Protecting yourself every ride starts with the right gear and knowing what works (and why) matters. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Ride EquiSafe founder, Catherine Winter, discusses helmets, body protectors, air vests, and safety stirrups, drawing on personal riding experience and deep product knowledge. You’ll learn how to assess fit, understand safety standards, and avoid common mistakes so you can ride with confidence at every level.
Episode Highlights:
10:18: What the Virginia Tech helmet study means for riders and how to interpret certification standards
13:18: What MIPS technology is, why it matters, and what riders should know before buying a new helmet
27:38: When to replace your helmet or body protector and why impact, sweat, and age all matter
41:19: Body protectors vs. air vests: how they actually work, their strengths and limitations, and why pairing them offers the highest level of protection
50:22: What makes a stirrup a "safety stirrup" and how discipline, personal comfort, and fall history shape your choice
Meet the Expert, Catherine Winter
Catherine Winter is the founder of Ride EquiSafe, a business dedicated to helping riders make informed decisions about their safety equipment. A lifelong equestrian, she created Ride EquiSafe to make rider safety more accessible through education, expert guidance, and a curated selection of protective gear. Her work focuses on helping riders feel more confident and protected in the saddle.
Episode Sponsor
Connaway & Associates
The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.
Visit
www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options.
Brought to you by Ride iQ
This episode is part of the
Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.
Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.
If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at
Ride-iQ.com.
Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program,
Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at
RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.