Body protector for 4 year old

[smerlin]

I want to get my 4 year old a BP before she starts riding. I know she will be starting on lead rein but am feeling over cautious after I had a bad fall last week.

Have gone to tack shop and found outlyne junior for £100 and racesafe for £130

How long should I expect them to last. Didn’t mind (too much) shelling out for mine as I’m not intending to grow but she rockets up in height every few months it feels!

[ekoor]

Would like to follow this thread too also as my 3 year old rides but I haven't found a protector small enough which doesn't ride up around her ears.

[WasDoingFine]

My son's lasted about a year.

They need to be correctly fitted though

[notasausage]

I might be controversial but I wouldn’t use a body protector until the child is ready to be off lead rein. Body protectors, for all they will provide protection in a fall, they also inhibit development of balance and coordination as even a properly fitted one will restrict movement. It’s a risk/benefit decision for every individual parent but a child being led is at much lower risk of a high speed fall from significant height compared to one under control of their own pony.

[lastqueenofscotland]

I would agree with notasausage on this one ...

[Sparklesandglitter]

I also agree my child wears one for jumping/ XC at PC as it's compulsory but nowhere else she has great balance and is also tiny so it really impacts movement. We have aerowear it cost £55 and is up to standard

[Austentatious]

What notasausage said. Mine got theirs (Harry hall) when they were trotting by themselves

[donajimena]

I used to suspend myself on the pommel when dismounting when I wore mine