10 min read Last updated: January 2026 If your horse tenses at new smells or mixed signals, subtle scents and outdated kit can quietly turn a ride risky. Learn to steady behaviour and meet 2025 UK rules60-second calm-breathing, familiar scent routines, and the exact standards (EN 13158:2018 Level 2 from 1 Feb 2025; EN 17353 hi-vis)so youre safer, seen, and connected. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Manage Your Scent What To Do: Before handling, spend 60 seconds on slow breathing (4 seconds in, 68 out) and, if youve rushed, wash hands and face. Keep grooming products and routines consistent day-to-day. Why It Matters: Fear-related human odours raise equine vigilance and reactivity, undermining safety and connection. Common Mistake: Arriving hot and sweaty then handling immediately, broadcasting stress cues. Area: Introduce Scents Gradually What To Do: Present new odours at low intensity and pair them with calm, rewarding work. Only increase exposure when your horse stays relaxed, and avoid stacking changes on stressful days. Why It Matters: Novel smells can trigger caution and elevated heart rate; gradual exposure builds positive associations. Common Mistake: Applying strong essential oils or predator scents suddenly and close to the horse. Area: Standardise Tack Scent What To Do: Clean and condition leather regularly and dry tack promptly to keep a neutral, familiar aroma. Store gear aired, not damp, to prevent odd smells. Why It Matters: A familiar scent picture helps horses settle and focus, reducing unnecessary tension. Common Mistake: Leaving tack damp so it mildews and smells unfamiliar between rides. Area: Flavour Feed Wisely What To Do: Add a tiny amount of anise to feed and increase over 23 stages across a week. Trial flavours during quiet periods and keep everything else in the routine unchanged. Why It Matters: Horses prefer anise-scented feeds, so flavour can boost palatability and intake. Common Mistake: Dumping in strong flavour overnight or changing feed during a stressful week. Area: Body Protector 2025 What To Do: For racing from 1 Feb 2025 (racecourses) and 1 Jun 2025 (licensed yards), use EN 13158:2018 Level 2+ with a BETA mark and check sternum and tailbone coverage. Replace after a major fall or if foam is compressed or cracked. Why It Matters: Compliance delivers modern impact protection and meets updated BHA rules. Common Mistake: Relying on an old, poorly fitting or damaged body protector. Area: Riding Hat Standards What To Do: Choose a hat marked PAS015:2011, VG1 01.040 2014-12 or ASTM F1163:2015, fitted snug with the harness adjusted to the two-finger rule and the brim level. Treat any hat dropped onto a hard surface as compromised. Why It Matters: Equestrian-certified hats manage the specific forces of falls and satisfy BHS checks. Common Mistake: Using cycling/motorbike lids or wearing a loose, tipped-back hat. Area: Hi-Vis for Hacking What To Do: Wear EN 17353:2020 hi-vis (tabard/jacket) and fit leg bands on the horse; add LEDs in low light and use contrasting colours. Keep garments clean for maximum reflectivity. Why It Matters: Improved conspicuity helps drivers detect you earlier in Britains variable light. Common Mistake: Letting hi-vis get muddy or faded and expecting it to work. Area: Whip Size Rules What To Do: For BHS assessments, use a 4575 cm jumping whip with a padded end, or a flatwork whip up to 99 cm. Ensure its unweighted, smooth, and in good condition. Why It Matters: Correct dimensions and construction prevent eliminations and ensure humane use. Common Mistake: Borrowing an oversized or weighted whip without checking length and tip. In This Guide Can horses smell your emotions? Will your scent change how your horse handles and performs? Do smells change what your horse wants to eat? What body protector standard do you need for UK racing in 2025? What riding hat standard does the BHS expect and how should it fit? Which hi-vis should UK leisure riders wear for hacking? What should you wear for winter hacking in Britain? What whip dimensions are allowed in BHS showjumping and flatwork? Your horse lives in a scented world. From reading your mood to choosing their dinner, smell quietly shapes behaviour, safety and performance every day you ride.Key takeaway: Horses respond to human odours and unfamiliar scents, and UK safety rules for 2025 set clear standards for helmets, body protectors and hi-vis get your kit and your handling right for calmer, safer rides.Can horses smell your emotions?Yes controlled studies show horses detect fear in human sweat and change their behaviour accordingly. When exposed to fear-related human odours, horses startle more, avoid interaction and show higher arousal.In research led by Plotine Jardat (Institut Franais du Cheval et de lEquitation), horses handled by people wearing sweat pads containing human fear scent were significantly more vigilant, more easily startled in suddenness tests and interacted less with humans than controls. As the authors put it:These results highlight the significance of chemosignals in interspecific interactions These findings have practical implications regarding the significance of handlers emotional states and its transmission through odours during human-horse interactions. Jardat et al., PLOS One; reported by Horse & HoundOlfaction guides much more than humanhorse interaction. Horses can distinguish individual competitors among herd mates by the smell of their faeces, and chemical profiles even differ among breeds and reflect kinship. That sensitivity is why your stress level, your shampoo and your stable environment all quietly influence your horse.Quick tip: Aim to handle and ride in a calm, consistent state and keep a steady yard scent by sticking to the same grooming kit and tack care routine. A tidy, familiar-smelling horse is easier to settle and focus. Explore everyday essentials in our grooming collection.Will your scent change how your horse handles and performs?Yes fear-related human odours make horses more reactive and less willing to approach, which can derail groundwork, loading and schooling. Keeping yourself physiologically calm improves safety and connection.Before catching or tacking up, take 60 seconds to lower your arousal: slow exhale breathing (4 seconds in, 68 seconds out) and soft eyes. If youve just rushed from work or a workout, wash your hands and face; strong sweat odours can cue vigilance. Artificial scents (soap, deodorant) may partially mask fear odours, which can help in the moment, but remember that familiarity also reassures horses keep your routine consistent across days.Unknown smells can trigger caution. Novel odours such as eucalyptus oil or predator cues (e.g., wolf urine used in some deterrents) can produce vigilance and raised heart rate. Introduce any new scent gradually, at low intensity, and pair it with calm, positive experiences (loose rein, scratching favourite spots, tiny tasks for easy wins) to create good associations.Pro tip: Standardise the scent picture of your tack. Regular leather care maintains a familiar, neutral aroma and reduces the mix of odd smells that can crop up when kit sits damp between rides.Do smells change what your horse wants to eat?Yes when offered a choice, horses sniff and eat anise-scented oats first and in larger amounts than unscented controls. Scent can be a powerful tool for picky or anxious eaters.In controlled preference tests, anise oil was consistently chosen and consumed ahead of corn-oil-scented or plain feeds. Thats useful when changing rations, masking a supplement or encouraging a horse to eat during routine disruptions. Start with a tiny amount of anise scent and build slowly so you dont overwhelm sensitive horses.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend introducing any feed flavour in 23 stages over a week and pairing it with an otherwise unchanged routine. For palatability and targeted nutrition, see our horse supplements, and for positive reinforcement in groundwork, browse high-value options in our treats.Quick tip: Trial a new flavour during a quiet, low-stress period rather than straight after clipping, worming or moving stables, when odour and routine changes are already stacking up.What body protector standard do you need for UK racing in 2025?From 1 February 2025 on racecourses (and 1 June 2025 in licensed yards), BHA rules require body protectors to meet (BS) EN 13158:2018 at Level 2 or higher. This elevates the minimum protection for all riders on racecourse property or under licensed trainers.The British Horseracing Authoritys update keeps pace with modern impact science and aligns with the UKs leadership in safety standards. As Dr Jerry Hill, BHA Chief Medical Adviser, explains:Activities involving horses will always carry an element of risk, which is why its essential that we keep pace with advances in the development of safety equipment and provide the highest level of protection for racings workforce. BHA press releaseLook for the BETA approval mark as proof of independent quality testing to EN 13158. The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) confirms: The BETA standard for Body and shoulder protectors is recognised as the world wide industry standard. For non-racing activities, Level 3 offers enhanced protection and is the wise default for schooling, hacking and jumping on most yards.Fit matters as much as the label: the front should cover the sternum, the back should protect to the top of the tailbone without catching the saddle, and you must be able to adopt a two-point position without the vest riding up. Replace after any major fall or if the foam becomes compressed or cracked.What riding hat standard does the BHS expect and how should it fit?For BHS assessments, riding hats must meet current safety standards and fit securely, with accepted marks including PAS015:2011, VG1 01.040 2014-12 and ASTM F1163:2015. Cycling or motorbike helmets are not suitable because theyre not tested for equestrian impacts.BHS examiners will check your hats standard label and fit before you mount. Your hat should be snug without pressure points, the harness adjusted so you can just fit two fingers under the chin, and the brim level not tipped back. If you compete or clinic, double-check organiser rules; some disciplines require specific kitemarks or ban older standards.At Just Horse Riders, we stock modern shells and dial-fit options so you can fine-tune comfort without compromising protection. Start with our curated riding helmets collection, and if youre building a compliant show wardrobe, pair your hat with smart, durable pieces from our womens competition clothing.Quick tip: After any drop from standing height onto a hard surface, treat your hat as compromised even if it looks fine. The energy-absorbing liner can be damaged invisibly.Which hi-vis should UK leisure riders wear for hacking?For UK leisure riding, choose hi-vis certified to EN 17353:2020; professional users (e.g., on the road at work) require EN ISO 20471. The British Horse Society recommends at least a rider tabard or jacket and horse leg bands for visibility in variable UK conditions.Daylight in Britain is unpredictable drizzle, low sun and heavy cloud can all make you hard to spot, even at midday. EN 17353 garments balance visibility and comfort for leisure riders, while EN ISO 20471 is the heavier-duty standard for professional use. Combine a hi-vis vest with contrast-colour gear on the horse so drivers recognise the equine shape, not just a moving fluorescent block.Add lighting in low light or woodland: a small helmet light improves conspicuity, and clip-on LEDs on breastplates, tail guards or boots add movement cues motorists notice earlier. Build your set-up from our hi-vis collection for riders and add reflective bands or boots from horse boots & bandages to highlight limb motion.Pro tip: Keep hi-vis clean. Mud and fading dramatically reduce reflectivity wash regularly and replace when the fabric dulls or the tape cracks.What should you wear for winter hacking in Britain?Wear layered, non-flapping, waterproof kit with hi-vis, and choose grippy, weatherproof footwear for safety in rain, wind and short daylight. Prioritise quiet fabrics and secure closures so your horse isnt startled by flapping coats.A breathable base layer, warm mid-layer and a waterproof outer keep you warm without rustle. Gloves with tactile grip help you keep a soft, elastic contact in drizzle. On your legs, technical breeches that shed rain and dry fast are worth their weight on a long loop. For secure, mud-ready footing on the yard and in the stirrup, pick supportive boots with a defined heel and reliable tread. Explore durable options in our womens jodhpurs & breeches and our riding boots.Dont forget your horse: a waterproof turnout for post-ride turnout helps keep muscles warm as temperatures swing and showers blow through. Browse proven, weather-ready choices in our turnout rugs.Quick tip: Choose longer coats designed for riding with rear vents or two-way zips; avoid loose ponchos that can lift in a gust and spook a sensitive horse.What whip dimensions are allowed in BHS showjumping and flatwork?For BHS Stage assessments, showjumping whips must be 4575 cm (1730 inches) with a smooth, shock-absorbing padded end. Flatwork schooling whips must not exceed 99 cm (39 inches).Additional rules apply: no weighting, hard points or sharp edges, and the shaft and keeper must be compliant and in good condition. Keep your whip clean and stored straight so it doesnt crack or warp. Check organiser rules before competitions; some venues adopt discipline-specific wording that mirrors these limits but adds brand or design details.Pro tip: If you borrow a whip at a venue, measure against your forearm before entering the ring; last-minute eliminations for length are avoidable.Putting it together: Ride calm, smell familiar, be seen and be protected. Standardise the scents you and your tack carry, introduce new odours slowly, and bring your kit up to the latest UK standards before the season starts. If you need help choosing the right helmet, hi-vis or winter layers, our team at Just Horse Riders is here to help by phone, chat or email.FAQsWhy do horses react negatively to certain human smells?Because they detect chemosignals linked to fear in human sweat, which raises their vigilance and reduces willingness to approach. Studies using sweat pads show more startle responses and higher arousal when horses are exposed to fear-related human odours; see the summary in Horse & Hound.Can smells influence horse feeding behaviour?Yes. In preference tests, horses sniffed and ate anise-scented oats first significantly more often than controls and consumed greater quantities. Use flavour strategically and introduce gradually; our supplements and treats can help with palatability.What safety standards apply to UK riding hats?For BHS assessments and most UK riding, look for current standards such as PAS015:2011, VG1 01.040 2014-12 or ASTM F1163:2015 and ensure a secure fit. Avoid cycling or motorbike helmets theyre not tested for equestrian falls. See our vetted options in riding helmets.When do the new body protector rules start in UK racing?From 1 February 2025 on racecourses and 1 June 2025 for those riding or handling under licensed trainers, with a minimum of Level 2 to (BS) EN 13158:2018. Full details are in the BHA announcement.Is hi-vis required for UK hacking?BHS strongly recommends it. For leisure riders, choose EN 17353:2020 garments (tabard/jacket for the rider plus leg bands for the horse) and add LEDs in low light. Build your set from our hi-vis range and leg bands and reflective boots.Do artificial human scents affect horses?Perfumes, deodorants and shampoos can mask natural odours (including fear), potentially reducing negative responses in the moment. Balance that with the value of familiarity: keep your routine and product choices consistent so your horse recognises you.Whats the best way to introduce new odours to my horse?Go low and slow. Present a tiny amount at a distance, pair with calm handling and a simple, rewarding task, and only increase intensity when your horse stays relaxed. Avoid stacking changes on stressful days. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Riding HelmetsShop Hi-Vis GearShop Grooming KitShop SupplementsShop Horse Treats