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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Do you wear a body protector?

30 replies

iveburntthetoast · 09/04/2018 18:57

I had ponies as a child many years ago when body protectors weren’t a thing. I restarted lessons a couple of years ago after DD1 starting riding. I make her wear a body protector, but haven’t myself. I’ve tried some a few times, but they’re just so claustrophobic, I can’t stand it.

I tried some on again yesterday, but I couldn’t cope wearing it. The woman said it fitted properly, but I couldn’t breath fully. Do others wear a body protector for day-to-day riding? I don’t compete, but do jump in lessons and ride a fairly strong horse who isn’t a novice ride.

The riding school has cross county and SJ competitions in the summer and I’d like to have a go again, but then I think I’d have to wear one.

OP posts:
randomsabreuse · 09/04/2018 19:00

Only for jumping but it's fine for that. I don't find it necessary for flat work on the same and sensible riding school horses. Race safe are the most flexible.

I do find they "warm up" so easier in summer than winter!

ememem84 · 09/04/2018 19:11

No I don’t. My riding school has a policy of anyone under 16 has to wear them. Over 16 with parents permission can go without. Over 18 your choice.

I find them uncomfortable and claustrophobic.

Original poster
iveburntthetoast · 09/04/2018 19:40

I tried a racesafe, but she couldn’t get a proper fit. There was a big gap at the front of the protector above my shoulders. She said this happens with those who have big boobs. She said an aerowear one fitted well, but it was so tight around my ribs that I couldn’t draw a full breath.

OP posts:
Dontknowwhatimdoing · 09/04/2018 19:43

I wear one all the time as I have a young horse, and its always possible I could fall off. What keeps me wearing it is imagining how daft I'd feel if I ended up in hospital with a back injury that could have been prevented.

Original poster
iveburntthetoast · 09/04/2018 20:05

I’ll persist with trying different types. I was talking to one of the people at the stables and her opinion was that they can make things worse, depending on how you fall. Good to protect you if you fall onto your back, but she fell head-down and it jarred her neck/back as she couldn’t roll. I can see how it might happen if the protector is very stiff.

I would wear one without doubt if I can get one to fit.

OP posts:
RatherBeRiding · 10/04/2018 13:16

Only for the odd occasion I am jumping XC fences. Hate them. I find them very restrictive and am convinced I had a fall once because I was wearing one and it made my torso "stiffer" so didn't react as quickly as I should have done.

My daughter also only wears hers for XC. I know very few people at riding club/Pony Club/competition level who wear them for anything else.

Racesafe are by far and away the most comfortable and flexible but if you are a slightly off the peg size it can be difficult to get one to fit.

Original poster
iveburntthetoast · 10/04/2018 18:09

@rather. Yes, that was what I was trying to explain—that the woman I spoke to also felt that the protector had made her ‘stiffer’ and unable to roll with the fall. I can see how that could happen.

OP posts:
Fueledwithfairydustandgin · 10/04/2018 23:59

No I never wear one because I just do bs so you don't have to wear one. I find them difficult to ride in and feel less able to move with the horse

Nearlyoldenoughtowearpurple · 11/04/2018 00:05

I have a racesafe one which I find for big boobs is the most comfy. It does get better the more you wear it but I only wear it if riding a new or young horse or jumping .
I also have an air jacket, that’s much more comfortable and really saved me once when I got thrown upside down into a ditch. Sold that horse and not worn it since though !

Greyhorses · 11/04/2018 07:22

I don’t wear one except for jumping.

I’m not sure they always help in the event of a fall and find them restricting.

I have youngsters though so have been thinking of investing!

plominoagain · 11/04/2018 21:51

I wear one for absolutely everything . Husband made me go out and buy a point two after seeing me and mad horse cartwheel in a rotational fall cross country . But when it really saved my bacon , was when I was out hacking on a really calm day , and our local farmer managed to dislodge his trailer tailgate as he came towards us , dragging it in a shower of sparks . Horse spun, slipped , tried to save himself , failed , and fell on the road , rolling on me in the process . He skinned both his back legs , all I did was break both wrists . It could have been so much worse .

DiseasesOfTheSheep · 11/04/2018 22:48

No I don't - far too restrictive for me. I only wear one for XC, in accordance with the rules. I have an older style racesafe - far preferable to aerowears, which are barbaric instruments of torture (for me, at least!).

It's important to be aware that body protectors are just that - they are designed to protect the body against penetrating injuries. They are good for dispersing force over a wider area, reducing bruising and the likelihood of broken ribs if you fall onto something hard, and with shoulder protectors, may reduce the risk of broken collar bones. They are not designed to protect against spinal injuries - this is why they aren't marketed as "back protectors".

I think it's important to understand the limitations of PPE, because the use of it does affect risk perception, and therefore, risk taking behaviours.

user1488061528 · 22/04/2018 09:08

I broke my back in 4 places 6 years ago so I always wear a back protector and air jacket to ride in. I wear the racesafe, as I've not big boobs and can't breathe in the other makes. However, after my accident a lot of my friends wanted to be better protected and I say if you won't want to wear a back protector, wear a hitair air jacket, as you don't have to wear a body protector underneath as they inflate outwards. They all do now, and can't even feel wearing it! Smile

Asdf12345 · 09/05/2018 15:07

I always wear one for all riding. Likewise the other half always wears an air jacket, plus a traditional back protector if riding cross country as per local rules.

If you can't get a back protector that fits there are a few places that will make to measure at very reasonable prices. Failing that air vests are very nice to ride in albeit at a much higher annual cost once you include servicing and canisters.

Original poster
iveburntthetoast · 10/05/2018 14:59

I ended up getting a Racesafe. They had a 10% sale on so got it for £175. It’s not great, but fits better than anything else I’ve tried. I’m still wearing it around the house just to make sure I’m OK with it.

OP posts:
MrsMozart · 10/05/2018 15:06

I'd get a HitAir.

A BP probably saved me from being paralysed. I came off at the aprx of a 3' jump. My DWB jumped big anyway amd we had a bit of excited speed to add to the mix. I landed on my feet, then crumpled and flew across the school at surface level. I'd suffered a compression fracture at L2 when I initially landed, the following movement would've (possibly) caused the bone to move, but as I had a BP on all was held together.

bigsighall · 10/05/2018 15:56

user1488061528 Are you me?!
Broken back in 4 places after a very small fall so now am better safe than sorry (was only wearing air jacket at the time so now wear both)

rosesandponies · 10/05/2018 23:26

Too scared not to wear one, but when I sent mine for repairs recently I did go out and whilst very nervous I actually felt that rode I much better without it... more flexible... wish I was brave enough to go without all the time 😭

Imapudding · 10/05/2018 23:37

I only wear mine for XC, so when I have to basically. I've hunted for years and never wore one so just not really my thing.

Way i think of it is:
Normal BP - not going to save your life
Air jacket - would save life in rotational fall

So if i ever jump anything big enough to have a rotational again, I'll be wearing an air jacket. I reckon BE 100 is the cut off.

Squirrel26 · 11/05/2018 14:51

I think I’m going to have to get one of these for XC (when I say ‘XC’ I mean ‘XC style jumps of around 80cm in a field’, NOT proper XC). I am bewildered by the choice though - I don’t want to buy an absolute bargain basement one if it’s going to be useless, but on the other hand, I don’t think I’m doing enough to need anything fancy. Also, are BP/ air jackets like hats and 2nd hand ones are a total no-no, or is it OK unless they’re obviously falling apart? Help!

rosesandponies · 11/05/2018 15:28

@Imapudding so when the BHS say that a back protector is the difference between a trip to a&e and getting back on, or walking again and a wheelchair are they being ridic? My mother says if you're going to hurt yourself that badly then nothing really can help you and thinks I'm being ott in a back protector hacking my 15hh cob around the woods - especially as nothing can protect arms, legs and collarbone. Need to build my confidence!

Nearlyoldenoughtowearpurple · 11/05/2018 23:20

It’s interesting this thread, and a similar one on h and h recently. We all know that wearing a bp or air jacket will help to avoid injury in the event of a disaster yet there is a real undercurrent of “ wearing one makes me a wimp”, even among those doing big scarey jumps and those who are happy to wear one. I am equally guilty, internally I feel like I need to man up if I think about putting mine on.
It’s a bit like not needing a seat belt because you trust your car and you know you are a good driver. Daft really !

DiseasesOfTheSheep · 12/05/2018 16:19

I'd like to repeat that there is no such thing as a "back" protector - they are marketed as "body" protectors as they are designed to protect the body/chest area, rather than the spine. Although there are some instances in which the spine may be protected from certain types of injury, it's not wise to consider them a significant or universal protective element for spinal injuries.

Way i think of it is:
Normal BP - not going to save your life
Air jacket - would save life in rotational fall

During a rotational fall, there is every chance that your air jacket will not be activated as you are still pretty much in the saddle. It's also debatable how far an air jacket will protect you in a crush situation - what you really need is a cage bp, like the exo or kans, which I don't think are in production or BETA standard anyway.

Squirrel - you should buy a BP new as the foam can be damaged in a fall and lose its protective qualities - much like a hat. This isn't necessarily visible externally.

Nearly - the difference between a bp and a seatbelt is that the seatbelt doesn't affect the likelihood of you crashing - the influence of a bp on balance, flexibility and maneuverability is significant factor for many people.

WyldDucks · 23/05/2018 23:34

You can get extra panels in the racesafe to take account of boobs. Have a look at Treehouse Sporting Colours website.

I've always worn a BP to ride since the early 1990s, it's just not worth the risk to me, I dearly love my Racesafe although fear it may be reaching the end of its life.

My best friends Mum was saved from paralysis by wearing one, she still ended up in a spinal unit after a bad fall but she made a full recovery, it was an unlucky trip out galloping on a sensible horse.

Whatdoiladymcbeth · 23/05/2018 23:39

Racexsafe for ms too!

The traditional ones are shit.

For an alternative I think that mountain horse do a protective riding jacket why have I’ve always fancied trying.