ASTM F1163-23

Standard Specification for Protective Headgear Used in Horse Sports and Horseback Riding

ABSTRACT
This specification provides a description of a test method for protective headgear used in horse sports and horseback riding that will measure the ability of the headgear to reduce head acceleration when impacting objects of various shapes. Materials covered by this specification include the pair of appropriate size headform and helmet and the anvils for the impacts tests, which consist of the flat anvil and the equestrian hazard anvil. The helmet shall be conditioned in the following environments: ambient, low temperature, high temperature, and water immersion, and shall be impacted at each of four sites centered on or anywhere above the center of the impact line (two sites on the flat anvil and two sites on the equestrian hazard anvil). Dynamic loading and helmet stability tests shall be performed and shall conform to the requirements specified.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers minimum performance criteria and describes test methods for protective headgear for use in horse sports and horseback riding.  
1.2 It is not the intention of this specification to bar from consideration materials of improved quality or performance not known at the time of development of this specification.  
1.3 All testing and requirements of this specification shall be in accordance with Test Methods F1446, except where noted herein.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2022
• ICS: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.53 - Headgear and Helmets

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1163 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Protective Headgear Used in Horse Sports and Horseback
1
Riding
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1163; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Horse sports and horseback riding are sports with intrinsic hazards. It is recognized that it is not
possible to write a protective headgear performance standard that will result in headgear that can
protect against injury or death in all accidents. It is also recognized that serious injury or death can
result from both low-energy and high-energy impacts, even when protective headgear is worn. It is
further recognized that protective headgear must be acceptable to the user and to the regulating
associations or agencies requiring its use. Acknowledging these limitations, this specification was
developed using resources in medical, scientific, mechanical engineering, human factors, and
biomechanical fields.
This specification incorporates many aspects of other recognized headgear performance standards.
This specification draws from work done by others where appropriate for this specification. These
standards may be referenced. It should be noted that this specification specifies a laboratory test of
completed headgear to measure its ability to reduce head acceleration when impacting various shaped
objects. It is known that headgear that performs well under this specification will mitigate head injury
in actual use within its design limits.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 This specification covers minimum performance criteria
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and describes test methods for protective headgear for use in
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
horse sports and horseback riding.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 It is not the intention of this specification to bar from
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
consideration materials of improved quality or performance not
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
known at the time of development of this specification.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 All testing and requirements of this specification shall
be in accordance with Test Methods F1446, except where noted
2. Referenced Document
herein.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
F1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in
standard.
Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Headgear
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
F2220 Specification for Headforms
standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions—The terms used in this specification are
defined in accordance with Test Methods F1446.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F1163 – 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1163-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1163 − 23
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: mm, with facial surfaces inclined at an angle of 45 6 2°. The
3.2.1 cradle, n—headband or other head-fitting device and edge rail at the intersection of the facial surfaces shall have a
those internal parts of the headgear in contact with the head. radius of 0.4 mm maximum.
3.2.2 drawlace, n—lace used for making adjustments to the
5.2 The helmet shall be dropped onto the flat anvil from a
fit of the cradle on the wearer’s head.
theoreti
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1163 − 15 F1163 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Protective Headgear Used in Horse Sports and Horseback
1
Riding
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1163; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Horse sports and horseback riding are sports with intrinsic hazards. It is recognized that it is not
possible to write a protective headgear performance standard that will result in headgear that can
protect against injury or death in all accidents. It is also recognized that serious injury or death can
result from both low-energy and high-energy impacts, even when protective headgear is worn. It is
further recognized that protective headgear must be acceptable to the user and to the regulating
associations or agencies requiring its use. Acknowledging these limitations, this specification was
developed using resources in medical, scientific, mechanical engineering, human factors, and
biomechanical fields.
This specification incorporates many aspects of other recognized headgear performance standards.
This specification draws from work done by others where appropriate for this specification. These
standards may be referenced. It should be noted that this specification specifies a laboratory test of
completed headgear to measure its ability to reduce head acceleration when impacting various shaped
objects. It is known that headgear that performs well under this specification will mitigate head injury
in actual use within its design limits.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers minimum performance criteria and describes test methods for protective headgear for use in horse
sports and horseback riding.
1.2 It is not the intention of this specification to bar from consideration materials of improved quality or performance not known
at the time of development of this specification.
1.3 All testing and requirements of this specification shall be in accordance with Test Methods F1446, except where noted herein.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015Jan. 1, 2023. Published October 2015February 2023. Originally approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 20132015 as
F1163 – 13.F1163 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/F1163-15.10.1520/F1163-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1163 − 23
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Document
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear
F2220 Specification for Headforms
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—The terms used in this specification are defined in accordance with Test Methods F1446.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cradle, n—headband or other head-fitting device and those internal parts of the headgear in contact with the head.
3.2.2 drawlace, n—lace used for making adjustments to the fit of the cradle on the wearer’s head.
4. Headforms
4.1 Headforms to be used in this specification are in accordance with the section on Apparatus of Test Methods F1446. The
appropriate size headform shall be selected (see definition of headform size selection in the Terminology section of Test Methods
F1446)
...