There are few more dangerous sports on the planet than horse racing. After all, there are few other sports across the world that require riders to sit aboard horses travelling at fast speeds.
Therefore, there are typically huge risks that come with being a jockey at the highest level of the sport, with just one fall being potentially career-ending. Injuries are part of the sport, but reducing the risk of more damaging injuries is something that the sport is constantly working hard to address.
Therefore, it is little surprise that there have been a growing number of wearables on the market for jockeys are being considered essential to limit the risks of injury at the highest level of the sport.
Skivvies
One of the most important pieces of equipment that all jockeys must wear in the saddle are skivvies. This is a microfiber piece of clothing that is worn under the silks by all riders during races.
Skivvies are essential to ensure that jockeys are protected in case they fall off their mount, reducing the risk of cuts and strains. The equipment is also lightweight to ensure that they don’t add further weight to the jockey, which could be essential when it comes to weighing in after a big race.
Jockeys will look to avoid wearing heavy skivvies, as this could be the difference when its time to set foot on the scales between winning and losing a race.
Race Pants
If you are into Kentucky Derby free bets you probably pay attention to the quality of the jockeys. High-quality racing pants are essential for all jockeys to ensure that they are able to perform to their best standard aboard their runner.
While there is nothing to protect jockeys from a fall or injury, race pants are required to be light for many of the main reasons mentioned previously on skivvies.
These pants do have a protective purpose for riders, as they ensure that jockeys don’t get friction burns aboard horses, which would be common if riders aren’t wearing the right equipment.
Friction burns are common in racing, and that can often lead to irritation and cuts due to the movement between the saddle and the rider. Both racing pants and leggings are made out of stretching material, and it is common for riders to wear both to ensure that the risk of friction on the legs is minimalized.
Helmets
It is easy to argue that the most important piece of equipment for any jockey comes in the form of helmets. This can often be the difference between picking up minor and serious injuries after a fall, as jockeys will be left in the lap of the gods should they fall into oncoming horses.
High-quality helmets will need to be approved for use by governing bodies across the world before they are worn by riders in races. Preventing head traumas is essential in racing, as a nasty kick to the head from a horse could leave a rider fighting for their lives. Some jockeys also opt to wear helmet covers, but these are typically worn to represent the colours of their runner in the race.
Goggles and Gloves
While not essential, many jockeys will opt to wear gloves when they are racing, as it could give them the edge over the field. Trying to keep hold of a horse travelling at high speeds can often be testing with just bare hands, meaning that gloves will give riders an extra layer of control. Gloves will also keep a rider’s hands safe from cuts and friction burns, as the movement on the reigns can often cut the skin open.
Goggles are also essential for riders, as they will ensure that jockeys have clear vision of the action taking place on the track. Losing sight of what is happening ahead can have dire consequences even for a second. It is vitally important in races such as the Kentucky Derby, which is run on dirt, as the kick back will make visibility extremely hard for riders. There are also hygienic advantages to wearing goggles, as they will protect riders from dirt and gravel getting in their eyes.
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Cameras
Go-Pro cameras have become a common accessory for jockeys in this modern day, with many of the riders in the field typically wearing the camera.
Not only does this enable jockeys and owners to watch back races from the perspective of their runner, assessing how and where races were lost, but it also raises engagement levels of the public racing fans.
Offering an insight in-race to viewers ensures that they can have a better enjoyment level when watching some of the biggest races on the planet, which only gives fans a better understanding as to what is required to ride a winner, and giving more respect to the job that riders at the very highest level of the sport are able to do.
