Hats, body protectors...

[idontlikealdi]

Dts have finally caught the bug. First immediate is hats, they're doing a very slow rising trot, five lessons in.

Are decathalon ok or do Charles Owen etc trump them. They want skulls.

When do you put them in body protectors?

I was a horsey kid but bps didn't exist then. It's already becoming a ££££££ investment!

I have 2x Charles Owen, 1 skull and 1 traditional. My understanding is that in the Decathlon range, some have passed the relevant standard and are kitemarked (PAS015 2011 I think), and one or two haven't. So I would check that they definitely say they meet the standard, have the kitemark, and are suitable for competition and club riding in the UK. I think they have some hats in the 'Champion' range which DO meet the standard, but a couple that don't, and whilst they may still be perfectly safe, they cannot be used for competitions and club events. You might think this doesn't matter as they're just starting out, but then things can change quickly....this is how me and DD ended up with 2 each (expensive!) as we both had traditional fixed peak hats and then she started doing cross country earlier than I had expected and then we both needed skulls for that.

Apart from that, if it passes muster safety wise, then it's all about fit and comfort...which is where I still prefer to go to a horsey shop and spend time with it on my head and having it sized properly.

Body protectors....a bit more of a personal choice, although some riding schools stipulate them for some activities. I only make DD wear hers if she's jumping or going out of the riding school. We all have them for cross country rides/farm rides etc. Some of the kids wear them all the time and I guess just get used to them....I guess i feel that mine is bulky so I only wear it for cross country, but if kids always wear them, they probably just learn with the added bulk and never notice it.

Similarly with BPs, there is a standard stipulated for club activities etc. but not for regular riding/lessons etc. but after ending up having to double up on hats, I think you might as well get one that meets requirements to avoid buying twice!

Personally I’d get hats from a saddlery not decathlon but make sure that you go somewhere that is doing fittings as some still aren’t . With body protectors I got my children them from when they started trotting just so they got into good habits , although I don’t wear one myself unless I’m jumping .

I would get a hat fitted properly at a saddlery. Different brands are different shapes.

I’d not bother with body protectors until they are doing a bit more. I really don’t like wearing them personally, and know a lot of people who feel the same

YY to what Delia says about hats, the crucial thing is that they have the kitemark and meet the most up to date PAS standard. You can get quite reasonably priced hats that meet this standard and I personally wouldn't compromise there, even for a little one pottering about on the lead rein, head injuries would be one of the most common serious injuries caused by horse riding, accidents can happen even with the safest pony and best precuations and wearing an up to standard hat is a very good protective measure (nb not necessarily an expensive one, the top of the range ones are often about style/look or extra features like ventilation rather than being more safe compared to a middle range one that meets the PAS standards). Fit is important for comfort, nothing will put a DC off riding quicker than if their hat gives them a headache so a good tack shop may have a range to try on and/or help measurement so maybe worth a try (not sure how Covid's impacting atm). Do take good care of the hat and replace it regularly or if it ever gets dropped onto a hard surface...

Body protectors I will admit to being more equivocal about, I rarely wear one myself these days (only really for fast hacks and XC and I do precious little of either being old and decrepit ) and when I had little kids they only wore them for hacking and jumping, not in the school or for normal lessons. It all comes down to personal risk assessment at the end of the day as if you wanted to be absolutely safe unfortunately the answer is not to ride at all, it doesn't hurt to wear a BP but I think the evidence on how protective they are (especially the regular foam ones as opposed to the much more expensive fibreshell or air bag types) is a bit less clear for the kinds of falls children are more likely to have. Sorry to be graphic but it's pretty unlikely (although not totally impossible) a lead rein child would have a rotational fall, they are far more likely to come off over the head or out the side door, where limb, collar bone or head injuries (depending on landing) are more common, BPs don't do anything to help there. Plus they can be quite hot and restrictive (to be effective they must fit the body quite tightly and be fairly rigid, a loose floppy one won't do much at all) which is why I let mine off wearing them a lot of the time, they always whinged about it when I did insist (possibly just me being a negligent parent ), although as PP said if they wear them all the time they will get used to it quicker I guess so that is an argument in favour...

Go to a trusted local shop who will fit the hat to the head, though the cheaper ones are fine as long as they have the up to date safety stamp. More expensive hats tend to be a fashion statement.
With a first body protector, unless you are required to have a certain safety stamp, I would look on eBay. The slightly older ones with the safety label 2000 are a decent level of protection but no longer allow by certain organisations so good value.

Hats : go to a local, recommended approved hat fitter that stocks more than 1 brand. For kids it's best to go for a skull with no fixed peak - you can buy hat silks in pretty colours with peaks (the problem with a fixed peak is if they progress to XC they're not permitted for competition).
Ask that your hat is to the current Pony Club/Riding Club specification.

Whilst Decathlon do cheaper you will not necessarily have a qualified hat fitter 'fit' the hat - some shapes of hat suit some kids head shape better than others. My DD has a very round head and it was difficult for us to find the right brands/models of hat that fitted without going to a specialist tack shop with a large range of hats, the lady there knew with a quick try on of a couple which few brands would fit best, and we've stuck with that brand (Gatehouse HS1) for general use (she has posher ones for competitions, but knows which hats are worth trying on for her head shape now).
For body protector, I'd suggest secondhand (ask locally) as children generally outgrow them very quickly before they get worn out particularly if only riding at a riding school and not their own pony daily, we've a ready group of families with smaller kids below us that take our off-casts through a few kids . I'd say it's all down to confidence of the rider and how well they get on, but the first few lessons it's easier not to be encumbered with a body protector for learning the basics of balance and position, and add in the body protector once they start going faster and jumping.
Once competing XC you'll need to be sure it's to the current standards - some Decathlon are not.

Me and my children all have Charles Owen and they have been my firm favourite for many years. All professionally fitted in the local safety.

In terms of body protectors whilst dc were learning they had cheap ones off eBay. However now they are riding a lot more they wear racesafe.

I ride in my body protector all the time - it’s the only way I can relax.

Thank you all so much!

We were at the stables yesterday and they totally agreed with you re getting properly fitted. None of the saddlery's here are doing it yet but hopefully soon. Decathlon is no.

I've just dug out my own Charles Owen skull (very very old so wont be giving to DC!).

Interesting about BC's that they can be bought second hand, I take it they cant get impact damage like a helmet?

Bear in mind how quickly kids grow! My daughter started riding very young and has had 5 hats! Her head doesn’t fit the cheapest one due to her head shape. She needs a new (3rd) body protector, but she always wears one no hacks or rides in a large field rather than an arena on a speedy pony. If they don’t need a back protector yet by the riding school standards I personally would hold off until they do. Best to get them fitted by a fitter as well.

BPs can be impact damaged and damaged over time so be careful about buying second hand. They aren't essential though, I probably wouldn't bother until they are cantering and jumping but it is personal preference.

Definitely get a helmet that has been properly fitted, if you are close enough Hope Valley at Somerford have a great range and experienced fitters. You may need to ask for a recommendation locally as many tack shops only stock one or two brands which can make getting the correct fit difficult.

Be aware that most riding schools will require a helmet with PAS015 or similar, so check that the helmet is up to current competition standards or you may find it can't be worn in lessons.