Dada Sport Bodywarmer Tornado - Women
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Airbag Saddle Straps, Lanyards & Cleaner | Emmers Equestrian
An air vest only works if its connection to the saddle is set up correctly, and that connection relies on two small parts rather than the vest itself: the saddle strap, a Y-shaped strap that replaces your stirrup leathers' attachment point on the saddle, and the lanyard, the cord that clips from the vest's trigger mechanism onto that strap's metal ring.
In a fall, the lanyard pulls taut and releases the firing pin, setting off the CO₂ cartridge, so a worn, misadjusted, or missing strap and lanyard is the most common reason an air vest fails to go off, not a fault with the vest itself. Alongside these, a dedicated airbag cleaner handles the one cleaning job a normal wash can't: airbag vests and safety waistcoats contain electronics and a gas cartridge, so they can't go through a washing machine, and this is what keeps them genuinely clean between uses.
These are small, inexpensive parts, but they're not optional extras; most riders keep a spare saddle strap for a second saddle, and a stretched or damaged lanyard is worth replacing before it becomes the weak link in your safety setup.
Tips for Choosing
- Buy a saddle strap and lanyard matched to your airbag brand. Helite, Animo, and Freejump systems aren't generally interchangeable, so check which brand your vest is from before ordering a replacement part.
- Get a second saddle strap if you regularly ride more than one saddle, since the strap stays fitted to each saddle individually rather than moving with the vest.
- Check the lanyard's fit before you ride: with the strap installed and the vest on, stand in your stirrups; the lanyard's elastic section should only just be taking up slack, not stretched tight or left slack.
- Never clip the lanyard's carabiner directly to a metal ring on the saddle itself; always clip it to the dedicated ring on the saddle strap, since the saddle's own hardware isn't rated for the force of a fall.
- Clean an airbag vest with a purpose-made spray rather than a washing machine or household cleaner, since the goal is removing sweat and odor without affecting the electronics, stitching, or cartridge housing.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need a separate saddle strap if the vest already has a lanyard?
The lanyard is the cord that triggers the vest, but it has to clip onto something secure on the saddle, that's the saddle strap's job, and the two only work correctly as a pair.
What happens if the saddle strap is adjusted too long or too short?
Manufacturer guidance warns that a strap set too long can delay or prevent the airbag from triggering in a fall, while one set too short can restrict normal riding, such as over a jump, correct length matters more than it looks like it would.
Can I wash an airbag vest in a washing machine?
No, the cartridge and firing mechanism mean a standard wash isn't safe for it, which is why a dedicated airbag cleaning spray exists for removing dirt and sweat without machine washing.
How do I know if my lanyard needs replacing?
If the elastic section looks stretched out, frayed, or no longer returns to its resting length, it's worth replacing, a lanyard that's lost its tension may not pull the firing pin reliably in a fall.
Will any brand's saddle strap or lanyard fit my airbag vest?
Not reliably; stick to parts made for your specific vest brand, since the ring size, strap shape, and lanyard length can differ enough between manufacturers to affect how securely everything connects.
Is the cleaner safe to use on the CO₂ cartridge and electronic parts?
Purpose-made airbag cleaners are formulated to be used on the vest without machine washing, but as with any cleaning product, it's worth testing on a small, hidden area first and keeping the product away from extreme heat or frost in storage.
Find airbag saddle straps, lanyards, and vest cleaner at Emmers Equestrian.