Kids Body protector

[Brendabigbaps]

My 9yr old has started doing more than plod, she has been using the schools body protectors but they’re old, ripped & worn.
So I need to get her one, any recommendations please for a cheapish one that will last both growth wise and quality wise. I don’t mind paying more if it’s going to last.
We don’t have any equestrian shops locally so I’m stuck with online and they all seem to be £100+

thanks X

Weirdly I was just coming on here to ask about selling body protectors… They weren’t used when I was a horsey child!

DD (10) has outgrown her Outlyne airowear - I’ve not come on here touting to flog it but to ask if it’s okay to pop on eBay. Is it the done thing? She’s never had a bump or fall in it. If they do go 2nd hand, what’s reasonable? It was £121 new (size 4)

The issue is they need to fit.
So buying one to grow into isn’t really going to work. If they don’t fit they can either catch the back of the saddle or sit too high up to protect parts of you they should be protecting.
i think the old school Rodney Powell ones that you could adjust quite a bit don’t exist anymore? They were ugly but quite popular for a time.
Anything with Velcro shoulders you’ll get a bit of extra length from over time but realistically not loads. Race safe are the best but not that adjustable.

Re selling it’s no from me. Even if she’s not had a fall the foam loses it’s ability to do it’s job over time. Also I’m not calling you a liar, but if I was giving someone advice on what to buy I’d say not second hand as anyone could say they’ve never had a fall in it

This!

@AgathaMystery I agree that body protectors and hats both need to be fitted properly and I’d never buy secondhand

@Brendabigbaps is the riding school insisting on a body protector? Unless your daughter’s jumping or doing XC I wouldn’t have thought it would be necessary and to be honest wearing a badly fitting, worn-out body protector could be worse than not wearing one at all. If she’s jumping then yes, you will need to get one fitted (don’t get the cheap ones from decathlon as the cheaper ones don’t meet current safety standards) and unfortunately they are expensive

I swear by racesafe as they are light and comfortable and don't restrict movement in the same way others can. There is some scope for adjustment with laced sides but it's absolutely crucial it fits properly now. Personally my dc only wear them if doing cross country or something equally as risky though as the hinderance can affect position, potentially cause accidents, can give false sense of security and also can cause injuries that might not have happened in more minor falls, especially as said if not an absolutely perfect fit. Lots of people don't use them now except for higher risk disciplines for the above reasons

Thanks ladies. I do agree re: people saying they haven’t had a fall etc - it happens and some people have no conscience and would lie. I wouldn’t buy a 2nd hand riding hat/cycling helmet or car seat or stuff like that.

I will see if I can pass it on to a friend. Bloody thing is practically brand new.

Doesn't matter what other people might lie about - if you know yours is all good then no harm in offering it for sale. Plenty people do buy them 2nd hand

Having recently spent £200 on Racesafe that my daughter doesn't wear, as her jumping coach is against them (unless it's for XC), I don't know how much use you will get out of yours. Our previous riding school insisted on body protectors for jumping, but there is a school of thought that they should only be used for XC, as they affect position. I actually had a thread about this on here about a month ago.