevent more serious injury? Why?
What is the BETA rating of you body protector?
What do you like about your body protector?
Is your body protector ASTM approved?
What do you dislike about your body protector?
When do you wear 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?
What other clothing and protective gear do you wear while riding cross country? Have you ever fallen while riding cross country?
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RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Survey Results
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51% own Tipperary body protectors
The most common injury suffered were head injuries. Other injuries include, neck, back, rib, and arm injuries.
22% own Charles Owen body protectors
83% believe that their body protectors helped prevent more serious injury
15% know the BETA rating of their body protector
Helmets and gloves are the most common safety equipment worn in addition to the body protector
67% know if their body protector is ASTM approved
Bulkiness, awkwardness, discomfort, restrictiveness, and lack of ventilation are common complaints
70% have experienced a cross country fall. All were wearing their body protectors during the fall
Feeling of security, flexibility, adjustability, and lightness are positive features
22% of those falls resulted in injury
More neck protection is a feature many of those surveyed would like to see in future body protectors 13
RESEARCH
Weighted Matrix Safety
Comfort x8 Flexibility
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.
Modularity
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6
7
60
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10
Lightweight
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4 72
Mobility
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8
3
0 24
6
7
0
6 54
9 42
8 50
81
56
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10 24
9
8
35
42
90
56
30
7
4
35
35
36
80
72 Personalization
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90
10
8
81
8 56
322 333
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5
7
81
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30
60
40
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6
10
9 28
40
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100
4
8
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Fit x9
25
48
70
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8
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Size x7
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64 Protection
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5
8
Appearance x5
x6
56 Adjustability
Form
x10 80
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.
RESEARCH
Interpretation of Results
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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.
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RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Equivalent Sports
Motocross
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.
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Commonly worn protective gear for motocross and mountain biking was investigated along with common injuries for both sports.
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1 Helmet 2 Goggles 3 Elbow pads
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4 Gloves 5 Chest protector 6 Hip protector COMMON INJURIES Separated shoulder Fractured clavicle Occasional thoracic and lumbar injuries
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7 Knee pads 8 Protective boots
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RESEARCH
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Protective Equipment 1 Helmet
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2 Goggles
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3 Elbow pads 4 Gloves
COMMON INJURIES Minor head injuries Shoulder injuries Hand/wrist fractures
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RESEARCH
Downhill Mountain Biking
5 Knee pads
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.
6 Shin guards
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REND STUDY
TREND STUDY
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.
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TREND STUDY
TREND STUDY
Spine Protectors
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.
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REND STUDY
TREND STUDY
Undershirts with Protective Padding
Many base layers of athletic equipment for contact sports features built-in padding for additional impact protection.
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TREND STUDY
TREND STUDY
Inflatable protective equipment 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.
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MATERIALS
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.
MATERIALS
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d3o
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IDEATION
IDEATION
Iteration began with explorations of how the different parts might fit together, and which part would protect which parts of the body.
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IDEATION
IDEATION
Different sizes, shapes, and panel shape and placement for the spine protector were explored.
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IDEATION
IDEATION
The 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.
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IDEATION
IDEATION
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.
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IDEATION
IDEATION
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.
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IDEATION
IDEATION
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.
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IDEATION
IDEATION
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.
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FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
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.
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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.
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FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
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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.
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STORYBOARD
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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.
STORYBOARD
The rider puts on the base layer at the beginning of the day
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.
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FINAL DESIGN
SOURCES
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-andthe-issue-of-safety”/>. Silver, JR. “Spinal Injuries Resulting from Horse Riding Accidents.” Spinal Cord 40.6 (2002): 264271. 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.
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