Back or body protector? and any recommendations?

[CobsaGooden]

I have very recently found myself in possession of an Arab mare and a new friend who competes in endurance and I am very keen to get involved!

I am booked to do a pleasure ride in the coming weeks and want to wear a body protector for riding in general. I am older now and don't bounce as well! I always used to wear my race safe religiously on my old horse but have been out of the game (and got heavier) in the last few years.

What would you recommend? I don't like to feel like I'm weighed down and bulky (I do a lot of water sports so used to a chunky life vest which I dislike) so want something with good freedom of movement and that I can mount and dismount easily. And does a back protector literally just protect your back? I would like some rib protection too as have broken ribs in a fall before (the reason I originally bought one!).

I am a size 12 but have quite big boobs and a post child stomach. I am also quite short.

It will be for hacking and some jumping. Not a huge budget but happy to spend a couple of hundred for peace of mind as I don't have time to be out of action with injury.

I am off to my local tack shop this afternoon to enquire and get measured but any recommendations from those who use them regularly would be fabulous.

Thank you!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Racesafe Provent 3 if it fits - there’s a wide range of sizing. It did feel bulky and cumbersome to start with, it needs to be to do the job, but I rapidly got used to it.

I’m in an adult medium tall.

 

[VRIN]

Its worth trying them on. I looked at reviews and was tempted by the Kontor but when I tried it on it was much too short in the body. I just ended up replacing my race safe with the proven 3. I does cover your ribs.

 

[CobsaGooden]

My local tack shop is a race safe stockist so hoping to try them on. I can get used to bulky if it saves me!

 

[lizziebell]

I’d seriously consider looking at an airvest.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I tried mine in store, the stock adult medium I tried was too short so they told me to order the medium tall which is just right.

Ideally try it sitting in a saddle, you don’t want the rear to catch on the cantle.

ETA The adjustable lacing on the sides is very useful. I can wear the BP either over a thin sunstopper top or a fleece top if I adjust the lacing.

 

[CobsaGooden]

I feel like id forget to unclip an air vest!

 

[Waxwing]

I have a Racesafe and find it very comfortable, I never ride without it now. I ended up with a Small-Tall; the tall bit didn't surprise but as I am size 14 I didn't expect to be in a small. It was fitted for me and I had the opportunity to sit on a saddle in the shop to make sure it didn't catch on the saddle. My daughter also wears one and it definitely protected her when she fell off and horse she was riding kicked out and caught her in the back. She was a bit sore but fine a few days later,

 

[Skib]

Race safe dont fit me. I have worn an airo wear for years. while riding, I dont know I am wearing it.
The advantage of airowear is that it has velcro fastenings at bust and at the bottom (just above waist) and at the shoulders too. I have narrow shoulders and a large waist. That is easier to fit securely than a race safe which laces up down the sides.

 

[2ndtimearound]

As with hats, get the one that fits best. I'm currently on my second Champion Ti22. I'm actually now in the largest child's size. My previous one was the adult XS (bought online during lockdown, taking a risk) and it had always been marginally too long at the back, but fit well otherwise. It definitely saved me from having bruised ribs from an unplanned dismount on Saturday (I just have a bruised elbow, hip and knee instead).

 

[CobsaGooden]

I have just been fitted in the shop and was pleasantly surprised at the sizing on the Race safe!

 

[SpotsandBays]

Always a body protector for me, and it’s always racesafe! I love my provent 3. Body protectors are much lighter and comfier these days

 

[CobsaGooden]

so which would you prefer over the Provent 3 and the Motion 3?

 

[EmmaC78]

I have the provent 3 and would recommend it.

 

[Suechoccy]

If you're going to have lessons with a affiliated riding club or enter any competitions or use any venues, make sure your body protector is to the new standard. don't get caught out by buying an old stock body protector (2009) as that's no longer allowed (since April 2024) in competition. (I got caught out, bought such a body protector brand new just 2 years ago from a local tack shop and now need to buy another one).

(Edited - Vrin - ta for spotting my typo, I meant 2009 when I typed 2018!)

 

[CobsaGooden]

I think I am going to go with the Racesafe Motion 3 I tried on yesterday. I believe it's a new model so should be competition legal?

 

[VRIN]

If you're going to have lessons with a affiliated riding club or enter any competitions or use any venues, make sure your body protector is to the new standard. don't get caught out by buying an old stock body protector (2018) as that's no longer allowed (since April 2024) in competition. (I got caught out, bought such a body protector 2 years ago from a local tack shop and now need to buy another one).

2018 is the latest standard required

 

[CobsaGooden]

I have bought the Motion 3 as I like how the tail folds up/is flexible. I will take it out for a test ride this afternoon!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I have bought the Motion 3 as I like how the tail folds up/is flexible. I will take it out for a test ride this afternoon!

That looks like a good and lighter upgrade on the Provent 3 . Let us know how you get on.

 

[Pippity]

I was fitted in store (Hope Valley at Somerford), including trying in a saddle, and ended up with a racesafe size small, medium length. They did say I could probably have done with a short in front and, having ridden in it a few times, I wish I'd gone short. Unfortunately, I needed it that day and they didn't have the short in stock.

If you can get fitted, I'd definitely recommend it. I'm a size 16, so wouldn't have considered a size small!

The only time I find it awkward is when I'm getting off, but that isn't helped by the aftermath of a fractured spine. (Which is why I now wear the body protector!)

 

[Skib]

I use the cavalry dismount which avoids the front of the bp catching on the saddle. But even so it does tend to ride up unless one distances ones front from the saddle..

 

[CobsaGooden]

Tried it today and it was great. Comfortable and didn’t interfer with the back of the saddle. I was fitted a size small and was a bit in between on the length. The short back was a little too short and the regular was a smidge too long but it does have a foldable tail. It was actually fine. We have some low overhanging trees in the woods and it was no problem to get down low against her neck under those.

I did catch the front getting off so will need to get more nimble at dismounting

 

[Spirit7]

I have very recently found myself in possession of an Arab mare and a new friend who competes in endurance and I am very keen to get involved!

I am booked to do a pleasure ride in the coming weeks and want to wear a body protector for riding in general. I am older now and don't bounce as well! I always used to wear my race safe religiously on my old horse but have been out of the game (and got heavier) in the last few years.

What would you recommend? I don't like to feel like I'm weighed down and bulky (I do a lot of water sports so used to a chunky life vest which I dislike) so want something with good freedom of movement and that I can mount and dismount easily. And does a back protector literally just protect your back? I would like some rib protection too as have broken ribs in a fall before (the reason I originally bought one!).

I am a size 12 but have quite big boobs and a post child stomach. I am also quite short.

It will be for hacking and some jumping. Not a huge budget but happy to spend a couple of hundred for peace of mind as I don't have time to be out of action with injury.

I am off to my local tack shop this afternoon to enquire and get measured but any recommendations from those who use them regularly would be fabulous.

Thank you!

Body protector for sure. Go to your local race safe shop, they will have a qualified fitter. The one that fits is the best model. My shop let me take my saddle in and fitted me in it. It’s your safety, wort spending on when you think Joe much horses cost us x