Advertising watchdog investigates air vest complaint

Amidst growing concern surrounding claims made about the protective qualities of air vests (none of which meet the current impact protection standards for body protectors for horse riding or motorcycling) a UK trade organisation has now madean official complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority. BETA, which is accepted as the official representative body for the equestrian manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade. has issued the following statement;

"The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is investigating a complaint in relation to an advertisement placed by Point Two [air vest manufacturer] in Your Horse magazine. The advertisement, which appeared in the September publication, made representations about the effectiveness of the company’s inflatable vest products in preventing or reducing injury and drew comparisons to level three body protectors.

BETA, the body that developed and administers the BETA Body Protector Standard, has filed a complaint with the ASA in relation to the extent of the claims made by Point Two within its advertisement with reference to body protectors. BETA has received an acknowledgment confirming that the ASA is investigating the complaint about the claims of the effectiveness of the air vest products and the potential to cause confusion.

BETA has received a number of enquiries from its Members about the similarities and differences between body protectors and air vests. As a trade association with a responsibility to its Retail and Trade Members, as well as consumers, BETA has issued the following résumé of advice pending the ASA’s findings:-

Body protectors (that meet the EN13158/BETA 2000/2009 Standard) and air vests are distinct items of equipment with different functions, making direct comparisons difficult. Namely:

• Up-to-standard, foam-filled body protectors offer constant protection to wearers, whether they are on or off a horse.

• Air vests offer protection to riders only in the event of a fall from a horse and only upon inflation.

• BETA Standard body protectors were developed specifically for equestrian sport and encompass three levels of protection for different types of riding and handling horses. Level 3 offers the highest degree of protection. Air vests were originally developed for use in the motor cycle industry.

• The BETA Body Protector Standard has been in existence, with revisions, for 18 years. In order to meet this requisite standard, body protectors must pass a range of rigorous tests to comply with a universally accepted European standard (EN13158). BETA approved garments are additionally required to undergo annual testing.

• Air vests are not subject to a standardised testing protocol and therefore do not comply with European standard EN13158. However, BETA has endorsed the furtherance of work towards developing one and has scheduled a meeting to advance this.

• It is requirement under British Eventing (BE) rules that air vests must be used in conjunction with a body protector (e.g. an air vest should not be not be used to the exclusion of a body protector), with BETA Level 3 being strongly recommended. Unaffiliated disciplines tends to follow BE guidelines.

BETA Member Retailers requiring further guidance or help with answering customers’ questions should call the BETA office".

Kanteq equestrian body protectors, which use Knox technology, meet all current BETA and European standards.

More hot air fails to address safety concerns

"Horse industry and safety experts have reacted with caution to impact testing done on the Point Two equine air jacket" reports Horse and Hounds. Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) in Berkshire conducted impact research on an airbag jacket from one of the UK's most prominent brands. According to H&H, "The report states there is no evidence that the Point Two would exacerbate any neck injury in an accident". In other words the airbag jacket would not injure a rider. Also that the "air jacket offered improved protection when worn with a British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Level 3 body protector". So it offers some additional protection when worn with conventional body armour. However, the test did not establish what level of protection (if any) air bag jackets provide when worn WITHOUR conventional bodty armour.

BETA executive director Claire Williams said: "This report does raise more questions than answers."

Dr Roderick Woods, an expert in safety testing and standards, is quoted as saying. "The only way to test airbags is to replicate a genuine accident, record the data and compare it to an autopsy report," he said. "In cars, you drive a dummy into a wall - but with a horse it's virtually impossible because there are so many variables."

Read the full feature at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/296557.html

Video shows protection provided by KanTeq and Knox

Planet-Knox technology is used by KanTeq in their equestrian body protectors. They recently received the following testimonial. The video shows the full force of the impact.

"Dear KanTeq, I have recently had an incident where I unfortunately had to make full use of my KanTeq body protector.

Last saturday (27th Feb) I experienced a rotational fall on my horse, Rolo. I was riding a 85cm eventers challenge course at Pachesham Equestrian centre. Upon arriving at jump no. 10 in the cross country section of the course, Rolo intended to stand-off over the spread, however he didn't gain enough height or width to clear it, and despite being a fairly advanced jumper he left a fore leg trailing. Needless to say we both ended up 'eating dirt'. Rolo took out the whole jump, and landed on his knees, forcing me onto the floor next to him, as he rolled a full 360 degrees, his hind-quarters landed on my upper back.

I think we both suffered with slight shock, but despite being taken to hospital after suffering vision problems and back/shoulder complaints I was discharged 3 hours later with no broken bones. I truly believe that my decision to wear my KanTeq that day could have effectively saved my spine from any long-lasting damage, and it is unbelievable that I didn't suffer any broken bones after having almost half a tonne land on me!!!

After previously show jumping without a body protector, I will now ALWAYS put it on before I jump!

Thank you KanTeq!

Regards,

Freddie Forrest & Rolo (who may I add was fully sound after the ordeal)".

Horse tales

As the UK's leading supplier of impact protection for two-wheelers, Knox has been chosen to supply product in other markets in which safety awareness is growing, particularly winter sports and equestrian.
Kan Teq, who use Knox technology in their revolutionary body protector for horse riders, have recently worked with the University of Ulster Sports Academy on a pioneering study, which is believed to be the first of it’s kind. The aim was to ascertain just how much more comfortable and protective, also how much performance improves, when a rider is wearing a Kan body protector, compared to other equestrian body protectors. Twenty volunteers were recruited to carry out the test, which involved completing a questionnaire before and after exercising and jumping their own horses. The study is ongoing and the results should be published before Christmas, so check back for an update.
One of the many riders who swears by her KAN protector s Hayley J (pictured); she had a horrible fall last year and believes the KAN took the impact and saved her back from injury. This gorgeous photo was taken by Steve Jetley.
For more information on Kan body protectors call 028 9754 2313 or email info@kanteq.com website www.kanteq.com