New research from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab reveals that falling from a horse at high speed significantly alters the impact dynamics on a rider’s head, necessitating different helmet performance standards. Equestrian sports in the U.S. result in approximately 50,000 emergency room visits annually due to concussions and other brain injuries, highlighting the need for improved safety measures.

The study emphasizes the importance of head rotation during high-speed falls, which affects how helmets respond to impacts. Previous testing methods focused on low-speed scenarios, but this research incorporates a broader range of fall conditions, including those typical in racing and cross-country events. The findings are aligned with new testing protocols from the Federation Equestre Internationale aimed at enhancing helmet safety.

In this comprehensive study, 49 helmets were evaluated using both pendulum and oblique drop tests, marking the largest assessment of equestrian helmets to date. Helmets are rated on a scale from one to five stars based on their concussion risk, providing consumers with crucial information for making informed purchasing decisions. The results are published in the journal Annals of Biomedical Engineering.