The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) has launched its first course on the new website EquiToolz.com, developed to give riders and equestrian companies access to free training across a wide range of subjects.

The BETA Body Protector Awareness Course puts this important safety garment under the spotlight. Written with the needs of riders in mind, it is based on BETA’s essential work in the field of rider safety and wellbeing.

The training highlights the need for correctly fitted and fastened body protectors, their appropriate use across the riding disciplines and an explanation and overview of safety standards.

BETA executive director Claire Williams said that riders and retailers will be able to deepen their knowledge with the 30-minute interactive course, featuring a quiz and downloadable posters packed with information and perfect for putting up at home or on the yard.

Ms Williams said: “This free course is a bright, snappy and engaging way for us to ensure that riders have access to potentially life-saving information. The new website has enormous potential for sharing valuable content with consumers and we have included a business area with training material specifically for trade use. We hope that companies will also see the benefits of using this new resource for their own training to both the trade and rider communities.

“Companies can utilise the associated website EquiToolzCreate.com, which is the platform to create, manage and track online training and policies. Here, companies can create their own courses, as well as track their own staff and customers as they use the courses featured on their own platform and on EquiToolz.com.”

The BETA Body Protector Awareness Course is the first in a training series created by the trade association. Everyone who participates in this BETA course is able to print a certificate of completion.