Body Protectors

[roseyposeysmum]

My dd is 5 and has been riding since Jan, she has got herself up to a really good trot and a little bit of canter and would live at the stables if she could get away with it.
After Christmas she is going to be starting cantering more and they are looking at getting her into tiny jumps (her pony is a shetland). Obviously she is very excited i am excited but a bit of a nervous wreck even though i know i put my mum through this when i was my dd's age.

We were watching a lesson the other day and one of the girls was jumping and came of (only a soft bounce) but it made me think about when my dd starts to do all this and when would be the right time to get her a body protector, she has not fallen off yet (not for the lack of trying on her very bouncy ponies part) and the thought of them little bones and insides getting hurt when she does fills me with dread, i know the faster she goes and more jumping she does the more likely she is to fall off.

Would you recommend them just for jumping or also when she starts to do faster work as well, she tried one on the other day as we have a tack shop and you would have thought i'd have put her in a straight jacket. But i thought the younger she is getting used to it then it will not be a big deal when she gets older.


All tips appreciated.

[wecantallbeperfect]

Expensive, but try a racesafe body protector. They're more flexible than 'normal' body protectors. They mould to the body and have laced up the sides for adjustment. Both my DD's have them, one is an eventer and the other hacks, flat work and some jumping. Both say they are really easy to move in and so much better than their old body protectors.
Hth

[CMOTDibbler]

She needs a body protector, and she'll get used to it. My ds has fallen off rather a lot, and hasn't hurt himself at all in his Rodney Powell. We have a 'no hat, no bp, no horse' policy, and at our yard everyone wears BPs, so theres no arguement

[Mirage]

Mine aren't even allowed to bring the ponies in without a hat and BP on.I might be paranoid,but ponies are unpredictable and although I know accidents happen and it is a risky hobby,I feel that I've done my best safety wise.My two never even think twice about their BP's now,they know the rule.Can you try a few different makes? Some are more comfortable than others.

[Altamoda]

The 7 and 11 year old have to wear them (plus a neckstrap) when jumping. The 15 year old doesn't need to for lessons or sj but definitely for hunting and xc

[Altamoda]

Unless you are made of money I wouldn't bother with a racesafe or Rodney Powell (although they are both excellent bps). A 5 year old on a Shetland will be fine with a well fitting champion for about 60

[Lovesswimming]

I'm not sure racesafe do the flexible one that size (unless it's changed on the past year or so) my daughter got they're smallest size at about aged 7 only just. The smaller ones they do are like the champion ones. I would get her something soon. If I was you I'd go to a local shop with a few makes and try a few on with them (they should fit them) they'll be able to talk you through the different makes and help you chose. We all have racesafes, but as I say from
about 7 or 8 yrs for that flexible style.

[LoveSewingBee]

Smallest racesafe f,or kids is medium, so will be much too big. I would try Air-o-wear, they can be shortened by the factory at no extra cost if necessary and can be adjusted to fit v. small kids. Personally I think a bp is as important as a hat and all kids should wear one IMO.