Airowear shadow

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muddybay

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Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this? I compete at 90 on a sharp horse but my body protector has started giving me quite bad back pain. I still would like a bit of protection just in case! Not sure if it's any good however
 
I live in my Race safe, love it.
2 weeks ago I got roped in to riding friends horse back for her in emergency situ so had to borrow her hat and BP while she got a lift back. Hers is a shadow. I found it blooming horrible compared to mine, definitely not one I'd have. I only had it on for about 40 mins in total, that was 39 minutes too long.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
I live in my Race safe, love it.
2 weeks ago I got roped in to riding friends horse back for her in emergency situ so had to borrow her hat and BP while she got a lift back. Hers is a shadow. I found it blooming horrible compared to mine, definitely not one I'd have. I only had it on for about 40 mins in total, that was 39 minutes too long.
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I have a ti22 at the moment as the racesafe didn't fit me great (too tall for childs too short for adults) and that's what causing the back pain so I'm not sure what to do!
 
muddybay said:
I have a ti22 at the moment as the racesafe didn't fit me great (too tall for childs too short for adults) and that's what causing the back pain so I'm not sure what to do!
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I have a short fitting for my provent 3, you definitely need to go to a decent stockist that has a big stock. I waited for Royal Windsor show 5 yrs ago and got fitted by a big tradestand stockist early in the day, my size is not one kept as std at my 2 most local saddlery stores, in fact I was told there wasn't one to fit me by one! The other shop phoned Race Safe who suggested X was going to the show and they would ensure they had potential sizes, brilliant service.
I've since replaced it with same size from local helpful store who got one in for me to same fitting.
 
Sossigpoker said:
Given that i broke my back wearing a body protector, I would only recommend an air jacket now.
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I'm sorry that happened to you. I have both a Hit Air and the Racesafe Provent :).

An air jacket is not always appropriate, especially if you are not riding your own horse. A good body protector is much better than nothing.
 
muddybay said:
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this? I compete at 90 on a sharp horse but my body protector has started giving me quite bad back pain. I still would like a bit of protection just in case! Not sure if it's any good however
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If you want to step down from a body protector to a back protector, try looking at the back protectors by Komperdell (or many other manufacterers....lots of brands/models to choose from in the motorcycle and skiing world). I just bought a Komperdell, as I'd like a little back/spine protection for show jumping, but don't want to use a body protector (I wear one on the rare occasions we go XC schooling for fun, we're not eventers). Feedback on the Shadow so far is that it's sized extremely small and they don't offer a full range of sizes. Real humans seems to struggle to fit them. Great concept and if there was a size that would fit I'd definitely want to try one as they seem low profile enough to sneak under a jacket - but it's not happening for me. The Komperdell and ones like it can also be worn under a jacket, but would definitely require one or two sizes up as they look a little thicker than the Shadow.

Haven't jumped yet in my Komperdell. It has no protection on the front and only minimal protection on the sides, but the back protection is more robust than my body protector. It's a tank.
 
Sossigpoker said:
Given that i broke my back wearing a body protector, I would only recommend an air jacket now.
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Some interesting reading from BHS here:
https://www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/tack-and-equipment/what-to-wear/body-protectors

They say about body protectors:
Body protectors are designed to offer protection to a rider when falling off, being kicked or trodden on by a horse.
No body protector can prevent serious injury in every situation, but they can increase the chances of staying alive and reduce the severity of injuries.
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They say about wearing air jackets on their own:
If worn alone, they offer little protection to the rider, and manufacturers state clearly that they should ideally be worn with a BETA level three EN13158 body protector. Air jackets work well for flat falls but offer limited, if any, protection against direct kicks when falling or on the ground.
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It's recommended that air jackets are worn over the top of body protectors. BP's might not save you from breaking your back, but they can help prevent damage to your organs by absorbing some of the blow from a stray hoof to the gut, or prevent you from being gored if you land on a sharp branch for example.
 
I've been chucked into an arena fence at a gallop but I didn't even feel it thanks to my air jacket.
An air bag will always be my choice over foam padding.
 
The blurb for the Shadow states that it is not suitable for XC. It's not got Beta approval at any level. Honestly not sure why anyone would bother with one ?‍♀️.

https://www.charlesowen.com/products/the-shadow

Not intended for cross-country riding. This product only protects the back and does not offer protection to ribs or against severe torsion, flexion, or extension or crushing of the body. Refer to the user guide for more information.
 
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