falling-off alarm

[scattergun]

My elderly father insists on riding a bonkers horse despite being 3 score years and ten. He also has a dodgy heart. Does anyone know of an alarm that will locate him by GPS and alert us if he falls off? Using a falling-over alarm won't work when riding because of the jolts and changes of position (if he gave up jumping fallen trees, that would help). We need something more specific. Any ideas?

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

CRIKEY! He sounds like a proper lad! Good for him! I've got no idea about the alarm, I'm afraid, but I just wanted to express my admiration!

[scattergun]

He randomly bought a new horse a few years ago and wasn't sure if he had been broken so suggested I try him first to find out because my bones will heal more quickly if not. So I did. It's clearly a genetic problem.

It's really my Mum being protective. I've been riding with him for 35 years so I know if he had to go he would probably prefer that it would be flying from a horse, but my Mum's worried.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

I'm quite I'm half his age, and I'm too scared to actually hack any more! And I quite agree. That's the way I'd like to go! if I had the guts anymore

[scattergun]

Why the fear of hacking?

I love horses with a passion but am pedestrian at the moment because one of the bonkers horses shook my nerve. My Dad has a beautiful horse for me in the field (a rescue horse so if I don't ride her, she's still got more clover than was coming) and I would love to ride her but have lost my nerve (which survived 25 years of horses no-one else would ride). How do you get it back or, once the nerves set in, is that it?

I'd like to apologise to the OP for diverting the thread but...

[limepickle]

Horserider SOS should do the trick! Available on android at least.£4.99. I've not used it but keep meaning to!

[SilverSky]

What about those things in ski jackets in case you get avalanched?

[limepickle]

Sorry, should have said a bit more. Start it when you get on and if it detects no movement for a definable period, will alert some emergency numbers you have added and will have your gps location. Check out horseridersos.com! Gets good reviews!

[limepickle]

silversky I think those things work with something like a metal detector; the "detector" needs to be relatively close to you( a few feet under snow) as opposed to them sending a signal with a gps location.

[LowRegNumber]

What about an iPhone with the find phone app? I know it won't tell you if he comes off but at least you can locate him if he is late back etc (infact I think your mum would be able to track him every step lol). He sounds totally fantastic - but I am not sure my nerves would take him!

Wrt nerve, I lost mine after a few bad falls so, eventually, I worked up the guts to get on a friends riding school horse (not your average dead in the head Ned but predictable enough) and worked up from there. I can still only cope with a pretty sedate horse but I am thinking about going cross country schooling on a friends big armchair soon [brave] I know it seems q come down but I found letting it all go and starting again from scratch (infact even referred to myself as a total novice rider) takes the pressure to perform away and people are happy to let you take your time.

[scattergun]

I was thinking of the avalanche things. He needs something that detaches if he ejects from the saddle. Any motion detectors are likely to be triggered by normal horse movements. I'll have a google at horse-rider sos.

Apparently you can also get air-bags for motorbikes now, that blow up if you fall from a bike. If we could sellotape cushions around the old codger, get an airbag jacket and an alarm, we'll have done all we can, and he'll just shrug and be oblivious to our concerns. Honestly, it should be the kids I'm worrying about.

[LowRegNumber]

Ooh lime, that sounds good, am off for a nosey!

[LowRegNumber]

Has he got one of the gas body protectors? They are rather good.

[Butkin]

Can't add anything to the above except to make sure that he carries his mobile and that it is on a service provider that gives perfect coverage in the area he rides.

I'd also think about getting him to ride in a Point2 protector but at his age he may resist!

[Booboostoo]

There are alarms for vulnerable people who are set off if they fall down:

www.buddi.co.uk/

and GPS tracker systems:

www.amazon.com/iTracker-Worldwide-Tracker-People-Cars/dp/B004X46K0I?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Would something like that help?

[Backinthebox]

Top marks to your dad! He should come down here and hack out with the local lady landowner who is still hacking out on her youngsters at the age of 84. At least he'd have someone to look out for him!

To all those who say they have lost their nerve for hacking - not all lovely safe horses are 'dead in the head.' My young lad takes a novice mother out hacking with her child on my pony, but also jumps 5ft hedges for fun. 'Safe' does not necessarily mean 'boring.'

[LowRegNumber]

Yes, that is why I said not dead in the head - and I was referring to the riding school element, I certainly did not say he was boring, just sedate, unlike the lunatics I used to ride.
It is odd, I used to think only fast and nutty was fun, now I realise there is plenty of fun to be had at a more gentle pace.

[AlpinePony]

I hear you. :( I offered my mum my bomb-proof, extremely hardy Haflinger about 6 years ago. She refused him and went out and bought a 4 year old with a reputation... cue a trip to the hospital in a helicopter and then pretending to my dad for years after that she was no longer riding...