Equestorian Back Brace for Horse Riders: Is it any good?

Last updated: January 18, 2023

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

The younger generation seems to be educated about the importance of taking care of their bodies today to prevent chronic health issues later. For example, a young exercise jockey requested I buy him a back brace even though he currently doesn’t suffer from back pain.

I agreed and bought two Equestorian back braces, one for him and one for an older jockey that suffers from back pain. Equestrians often ride with bad posture: slouching or bending incorrectly, which can harm their spine. These braces help keep riders in the correct riding position while reducing back pain.

Equestorian back braces provide much-needed support, stability, and, to some extent, even some pain relief from horseback riding. Today, I am reviewing the  Equestorian™back brace, which is specially made for equestrians to correct posture. I also cover topics like the benefits of wearing a back brace, how to choose the right fit, and other related topics.

Back pain in horse riders: Causes and risk factors

Horse riding is a popular pastime for people of all ages, but it’s not without its risks. One of the most common injuries associated with horse riding is back pain. There are several factors associated with this issue. These include:

1. Incorrect Posture

One of the primary causes of back pain in horse riders is poor posture. When riding, it is important to maintain a tall, upright posture. This means keeping your shoulders back and down, your chin tucked, and your core engaged. Riders who slump forward or round their shoulders are more likely to experience back pain.

Equestrians must keep their posture centered, take tight turns, and keep their weight balanced while turning. This is essential to prevent straining the muscles.

2. Poor Physical Conditioning

Many occasional riders do not have adequate cardiovascular fitness or good back and hamstring flexibility for riding. Another common cause of back pain in horse riders is weak core muscles. The core muscles are the muscles that stabilize the spine and pelvis.

Riders who have weak core muscles are more likely to experience pain when riding, as they will be less able to support their spine and pelvis in the proper position.

Riders with a weak core put tremendous pressure on the back muscles. To avoid this, you need to exercise, strengthen your core muscles, and do some cardio for endurance at least 2-3 times a week to prepare your body for the stress of riding. 

3. Inadequate Warm

Many riders ignore warm-up as they feel it is unimportant. However, warm-up increases the blood flow to the muscles that will be used during horseback riding. It also makes the muscles more elastic so they can stretch easily without straining the back.

4. Poor saddle fit

Another factor that can contribute to back pain in horse riders is poor saddle fit. If a saddle does not fit properly, it can put pressure on the rider’s back and cause discomfort. Additionally, a saddle that doesn’t correctly fit the rider causes them to sit crooked, which can also lead to back pain.

5. Poor riding technique

Finally, poor riding technique is another common cause of back pain in horse riders. Riders who bounce in the saddle or grip with their knees are more likely to experience pain than those who ride with a smooth, even motion. Additionally, riders who sit too far forward or too far back in the saddle are also more likely to experience back pain.

While a back brace might not eliminate all of these root causes, it can benefit horseback riders in numerous ways.

Benefits of Using an Equestrian Back Brace

• It Supports the Spine from the Outside

An equestrian back brace supports your spine from the outside while reducing the stress and pressure that horseback riding invariably puts on it.

Well-designed equestrian back braces fit snugly and stabilize the rider’s spine. They also generate heat between the back muscles to promote relaxation.

Studies have shown that lumbar support braces press down the abdominal area, which, in turn, reduces the pressure that falls on the spine, especially when one performs a strenuous physical activity.

• It Can Prevent Back Pain

The last thing you’d want is chronic back pain from horse riding impacting the other aspects of your life. 

With a well-designed riding back brace, you can prevent unnecessary strain on the lower back while strengthening the upper back. A brace can also eliminate stress on the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and the spine to reduce back pain post-riding.

• It Can Improve Posture While Riding

Posture improvement is the biggest benefit of an equestrian back brace. Whether you are a newbie to horse riding or a veteran, your posture on the horse is likely to need correction over time. Bad posture in the saddle can make your back susceptible to deformity, chronic pain, and even spinal weakness.

Unfortunately, many riders unknowingly slouch or round their shoulders, especially while turning. This, combined with the jerky movements, can seriously hurt their backs.

An equestrian back brace can help correct the rider’s posture by keeping the back upright, shoulders back, and abdomen tucked in. They have a powerful pull in the shoulder region to prevent rounding and slouching. In short, they hold up the back in the best position possible to prevent unnecessary strain while riding. 

Regular use of the back brace can develop muscle memory and body awareness. New riders can learn correct riding posture by using a high-quality equestrian back brace, so they never use the wrong posture when they ride without a brace.

• It Can Immobilize The Back and Strengthen The Core

Immobilizing the spine using a back brace is especially important if you have already injured your back before. 

The brace will hold your back upright and minimize unnecessary movements – not just when you ride but also when you get on/off the saddle. A rider with a previous back injury might be advised not to use her/his back to its full potential. An equestrian back brace will ensure that.

Even a rider without any back issues will find that the brace strengthens the back muscles. Moreover, it even strengthens the core, and we all know that a weak core usually ends up putting more pressure on the back.

• It Can be a Holistic Treatment for Many Back Issues

Back braces are the ultimate holistic remedy for many back-related issues. Holistic remedies reduce your dependency on pain medicines and could help manage and treat a wide range of conditions, including spondylosis, scoliosis, whiplash injury, etc.

• It Could Eliminate The Need For a Riding Instructor.

Once you start using an equestrian back brace, you will automatically learn the correct riding posture. You won’t have to rely on instructors to correct your posture. The brace’s compression and powerful pull will automatically correct your posture each time you slouch. 

So, even if your mind wanders, the muscle memory you develop due to the brace will bring you back to the right position every single time.

What To Look for in an Equestrian Back Brace?

Now that you know the many benefits of an equestrian back brace, here are some factors to consider when selecting one:

Size and Fit

Equestrian back braces are usually available in sizes ranging from XS (22-25 inches) to 4 XL (44 inches). The height at the back of the brace is around 15 inches. To ensure proper size, measure your waistline at its narrowest part. Keep the tape level.

Select the size closest to the number you get. If your measurement is between two sizes, choose the one closest to your pants size. There is a 4-inch overlap of the pulley straps for all sizes to ensure an optimum fit for each size.

Support

Ensure that the brace you choose stabilizes and supports the areas where you need them the most. Some riders may need more support higher up and might do better with a higher brace. Others may need more stability in the lower back. Kids might need a brace that prevents slouching and ensures correct riding posture by pulling the shoulders back.

Adjustability

Ensure that the brace you choose has adjustable straps and pulley systems to give you optimum support.

Materials

Look for a brace that is made of lightweight, breathable, and comfortable materials. Since horseriding is a sweaty activity, ensure that you can wash the brace from time to time.

Review of Equestorian™ Back Brace

Our exercise jockeys ride about 20 horses a day, and both gave the Equestorian back brace two thumbs up. The older jockey said his back pain is not nearly as bad when he finishes riding, and the brace doesn’t restrict him at all. This is important because these guys work horses at all levels, and for some, they have to be able to move freely.

As for the young rider, he likes wearing the brace because it keeps him in a better riding posture. He notices he feels better at the end of the day and plans to continue using it, so he doesn’t end up hurting like most of the other exercise riders.

Equestorian™back brace scores the top spot in equestrian back braces thanks to its stellar features. These include

Excellent Support

Equestorian™back brace features a unique Hollowback design to ensure ideal torso and hip alignment. This design stretches out your front chest muscles and prevents the shoulders from rounding off or slouching. At the same time, it provides excellent lumbar support and grants the perfect balance to aid correct riding position.

Light and Comfy

Another great feature of the Equestorian™back brace is that it is made of super lightweight and breathable material. It is so comfortable that you might forget you are wearing one! 

Perfect Fit

The thoughtfully designed brace has pulley straps that you can adjust according to your size. This provides the ideal compression to the back right where it is needed. The snug fit stabilizes your back and immobilizes the spine. It also draws the core in to enhance and strengthen the lower back muscles. Made entirely of durable fabrics, it leaves just enough room to provide full range of mobility to provide optimum support to every rider.

Here’s What Real Users Have To Say About the Equestorian™ Back Brace

 Equestorian back brace is truly the best and most practical product out there that helps with habitually correcting my posture daily. Achieving that perfect riding posture has never been simpler. 

– Andy C.W, TX

Works but you need to give it time – at least a month. 

– Dominick Homer, CA.

This brace is really great! I can feel it supporting my spine and keeping it upright. It is comfortable wearing it for hours and does not get in the way of work.

– Naomi Davy, CA

Bought these braces for my students and boy do they work wonders! Being an instructor for years, I would say that maintaining a proper posture while riding is the most difficult skill for equestrians to master! I was skeptical at first, but these braces really helped, their improvements were noticeable and overall very satisfactory.

-Ronnie Nowell, TN.

I hope you give the Equestorian™back brace a try and see for yourself the difference it can make in your riding!

Conclusion –  Equestorian Back Brace

If you’re looking for posture correction, back support, relief from back pain, or simply some stability to the spine while horseback riding, then an equestrian back brace could be the solution.

I strongly recommend the  Equestorian Back Brace as it can help you keep proper riding posture, has a unique hollow back design, and offers superior adjustability. Its material is also lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. Horseback is dangerous enough without having to worry about chronic back and shoulder pain, so use a back brace when riding.

FAQs –  Equestorian Back Brace