Horse Riders, Say Cheese!
Equestrians love the opportunity to capture special moments with their horses—and I’m certainly among them! Some might settle for the occasional snapshot, but many of us want more.
From filming training sessions to capturing trail rides, the right camera can provide useful insights into your riding, your horse’s movement, and remind you of your best rides.
Helmet-mounted cameras are a great innovation you can use to capture the beauty of your rides from a first-person viewpoint. Plus, they make it easy to share those special moments with others! That’s why we’re walking you through the best helmet cam for horse riders.
Helmet Mounted Cameras
| Helmet Camera Option | Most Notable Feature | Price Point | Where to Buy |
| Insta360 GO 3 | Small and lightweight | $$ | Amazon |
| Cambox V4 Pro | Excellent image quality | $$$ | Amazon |
| Sony RX0 II 1” | Robust and durable design | $$$$ | Amazon |
| DJI Osmo Action 3 | Long battery life | $$ | Amazon |
| GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini | Ease of use | $ | Amazon |
Insta360 GO 3
Crafted for the equestrian spirit, this compact, lightweight camera is your perfect companion on all equine escapades. Boasting a 150-minute run time, the Insta360 GO 3 is an ideal choice for longer rides.
Its robust and waterproof design means you can confidently take it on beach rides or face unexpected weather conditions without compromising performance.
With a user-friendly one-button operation, the Insta360 GO 3 simplifies the recording process, enabling you to focus on the ride. Once you’re finished riding, review and edit your footage using the dedicated app.
Click to see it at Amazon
Key Benefits
- 35g camera is lightweight and compact
- Waterproof and durable
- Magnet pendant for body-mounting
- 170 min battery life
- Remote control
- Flip touchscreen
Notable Drawbacks
- Prone to overheating during prolonged use.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Cambox V4 Pro
The Cambox V4 Pro promises to revolutionize helmet-mounted cameras for horse riders. Instead of having a bulky block attached to your head, the Cambox fits snugly under the peak of your helmet, providing a streamlined filming experience.
Click to see it at Amazon
Additionally, the 135° wide-angle lens enables you to capture expansive views and dynamic moments, adding a cinematic flair to your horseback adventures.
On the downside, the battery life isn’t sufficient to capture long rides at optimal quality, so you may need to downgrade the quality in exchange for extended recording time during lengthier rides.
Key Benefits
- Streamlined mounting
- Compatible with both iOS and Android
- Ease of use
- Good image quality
Notable Drawbacks
- Limited battery power and run time
Where to Buy: Amazon
Sony RX0 II 1”
Drop-proof, crush-proof, and waterproof, this compact camera was designed for rough and tumble experiences easily translatable to the equestrian world. While not an action camera as such, the Sony RX0 II 1” can shoot 4K footage at speeds up to 30 fps and create high-quality stills.
Click to see it at Amazon
On the plus side, you can take ultra-slow-motion footage, which you can’t do with other helmet-mounted cameras.
While ideal for selfie shooting and vlogging, this camera isn’t great for those wanting to capture a specific moment, as you’ll likely miss the opportunity while fiddling with the focus.
Key Benefits
- Durability—drop-proof, crush-proof, and waterproof
- High-quality footage and stills
- Image stabilization
- Compact matchbox-sized body
- Good battery life and run time
Notable Drawbacks
- The lack of continuous auto-focus makes it difficult to keep a moving subject in focus.
Where to Buy: Amazon
DJI Osmo Action 3
Cold-resistant and waterproof, this camera will gamely go where other cameras fear to tread. It has a HorizonSteady feature that stops the footage from tilting or distorting, meaning you can capture every movement—even on a wild ride over challenging terrain.
Click to see it at Amazon
The battery life is also impressive, giving you up to 160 minutes of continuous footage.
Compatible with iOS and Android operating systems, the DJI Oslo Action 3 is versatile and comes with a dedicated app that gives you more freedom to explore your creativity.
Key Benefits
- 160 minutes of footage
- Durable, waterproof, and cold-resistant body
- HorizonSteady keeps the image stable even when the camera rotates
- Quick-release mounting system for ease of use
Notable Drawbacks
- The setup process can be complex, and the camera isn’t compatible with all phones.
Where to Buy: Amazon
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini
This compact camera is durable enough to withstand the rigors of horseback riding, from dusty trails to unexpected jolts. It can produce high-quality footage, immortalizing every trot, canter, and jump, in 4K resolution.
Click to see it at Amazon
On the downside, the battery life only lasts for around an hour when filming at 4K, so could be limiting for riders embarking on lengthy trail rides or adventures.
Key Benefits
- Compact and rugged
- Waterproof
- Approximately one hour of run time at 4K resolution
- Video stabilization
- Ease of use
- Compatible with both iOS and Android
Notable Drawbacks
- Prone to overheating, especially if you’re limited airflow by riding at a slower pace.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Various Ways to Video Your Ride
Helmet-mounted cameras are just one way of filming yourself riding. This particular method is particularly popular among trail riders and adventurists. Let’s start by chatting through the different methods for capturing your favorite moments in the saddle.
A helmet-mounted camera, however, may be less useful for those who spend more time in the arena.
When working in the arena, a movement-tracking camera is more effective at capturing that perfect half-pass or figuring out exactly what’s going on when you ask for a flying change.
Types of Riding Cameras
Helmet Mounted Camera
A helmet-mounted camera is ideal for filming the terrain and capturing special moments with friends.
It allows you to capture the essence of your riding experience while providing additional safety by enabling you to film any accidents or incidents that occur when you’re out and about with your equine buddy.
Body Mounted Camera
Some riders prefer body-mounted cameras to helmet-mounted alternatives because you get smoother footage from a body-mounted camera, and it does a better job of capturing the experience of traveling over rough terrain.
On the downside, you could end up with a lot of footage of your horse’s head and neck… and not much else.
Stationary Camera
A stationary camera is a great option for riders who want to focus on specific training sessions or activities in the arena. Set up on a tripod or fixed mount, this camera allows you to review and analyze your riding technique, horse movements, and overall performance.
While it lacks the dynamic perspective of a helmet, or body-mounted, camera with movement-tracking capabilities, a stationary camera provides a consistent angle for detailed assessment and improvement.
Movement Tracking Camera
Movement-tracking cameras, like the SoloShot & Pixio, are becoming increasingly popular in the equestrian world. Instead of asking a friend to video you perfecting your take-off, you can do it yourself with a movement-tracking camera.
Not only will it follow your every move, but it also can provide valuable insights into your riding technique and your horse’s performance.
These cameras often come equipped with advanced features such as automatic subject tracking, ensuring that you remain the focal point of the footage.
Best Helmet-Mounted Camera Considerations
In the past, GoPro cornered the market for helmet-mounted cameras, but that’s no longer the case. There are quite a variety of helmet-mounted cameras available to equestrians, making finding the best helmet-mounted camera challenging.
From video quality and stabilization features to durability and ease of use, each factor plays a crucial role in ensuring that your equine escapades are captured in all their glory.
Cost vs. Image Quality
There’s little point in filming your ride if the result is a grainy, gray blur that fails to capture the essence of your equestrian experience.
While image quality is vital, it comes at a price.
Invest in a quality helmet-mounted camera, and you’ll be able to capture high-quality footage regardless of the weather. If you want to save money, however, you might have to lower your expectations in terms of image quality.
Size, Shape & Weight
If you’ve got a bulky camera strapped to your head, it may become uncomfortable on longer rides and affect your balance, making it harder to stay in the saddle.
A heavy camera may also cause you to lose your balance, increasing your chances of a fall.
A lightweight camera will be more comfortable to ride with and have less impact on your seat.
How to Mount to Your Helmet
While there are only a handful of helmet-mounted cameras designed specifically for equestrians, most come with an array of mounts, straps, and other accessories that enable you to attach them firmly to your helmet.
A camera that’s bouncing around will not only be uncomfortable for the wearer, but also deliver poorer-quality footage.
There’s also a chance that a poorly mounted camera could come off, especially if it’s windy and you’re traveling at high speed.
Durability
Any item that’s exposed to the equestrian world needs to withstand the rigors of the environment, and helmet-mounted cameras are no exception.
Durability is a critical consideration when choosing the right camera for your rides.
Your equine adventures might involve dusty trails, sudden downpours, or accidental knocks against branches. A durable helmet-mounted camera ensures that it can handle the bumps, jolts, and weather challenges that come with horseback riding.
Weatherproof / Waterproof
Water-resistant or waterproof features can safeguard against unexpected rain, ensuring your camera remains operational even in less-than-ideal weather conditions. It also means if you take an unexpected tumble into a water jump or puddle, your camera will survive the experience.
It doesn’t matter how fancy or expensive your gear is if you don’t know how to use it! Check out our article on how to film yourself riding for some easy, actionable tips!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you ride a horse with a GoPro?
Wearing a GoPro, especially one as small and lightweight as the Hero 11 Mini, shouldn’t impact your riding at all. Whether you opt for a chest mount or helmet mount, the camera won’t restrict your movement or disrupt your balance.
There are some concerns that a helmet-mounted camera could cause injury in the event of a fall, but most will break away at the point of impact.
Q: How do you mount a GoPro to a horse-riding helmet?
The GoPro comes with an elastic strap to mount it onto your helmet.
Place the mount for your GoPro at the front of your helmet and then pull the straps over the helmet. You should have one strap over the top of the helmet and one on either side.
The plastic GoPro bar should be at the center of the back of your helmet, and the rings that you’ll mount the GoPro on at the front. Pull the straps down as far as they’ll go to ensure a secure fit.
Q: Which is better, GoPro or Cambox?
If you’re after superior image quality, you can’t go wrong with the GoPro, but if you need something more streamlined, the Cambox might be the better choice.
Source: Canva
The GoPro is renowned for its exceptional image quality, boasting high-resolution footage and advanced stabilization technology, making it a top pick for riders who prioritize visual clarity.
On the other hand, the Cambox offers a more streamlined design, fitting snugly under the peak of your hat for an unobtrusive filming experience. This makes it particularly appealing for riders who engage in complex maneuvers where minimizing bulk and maximizing flexibility are paramount.
Q: How do you mount the Cambox to your helmet?
The Cambox attaches to your helmet with a velcro strip that you attach to the underside of your helmet, just below the brim.
The Cambox offers a secure yet streamlined fit, ensuring the camera remains firmly in place throughout your ride without adding unnecessary bulk or compromising your comfort.
Q: Is the Equisafety Riding Hat Camera good?
The Equisafety Riding Hat Camera is relatively new on the market and hasn’t yet had the opportunity to prove its abilities.
Nevertheless, it has so far established itself as an easy-to-use, durable piece of equipment complete with autofocus and sound recording capabilities.
Source: Canva
Parting Thoughts
Helmet-mounted cameras offer horse riders of every level the opportunity to capture their rides and immortalize their equestrian journey. Beyond the occasional snapshot, these cameras offer a dynamic means to document training sessions, relive the exhilaration of trail rides, and share those cherished moments.
Helmet-mounted cameras also provide safety while out on the trail, capturing any incidents that may occur and offering concrete visual evidence.
As you embark on your next adventure with your equine companion, why not capture the beauty of the ride with a helmet-mounted camera and start weaving a visual narrative of your equestrian experiences?
P.S. Enjoy this article? Trot on over to:
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