Air jackets help

[Mollyplop999]

Hi I'm 59 and after a recent bad fall I'm considering getting an air jacket. Does anyone on here have one ? I hate back protectors as i feel so restricted. Are air jackets comfortable and could anyone recommend a make they like please?
Thank you 🤗

[Lastqueenofscotland2]

I think really they are meant to be worn with back protectors as extra level of protection?
Personally I don’t like them as they can scare the shit out of a horse with the “bang” when they go off which could be a disaster if you’ve got a foot caught in the iron or you’re near a road.

[maxelly]

Yes I think most are meant to be worn over a body protector so won't help with the restriction (I think although obviously the inflation helps take the impact of falls they lack the rigidity which is important to protect the spine and internal organs - the rigidity of course being why body protectors are so uncomfortable to wear). That being said a girl on my yard has one which is an integrated air vest and body protector which looks a lot more light weight and less bulky than other body protectors, plus I saw her come off the other day (just a trivial slip off fall) and so heard it 'detonate' - I was surprised by how quiet it was, more of a little pop noise compared the big noisy bang you get with older models, her pony didn't even flinch, you could easily desensitise your horse to it I think which is a big bonus. I was almost a convert until I looked it up (hers is a top of the range airowear) and well, let's just say it's out of my price range...

[Mollyplop999]

Thank you both for replying. Yes the price of the newer ones are scary. I only hack and school, it's not as though as I do cross country! I've literally had 2 falls in 30 years and this last one was partly my fault. I think I may leave it as £500 is beyond my budget atm.

[JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon]

Try a racesafe body protector they are so much softer and lighter than many body protectors. They also have lots of different fits so you can get them really comfortable

[Mollyplop999]

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon thankyou I will have a look

[Snowdays23]

Hi I have the 2 point, got off facebook few years ago for about £90. Ive fallen off twice in 4 years, only due to pony tripping and me losing my balance but I ride in it all the time. Kind of wish I didnt use it all the time but its my security blanket!
My pony hasnt been bothered by the bang but its not really a bang.
I feel safe in mine

[Gurraun]

I have a hit air that I wear pretty much all the time without a back protector (unless I’m going XC). I’ve had it years (as do many of my friends at the yard) and horses are a bit shocked when it goes off but nothing too dramatic. The only time I don’t wear it really is when first backing babies as if it went off then it would be a bad experience.
I’ve only had one decent fall in it - the support round my neck was brilliant. I’ve a friend who falls off in hers regularly and apart from costing a fortune in air canisters it’s really saved her from some
nasty falls.
i think the are worth their weight in gold. A friend recently bought an air jacket designed for motor bikes that was a fraction of the price and seems to do the same job. She got it on Amazon so may be worth a look.

[Snowdays23]

Gurraun
as a 42yr old rider now I feel its better to feel safe! Just incase! and my pony is very safe!

[Ariela]

Your horse is more likely to be shocked at you falling off as opposed to the (fairly quiet) pop of the gas going off
The brand new Racesafe body protectors are ace and very comfortable.

[ipredictariot5]

I have got one after a fall and fractured
shoulder ( I am 54)
would wear with body protector if x country but wear by itself hacking and jumping
it really helps me with confidence (
my fall was a bad take off jumping ) and it hasn’t gone off yet
i did try with a body protector by itself
but it tipped me forward and destabilised me which made me fell less secure

[ipredictariot5]

I’ve got a Seaver
if your confidence is knocked I would say go for it as getting confidence back so important to feel
secure in saddle. Plus I had a lecture at my surgery that old bones take longer to heal

[barkymcbark]

My dd has one that her df bought her and I've had many a disagreement with him about it.

Pony club don't like them and say they need to be used in conjunction with a normal body protector. Her instructor also doesn't like them as they offer no side rib protection.

Also the two times she's fallen off wearing it she's banged her head, one time resulting in a trip to A&E. I think this is because the collar inflates, her neck is protected but it means her head snaps back hits the ground. I don't like them at all and I've now said she has to wear her normal one for competitions, XC and hacking.

[Mollyplop999]

Snowdays23 I completely agree. Although I've only had 3 falls in 30 years , perhaps because of my age it has really knocked my confidence. It's taking ages for my back to heal.
Thank you everyone for your comments, it's certainly given me something to think about. I will look at the Seaver too.

[ZannaDelaney]

Me and my kids have worn air jackets for quite a while now. We all have Ht-Air brand which are very lightweight, they don't feel at all restrictive.

For cross country you are supposed to wear a protector as well.

One of my kids had a straightforward fall off a green horse who hadn't ejected anyone before and although she wasn't injured the horse kicked her in the back as he found himself riderless, panicked and turned and there was a hoof print on her jacket - she didn't have a bruise.

I once broke part of my spine and damaged my spleen falling from a horse and an air jacket could have prevented that.

They obviously don't prevent all injuries and there are disadvantages to them but they do seem to prevent the worst types of injuries providing protecting for most of the torso and the internal organs.

The trainers at our yard recommend them, especially for jumping. Remember that 40 odd years ago people sneered at having to wear a hard hat.

As for the bang - it can startle the spookiest of horses but it's no louder than if they knock a jump down or even clip it.

A tip if you do get one: don't forget to un-clip it before dismounting. The canisters are expensive. The only time I've seen a horse spook from the noise was a forgotten airbag at dismount. He was standing there, end of class, all chilled and then suddenly bang.

[Moanranger]

I have a Point 2 & swear by it. I have had it go off twice, once a fall hacking & the second time was a fall hunting. I have been using them only for hacking, & hunting, but 2 years ago my young horse fell with me in the school & I broke my collar bone, so now I wear one all the time.
They are expensive, but I think worth it.