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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

Body protectors ?

25 replies

CMOTdibbler · 28/04/2010 21:15

Bit of a stupid question really, but when do you think one should start wearing a body protector ?

DH thinks I should get one, but I don't see other adults wearing them for anything less than jumping - he is concerned that now I'm doing more hacking inc on roads theres more of a chance of spooking and getting thrown.
He's right of course, but don't want to seem like a total wuss - or is there any downside to wearing one ?

OP posts:

Butkin · 29/04/2010 10:21

Difficult one because it is like wearing a helmet when on a push-bike ie you know you really should do all the time but who does?

Personally we wear our body protectors when jumping although (perverse I know) I don't wear one when out hunting.

DD is not allowed on a pony without one and we all love her Rodney Powell one with the zip up the front.

Alicetheinvisible · 29/04/2010 10:28

Personally i hate them, but having grown up only wearing one for cross country i find them quite restrictive, although when i fell pg with DD i was still riding out racehorses (and 2yr olds) so wore one all the time and soon got used to one.

There are new inflatable type jackets that seem very good, or you could go with the sort that stable lads and jockeys now wear that are very lightweight and compact. will try to find some links (anything to put off the housework!)

this is the one i have. I am 5ft3 so had to get the child's extra large, was very stiff until i had sweated in it (gross i know, but heat helps them mould)

these are the inflatable ones i think they are expensive but would be more comfortable especially on hot days.

Alicetheinvisible · 29/04/2010 10:32

here are the racesafe ones. A lot of the lads prefer these over the more solid ones

Alicetheinvisible · 29/04/2010 10:35

First link doesn't seem to work, here it is again

iggypiggy · 29/04/2010 10:40

The downside - I think - is that they restrict your movement - so sometimes they can make you more likely to become unbalanced and therefore fall off.. Personally, I wear one for xc and not for anything else...

However - I have been riding for so long that it seems silly to suddenly start with a body protector now...

seems reasonable to wear them for jumping - I wouldn't for hacking, but just depends on whther you think you balance / ability to stay on during a spook on a hack would be made worse by wearing one or not?

oldernowiser · 29/04/2010 14:53

I thought about getting one, but tried one and found it impossibly restrictive (I tend to forget to breathe anyway and it didn't help)

I'm quite tempted by the inflatable ones though as I am still a bit scared of falling off on the road.

I think it depends on how you feel most confident to be honest. Lots of adults do wear them, it doesn't mean you're a wuss (and you could always wear it under a jacket)

Original poster

CMOTdibbler · 29/04/2010 21:28

Thanks all - will think about it a bit more and prevaricate before paying lots for something I might not wear a lot.

DS has a zip up Rodney Powell one now, and loves it for some reason

OP posts:

ceb80 · 29/04/2010 21:34

For the Point 2 jackets (inflatable ones) to be effective they recommend that you wear them over a body protector so that may put you off!
There have been big debates in Nag and Dog over them but I'm convinced by the picture on pg 4 of this weeks magazine of Ollie Townend walking away relatively unhurt from a crashing fall in Kentucky. Will try to find link.

ceb80 · 29/04/2010 21:41

Sorry can't find the picture

Alicetheinvisible · 30/04/2010 07:44

I saw that video, was very nasty.

I think they should be used over a body protector when xc etc, but if you are just considering whether you want one or not, could be a good middle ground iyswim?

ceb80 · 30/04/2010 12:47

Yes I think it is a case of something better than nothing but I still don't think they have tested them thoroughly enough yet (although I think Ollie helped with that!)

horseyrider · 03/07/2010 16:35

I always wear a body protector whenever I ride. Doing otherwise would be like tempting fate, as there is no such thing in my experience as an unspookable horse.

To me riding a horse without a hat or body protector is the equestrian equivalent of driving a car and not wearing a seatbelt and in my opinion it should be made compulsory.

Sorry for the rant but thats how I feel about these things.

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 04/07/2010 18:01

It all depends how the one you get fits you. Being short, fat and having huge norks!, I found it very difficult to find one that fitted. I ended up with a Rodney Powell, and the fitting took 2 hours!! Even so. It was extremely uncomfortable and the back used to bump the bottom of my hat! (have short neck too!) I used to wear it when jumping or hacking though. The roads round here are rubbish, busses, lorries and giant tractors. I wouldn't take the risk of not wearing one when on the roads.

bumpsoon · 18/07/2010 18:53

I dont know if anyone elae hs said this ,but if you are insured it can be void if you are not wearing one

bumpsoon · 18/07/2010 18:53

i dont wear one though !

3LittleMonkeys · 18/07/2010 20:29

If wearing one will make your husband happier when you are out hacking then what is the problem? I used to wear one at all times and soon found it confortable and felt it odd without one. (don't ride now) While out hacking you could get thrown on stones, walls and fences so a really good idea!

Tangle · 18/07/2010 21:56

The RaceSafe ones are very comfy as they have all the little linked panels. - especially if you have a bust. I found it a lot less restrictive than the more solid versions.

Body protectors got a lot more common on our yard after one of the experienced riders on a (usually) very well behaved horse was out for a hack. Horse spooked, bolted, she came off and needed an air ambulance. She wound up with a number of cracked ribs and a punctured lung... Once she was able to she bought a BP with collar bone extras.

Cheria · 24/01/2011 11:09

Wear one. I didn't, and after 15 years riding a couple of years ago my horse spooked, at trot, on the flat, in an indoor school. I fell off, and broke part of my spine, my spleen threatened to rupture and had a selection of cracked ribs and bruises.

I still haven't been able to ride again, though hope to later this year after DD is born.

Accidents can happen to anyone - this was just a momentary lack of concentration on my part - on any horse at any time. If I had been wearing a body protector it would not have been so serious.

Mermaid2 · 24/01/2011 11:47

I never used to wear a body protector, either out riding or in school, but had nasty fall (bike involved) and since then tend to wear one as a matter of course.

DD has to wear one at all times when riding her pony too, I hear too many stories of internal iunjuries etc due to kicking etc and I think its better to be safe.

It is restrictive I agree but the pros outways the cons IMO.

ManateeEquineOhara · 26/01/2011 12:56

I wear mine if I am going to be jumping. When I started riding again after a horse-injury-enforced break, I was a bit nervous and felt more confident wearing a body protector. Can't breathe in the damned thing though!

horsemadmom · 26/01/2011 14:33

I love my Outlyne! I have a big bust, narrow waist and short back and put up with a child size large that I couldn't breathe in until I saw a photo of myself with my elbows out like bird wings. Too much side padding. It was also so hot to ride in that one day I took the hateful thing off and two minutes later.... I had been thrown 360 degrees over Neddie's head and landed tucked on the middle of my back. Thank goodless our school is very well surfaced and I escaped with just bruises and inflammation (almost two yrs ago and not yet healed). I could have done permanent damage.

After the realisation that I needed a comfy BP that I would look half decent in, I bought my Outlyne. It is not bulky, not nearly as hot and I forget I have it on.

Pixel · 26/01/2011 19:15

That sounds just the one I should get. I've got a big bust too and it's always put me off getting a body protector as I thought it would be uncomfortable. I've just googled and found them for a reasonable price online but I imagine it's something that really needs to be tried on. Besides, when you click on 'size' there are about 20 of them, I wouldn't have a clue! I need to find somewhere local that stocks them...

Shame my birthday was in November. I didn't know what I wanted then when everyone was asking me.

horsemadmom · 28/01/2011 13:36

Definitely get it correctly fitted just like a hat. If it helps to keep you safe, it is worth every penny to buy it in a shop from someone who knows what they are doing.

geekgirl2000 · 28/01/2011 21:52

I bought one a year or so ago and said I would only wear for jumping. However, I now never get on a horse without it. This may seem a bit excessive, but sods law is the day i think I dont need it and leave it in the car, the horse goes up when I am just having a 'plod' along the lane or just doing some quiet groundwork in the school. Last time I fell off I was on a 'quiet' hack and horse carted me and I was knocked off by a low hanging branch. My lower back took the impact (on concrete!!)- actually, the back protector tool the impact and I didn't feel a thing :-)

They can be uncomfortable as hell and make dismounting a pain, but feel much safer in mine. And DD is never allowed to ride without hers!!

Echo comments above about getting it fitted. Although it is cheaper to buy online, you are much better going to a tack shop and getting fitted by the experts.

Pixel · 28/01/2011 23:22

Well I had planned to go to a tack shop and find out my size, then buy it cheaper online , but I think I'm going to try and get to Robinsons at some point as they are much cheaper than local rip off joint tack shop that stocks them. Think it will be a couple of hourse each way though so am thinking saving up and day trip.

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