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!

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.

My son's lasted about a year.

They need to be correctly fitted though

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.

I would agree with notasausage on this one ...

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

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

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