Equestrian:Equipment standards - Armor - Horse eye protection

Horse eye protection

There are two types of eye protection:

Full eye protection

1. Used for mounted combat, Rossfechten, crest combat, jousting and some games.
2. Must protect the eyes from a sword, spear, lance or missile strike.
3. Acceptable eye protection should cover the entire eye, stand clear from the eye in all directions by a minimum of 3/4 inch (19 mm) and not collapse upon typical strikes. Take care to make opening large enough, pad well, and secure to minimize movement when struck.
   1. For mounted combat and foam jousting, it must prevent a 1-inch (25.4 mm) diameter dowel from penetrating.
   2. For Rossfechten, it must prevent a 1/4 (6 mm) inch diameter dowel from penetrating.
4. Examples include:
   1. A chamfron or other approved eye protection which incorporates pierced metal cups, heavy wire mesh or grillwork.
   2. Blinker style, such as the heavy wire mesh/lexan/acrylic eye protection used by jockeys and trainers at the racetrack. (Example: a Pelling pacifier). Eye protection of this sort may be incorporated into a period horse garment providing the garment ensures proper placement of the eyecups at all times.

Partial eye protection

1. Used for jousting only.
2. Should deflect and protect the eye from a lance strike and be secured to minimize movement when struck. Examples include a chamfron with reinforcing ridges around the eye.