Are we silly for not wearing body protectors EVERY time we ride?

I find all your opinions very interesting as I am bringing my youngster home next week from being backed and was thinking about investing in a new BP

Not saying your opinions are wrong but could I please ask those of you that only wear your BP for XC (as I have done) and agree that they will not protect you from impacts other than to reduce bruising, what do you think they are going to do for you on a XC course? Why bother at all?

I don’t know if it’s just me but I tend to hit the deck in random incidents more than I do XC?? :D
 
Well firstly I try not to make a habit of falling off ;)

I always wear my BP for xc and occasionally show-jumping if I'm on a green horse.

I don't wear it for flat work as its restricts my movement too much, if I cant ask properly, then the horse isn't going to give its best.

Don't wear it to hack out either, although I should as my horse is an absolute *insert rude word here* on the roads. And jumps around alot. But I'm so used to him, and so used to expecting him to spook the whole time he is yet to catch me out in 9 years.

I think its each to their own, its your risk, you know your horse, you know your ability - its up to you :) Just accept the consequences and 'whatifs' if the worst should happen.
 
I only wear mine for XC (or on any youngster) as I feel there is a far higher likelyhood of me hitting the ground due to fixed obstacles, shorter stirrup length so my centre of gravity far higher and if I do it will most likely be at speed and therefore a much higher risk of bruising. thats why even if it wasn't compulsory I would still wear one XC.

With youngsters again far more chance of hitting the floor again as so unpredictable and the restrictions to my back/riding are not so important at that stage when weighed against risk of bruises! ;)
 
I wear mine all the time (as stated in many other posts :D), but don't get me wrong, I'm under no illusion that I think it will prevent me from a serious injury to my back, hell no.

I just wear it because I think it may reduce the chances of another injury like being kicked in the stomach/back or being trodden on, or landing on a fence post etc, injuries like that, that's the reason I wear mine, in fact I'm more likely to require it when I'm out hacking/schooling in the school than when I'm jumping or doing XC, people automatically think they only need them when jumping (or because you have to when competing in XC) but I spend most of my time when mounted out on the roads, fields, tracks and in the school, which is where I'm most at risk, so it makes sense to me and I'm more than comfortable in wearing it too, so it's not like a chore having to wear it.
 
I wear one all the time for hacking, xc and for sj my mare at the moment.

I'd never dream of not wearing one out hacking, the road is a pretty hard surface to fall on if someone drives round a corner to fast and causes an accident!
Same reason I always wear a hat and always wear hi viz hacking.
I've had too many accidents hacking not to wear one, if I hadn't of been wearing a BP god knows what state I'd be in after some of the accidents I've had!

As for getting in the way when riding a rearer/bucker having ridden a variety of horses who have done both it has never got in the way, but then I do get mine professionally fitted.
 
I only wear mine for XC. Never occured to me to even buy bp until i was going XC when it was required. Jump whilst hacking and hunt etc but never worn a bp. Interesting to see so many people do for all activities.
 
I think society as a whole is getting more risk averse. I came to the conclusion that mine actually makes me more likely to hit the deck as I tend to tip forward in it for some reason. I do really fancy a point two though. I hate falling off. I was speaking to a DC the other day and she reckons that it gives too much of a false sense of security - especially for the gung ho kids.
 
Kenzo said:
I wear mine all the time (as stated in many other posts :D), but don't get me wrong, I'm under no illusion that I think it will prevent me from a serious injury to my back, hell no.

I just wear it because I think it may reduce the chances of another injury like being kicked in the stomach/back or being trodden on, or landing on a fence post etc, injuries like that, that's the reason I wear mine, in fact I'm more likely to require it when I'm out hacking/schooling in the school than when I'm jumping or doing XC, people automatically think they only need them when jumping (or because you have to when competing in XC) but I spend most of my time when mounted out on the roads, fields, tracks and in the school, which is where I'm most at risk, so it makes sense to me and I'm more than comfortable in wearing it too, so it's not like a chore having to wear it.
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alpha1 said:
Not saying your opinions are wrong but could I please ask those of you that only wear your BP for XC (as I have done) and agree that they will not protect you from impacts other than to reduce bruising, what do you think they are going to do for you on a XC course? Why bother at all?

I don’t know if it’s just me but I tend to hit the deck in random incidents more than I do XC?? :D
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Kenzo made the point much better than I did. TBH I have never given it much thought before and cant honestly say I will start to wear one every time I ride my older mare but it does make you think about it and how dangerous it can be no matter what discipline we partake in.

Santa_Claus said:
With youngsters again far more chance of hitting the floor again as so unpredictable and the restrictions to my back/riding are not so important at that stage when weighed against risk of bruises! ;)
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Haha, excellent point and on that note I am def taking myself off to Derby House tomorrow! :)
 
Santa_Claus said:
I agree with your questions and its me answering no to question 1 in that it restricts my body movement when schooling/competing for dressage and also my seat when SJ which has potential to seriously effect our performance in both disciplines hence I only wear it for XC when normally I'm up and out of the saddle and it doesn't restrict me. If there was one which moulded naturally to me and didn't restrict my movement I would wear it all the time even if only to prevent bruises but it doesn't yet exist for me!

and agree Scarymare that is also my belief (hence the above post) although some do offer some impact dispersal as materials are improving and the point2 as an air cushion does so although it is meant to be used at all times with a standard body protector.
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Santa Claus - My post wasnt aimed at you was just trying to pick up on the points you made 'but wearing one my reduce the severity of the injury' and the point about in order for one to be most effective it must fit and you must wear it!!
 
Only this week I was thinking of buying a BP: I don't own my own horses yet, but I was schooling a youngster on Saturday, and although he's as calm as they come my torso felt really bare for some reason (perhaps given the perceived protection my head, hands and legs feel they have thanks to hat, gloves and boots). However as I'm not in work, my budget is only about £60, but what seems to be coming out of these discussions is that to have any significant safety value beyond bruise-protection and piercing injuries, then more modern (and to a certain degree, expensive) is better. I'm also a bit concerned now that it might restrict me, though I've only had problems with full tabbard BPs before: I'm looking at buying the newer style which seem to end at the waist and has a front clip, rather than going all the way down to hip-type level with a zip.

So for those who do wear BPs all the time, is there any tips you could give a first-time BP buyer, or any specific brands/makes you could recommend? Am looking at a Mark Todd one and an Old Mill one atm...
 
Vixen Van Debz - Mine is only a cheapy, yes it's a level 3, but it's not one of these well known/talked about BP's with a more hefty price tag, it's just a Just Toggs one, but it does the job, I find it much more comfortable than my previous racesafe BP too.

I've only got a little torso, I actually fitted into a childs large, good thing about that is it cost me less too :D.

Only thing is it doesn't have shoulder protection, but can buy the competition vests with shoulder protection already built in, so if you want a lower budget BP that offers the same level proection as some of the more expensive ones, have a gander at them, if you have a bust however, may not suit you as they are not shaped for ladies like some BP's are.

Really depends on your shape and what is most comfortable for you, what might be well fitted and comfortable on one person could be like riding in a straight jacket for someone else. :)
 
I wear a BP for about 3 hours twice a week because its compulsary to wear it where I ride. I completely forget I have it on. Its hot in summer but great in winter. Its never restricted me or caused me to ride differantly. If it fits your body shape then it shouldnt affect your riding.
 
When I first backed Little Cob because he was(and still is) clincally insane I always wore a BP. Sadly as time has gone on and I've got used to the spooks, spins and bolts I've become lazy and can't be bothered to fight to squeeze the boobs and blubber (not so much now...3 stone lost 1 to go!!!) into the BP!!! I never wear one hacking which I suppose I should because last time he dumped me on the road (a bee stung him...or so he said:rolleyes:!!) I did REALLY hurt myself!!!

Big Cob was such a dream to back and is so quiet and gentlemanly to ride I've never worn a BP on him..even when hunting!! Always wear the BP hunting LC and while doing XC on him..infact think I wore it last time SJing cos he was having a 'nuts' day!! I should learn because when I first attempted Jump Cross on LC I came off twice (don't even ask!!!) and without the BP I'd have been in agony but I actually wasn't hurt at all which was very nice!! Well pride was dented but physically I was fine.
 
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the only time i dont wear my BP is when im schooling my share pony in the school, doing a dressage competition, or showing.

i ALWAYS wear one hacking. after being bolted with and thinking about how if i had come off at that speed, and hadnt been wearing my BP, i could have broken my back, as we were surrounded by trees and on a narrow path. this was totally out of the blue, we were just walking, on a path i had done before, on my mare cloud who had always been 100% hacking. just goes to show really, you can never be sure.

my share pony is very well behaved, we call her "saint misty", but thats not to say she wouldnt have a spook, something make her jump, or she could trip. its not worth the risk. and as for jumping, i would never jump a fence without my BP on.

im fine to school my share pony without a BP,m as shes well behaved, its a surface i know and i have people watching usually, but on a horse i dont know i will always wear one.
i dont wear one showing or dressage, for the reasons that i dont school her in a BP, but for faster work, like a PC rally i will always wear one.

i think im older and more sensible now- on matrix i never wore one, we went hacking everywhere, galloping etc, but that was different. i trusted him with my life, stupidly probably, but then i never came off him so he fufilled that trust, but looking back i should have worn a BP really.
 
I do feel uncomfortable in my body protector, not because it doesn't fit correctly, as I've had it fitted proffesionally, but just because I'm not used to it, so find it hard to maintain the correct position with it.
 
When I took my TB ex-racehorse to his first show to do an un af retrained racehorse showing class, before I went in I asked the judge if I would be marked down if I wore my back protector and she said in the event of a tie, would!

Couldn't believe it! I wore it anyway though (but managed to squish it under my jacket :-)

I think that sets a really bad example though.... I wear mine all the time and/ or and air jacket for any riding activity. I would be gutted if I had an accident and I could never ride again...
 
I was wearing a Racesafe BP when I came off out hacking when my horse spooked. I broke my back and am still recovering. I can't say if my injuries would have been worse if I did not have the BP on, I always wore it as I had promised my OH I would when I bought my horse who was then 4yr old and just totally got used to wearing it and felt naked without it. If I am ever to ride again I will certainly wear one - It can't do any harm but I am under no illusions that it will save me either!
 
Thanks Kenzo - will have a Google of it! I'm curvy though (size 14, D cup) so fitting might be difficult, but my sports bras are great at comfortably flattening my chest, so perhaps that might aid the fit of a rigid BP. With my budget, I'm not going to be able to stretch to a ladies-fitted one.

And yes, level 3 protection as suspected by many: "BETA Level 3 body protectors prevent minor bruising and soft tissue damage. They should not be expected to stop spinal injuries caused by major impacts." I'm fairly attached to the soft tissue that is my intestines though... lol.
 
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You know, the thing that surprises me on here is that people dont seem to realise that its not always the horse and rider that causes the accident. As I said, my boy was completely placid, very laid back, not particularly spooky, completely suitable for a novice rider (me!) but it was the car and driver at fault. Wouldnt of made any difference what horse I was on.
 
Just to back up those of us that have said that we are unsure of the benefits of wearing a body protector I have taken this quote from a manufacuters website

BETA Level 3 body protectors prevent minor bruising and soft tissue damage. They should not be expected to stop spinal injuries caused by major impacts

This isn't to say that they are not without benefit and obviously in certain situations ie XC they are required kit, but as has been mentioned before if you are wanting protection from serious injury you are going to have to spend serious money!
 
I don't have one, but I was having a lesson in the school on a RS horse, just trotting along and changing the rein, turned back onto the track and he tripped, almost going on his knees. I put a hand on the school fence to steady myself (he's a 16.2 cob) so I went quite a way, and if he hadn't struggled back to his feet and thrown me back into the saddle I would have flown off into the fence. It wasn't mine or the horses fault, but I'm saving up for a BP now. Better safe than sorry, eh!
 
I always wear my helmet and ride in safe footwear but never a back protector - I think at times we are going overboard on the safety aspect.

We've chosen what can be a sometimes be a dangerous hobby. In NZ we have ACC - an accident insurance that pays our medical bills - it's deducted at source from our earnings. In their reports they have shown that more riding accidents happen at walk - because often rider and horse stop concentrating on what they are doing. One of my pupils lost her mother when walking around their paddock, horse stumbled and fell on her and killed her. Years later same child walking along with a friend eating an ice lolly came off and was dragged when a duck flew out of the stream beside the road. She broke her leg. If she had been concentrating she would most likely have sat the shy and have just dropped the ice lolly.

Since having a perfect hoof shape snapped out of my velvet hat - in the days when we all wore those and the outer was made of a semi rigid plastic with a foam inner - I've always worn my hat. Now I wear a helmet! even though I would prefer to wear something less cumbersome.

Sensible feeding and decent amount of exercise will generally reduce accidents from too much energy - or lunging before riding to iron out the kinks. Concentrating on keeping the horse together and balanced will also help reduce shies and other bad behaviour.
 
Vixen Van Debz said:
Only this week I was thinking of buying a BP: I don't own my own horses yet, but I was schooling a youngster on Saturday, and although he's as calm as they come my torso felt really bare for some reason (perhaps given the perceived protection my head, hands and legs feel they have thanks to hat, gloves and boots). However as I'm not in work, my budget is only about £60, but what seems to be coming out of these discussions is that to have any significant safety value beyond bruise-protection and piercing injuries, then more modern (and to a certain degree, expensive) is better. I'm also a bit concerned now that it might restrict me, though I've only had problems with full tabbard BPs before: I'm looking at buying the newer style which seem to end at the waist and has a front clip, rather than going all the way down to hip-type level with a zip.

So for those who do wear BPs all the time, is there any tips you could give a first-time BP buyer, or any specific brands/makes you could recommend? Am looking at a Mark Todd one and an Old Mill one atm...
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My only tip is to make sure it fits properly and try it while sitting on a horse before you commit to buy it. Certainly don't get one that make you tip forward as I've seen a few people mention in this thread. I wear a racesafe 2000 and find it very comfortable - maybe you could get one second hand ??
 
please dont buy a BP 2ndhand... they are like hats, they need replacing every 3-5 years and should be replaced after impact also.

unless you buy a kanteq, which is the only one on the market made from a new material that doesnt degrade or deteriorate on impact.
 
I used to wear mine all the time

I haven't worn on for about three years now... Bad.
To make it worse, I do breaking and schooling for a living...Bad!!!

I find it's useless when trying to back a youngster, I just feel like I can't move, and that I've less chance of staying on if I have one on. I also find it's crap for my position, as I have back problems and have some issues with relaxing my back muscles and hips as it is...

I also am a size 10, but am ridiculously large in the bust area, so can never get one to fit (unless I have it made for me, which I cannot afford).

Despite this, I'd tell anyone who asks to wear one!

Pot. Kettle. Black.

Boo, hiss. :(
 
My reason for not wearing a body protector is probably the lamest ever... I get to the yard on a moped, so if I want to take the BP with me I have to wear it on the way! I can never be bothered with that, so I almost never take it to the yard with me. I only wear it for XC (or my wimpy version of it, jumping over tiny logs in a field), SJ and jumping lessons. If I had a car I'd just leave the BP in the boot so I could put it on whenever I felt the need for it. Told you it was a lame excuse! :p

A few people have said they have trouble mounting with a BP on - I leave mine unzipped while I'm mounting and do it up once I'm on. Much easier! If I ever fall off and hurt myself whilst mounting I'll kick myself, but it's that or use a stepladder because I just can't do it, even from a mounting block, otherwise!
 
Santa_Claus said:
although some do offer some impact dispersal as materials are improving and the point2 as an air cushion does so although it is meant to be used at all times with a standard body protector.
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The Point 2 only needs to be used with a BP for XC the man at Point 2 told me this when I had mine fitted. Obviously it is better to use both but the reason I went for the Point 2 is a know that when its hot in the summer I would be tempted not to wear my BP cos it makes me too hot where as the vest is really light.
 
NeverSayNever said:
please dont buy a BP 2ndhand... they are like hats, they need replacing every 3-5 years and should be replaced after impact also.


Just wanted to agree with this.

My understanding was that they are like hats and if you have a fall wearing your BP you should replace it?

Its several years since I worked in a saddlery so that might have changed. It is very important to have them fitted by someone who knows what they are doing though.

I haven't ridden for about a year now since I had my accident but I was planning to get a BP for when I start again as I have back problems anyway so feel that anything I can do to minimise futher injury must be a good thing. I would really like an air jacket but as I got broncked off seconds after I had mounted I wouldn't have had time to have clipped it on so that time it wouldn't have made any difference.

I used to only wear my BP for xc and always felt very restricted in it but every time I wore it I used to think that if I wore it more often I would feel far more comfortable in it as I would be used to it and it would probably have conformed more to my body shape.
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You have put the wind up me good and proper with all the accidents! I did come off and fell heavily on my back, luckily my coccyx was bruised but otherwise fine. Didnt have a BP.
A lot of you have broken your backs, and this is what has always scared me very much.
Hope you are all recovering well. Might give up riding now instead as have a spooky cob!
 
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