horse riders and body protectors, what do you think?

[dolally]

dd(15)had a nasty fall during riding last november. Hurt her back, taken to hospital, xrays and everything done but no permanent damage. Dh and I want her to wear her body protector in all lessons but it seems that no-one does, except maybe in cross country. What do you think?

She says the body protector is soooo uncomfortable, is there an alternative? What are your rules/opinions/ideas?

gawd winnie.

lucky you're not dead you mean?

I know it's bolting the stable door (no pun intended) and all that but...please wear a body protector!?!?

Blimey! I rode from the age of 9 to 18. Jumped, cross country, hacked on mad dippy horses. Fell or was thrown more times than I can remember - broke bones, loads of bruises. I've never heard of a body protector. Can anyone link me to one?

I am serious! I haven't ridden regularly for nearly 20 yrs though so accept I am behind the times.
Looking back, my riding school was a compensation lawyer's dream come true. I rode stupid horses that I really shouldn't have, and even had to ride back home after a fall with a broken and dislocated elbow (that necessitated a hospital admission later that day and three operations to correct)
A body protector seems like an odd but good idea!

katepol

Katepol sounds like my old riding school too, lots of silly goings on with no protectors and why did Shetland pony racing make me think of Thelwell but you have made me think about back protectors girls, so thanks my dd's aren't quite old enough to be bothered about riding yet, but when they get there I shall remember protectors for them.

Thank you pixel - looks like a buoyancy aid kind of thing I suppose. I imagine they can be a bit of a pain, but ok if the fit is good?
Do they work though? Is the idea mainly to protect the internal organs?

Frizbe - lol! I would have kittens if my dc's did anything like we did! H&S was definitely not an issue for my stables. I would like my dc's to ride, but tis very expensive these days . I don't think I could watch them doing cross country though!

I hardly wore mine, hence major back problems @ 21.... but I still wouldn't wear one on the flat even now, I find them a complete nightmare. The back protectors (IME) are for after you have injured your back, it eases the pain being held up abit - definatly not for protection.

Ladyofwaffle, sounds like you'd rather have this one then.

I've never worn one and don't really think one is necessary unless jumping or riding a spooky/green horse, but I will probably get one when I buy a horse seeing as I will be doing higher jumps, cross country jumping and drag hunting etc. which can be quite accident prone lol.

katepol they did exist 20 years ago, certainly were compulsory for jockeys and xc under BE rules 20/25 years ago.

I've never worn one and don't make my 8yo wear one either (but she is happy trotting around a sand arena for the most part).

I hurt my back jumping this week but a body protector wouldn't have helped, it was just an awkward jolt. Not even a very high jump.

I only wear one for jumping, but when dd rides off the lead rein (she is only 2) I will insist on her wearing one, its the same with her hat. No hat no horse!!

But then she even helps with muking out!! she is 25 months old.....but I am strict

I've dug out some old photos, to try an work out how long we've had to wear them for, and certainly at a BHS (now BE) ODE in 1981 it looks like i'm just wearing a jumper, by the same contrast in 1989 i can definately see the awkward body protector shape underneath. But no intervening photos clear enough to draw a line, certainly wouldn't have had one on unless was forced to by rules.

She should wear one while jumping and also when riding a very young inexperienced horse but other wise she needn't. Far too bulky and uncomfy for anthing else - especially in summer!!!

Frizbe - the Shetlands do look at lot like Thelwells right now - very hairy and round! But they will be at least part clipped by the time racing starts, if only so the girth can be buckled without getting tangled in their coat.
Cute they may look but they are swines! Have no real prior experience with Shetlands so I don't know if it is because these are racing ponies or if it is a natural characteristic. But I reckon by the time dd can manage to be properly 'in charge' of what is going on, then she will pretty much be able to ride anything!

lots of kids seem to wear them - I think all the jumping children have to. Maybe it becomes more unfashionable when children turn into teenagers?

I find horse-riding a scary thing so I like dd1 to wear hers.

Bamzooki, its cause Shetlands are swines in fact I've not met many small ponies that aren't. They seem to have the same complex that small men have

My dd doesnt wear one indoors and is only just starting out but I will insist when she starts going out or doing more than just trotting about. in a sand arena.

I have never worn one but then although I rode every day and re schooled horses as a teenager never had a really bad fall. I must say as a nurse I have seen so many injuries that as I said I will insist for dd when she goes out of the indoor school.

They are blinking expensive as well though.

i had a bad fall 5 months ago i the horse just tripped while trotting, ive been riding 12 years and if it wasn't for the body protector i would of broke my back in 2!! i had 2 broken vertebrae's and 1 hair line factor. better safe than sorry!