Back Protector - Problems dismounting

[Paddysgirl1]

Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience to me or can advise in any way please. I've ridden most of my life and, as I've got a few miles on the clock at 62, I now ride in a Race-Safe body protector. I usually hack out on a friend's pony who's a very good boy and we have occasional canters, plus I think it's a sensible precaution all things considered. I would add that I'm fairly active/mobile and of petite build. I bought the back protector last year and was measured by a knowledgeable lady at a reputable, local equestrian supplier at the time of purchase.

However, since I started wearing the protector, I've had two or three instances now of dismounting and the back protector catching on part of the saddle on the way down, resulting in me being propelled backwards and almost over-balancing and falling backwards - quite scary. I've also jarred my neck on a couple of occasions and have been concerned as I might have inadvertently pulled my friend's pony in the mouth too :-( I feel as though I've gone from being reassured by wearing the protector to becoming quite anxious when it comes to dismounting now which almost negates the original benefit in many ways.

During the winter I've worn the back protector under my short waterproof riding coat. Any advice/experience or even videos would be very much appreciated as I'm even considering not continuing to wear the back protector in future.

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

[musk]

Hi, I wear a Racesafe every time I ride nowadays as I just don't bounce anymore! I've never had a problem with it catching so I'll pay attention to how I dismount tomorrow and also if anyone is around I'll get them to video for you. Can you push yourself away from the horse with your hands as you dismount at all? I think I kind of push myself up and out of the saddle with my right hand and then that also serves to push a gap between me and the horse as I come down.

 

[Paddysgirl1]

Many thanks

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'm not very flexible either, and I've got 3 years on you, but I push myself out away from the horse slightly as I lean forward and swing my right leg over the cantle to dismount, which means that the body protector doesn't get caught up on the saddle. It's all one smooth motion.

I still land on my feet close to the horse, but I don't slither down the the side of the horse IYSWIM. It helps that I've always dismounted that way even before body protectors. I've got a Racesafe provent.

 

[sbloom]

A high cantle can make it easier whatever but if you're catching it at the front then agree you need to swing a little more so your upper body doesn't need to lean as far forwards. Protects the pommel from damage, and the tree from potentially being twisted, too. It's why we all used to have to do scissors in the old days.

 

[phizz4]

You could try dismounting western style, leaving your left foot in the stirrup and standing up in that, swinging your right leg over the saddle, then lowering through your left leg. Only works with the smaller horse!

 

[Trouper]

'Elf and Safety would not approve but with my old aerowear I used to make sure the steed was standing quietly and then just unzip the front so that it could move out of the way as I "dismounted". I use the term lightly - it was really an inelegant slither.

 

[Cloball]

Are you absolutely sure it's a good fit? My racesafe is super easy to dismount in compared to previous body protectors, if it's a bit long in front I can imagine it would be much easier to catch?

 

[irishdraft]

Are you absolutely sure it's a good fit? My racesafe is super easy to dismount in compared to previous body protectors, if it's a bit long in front I can imagine it would be much easier to catch?

This would be my thoughts as well I think racesafe do different lengths .

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'm not the OP, but my Adult medium tall Racesafe Provent was specially ordered in for me, as at 5'10' tall I do need a longer length to get proper back protection. It needs to be long enough at the back to just clear the cantle, and low enough in front to protect the ribs.

At the front, the bottom of the zip is 12cm higher than my belly button, but I still need to be aware of not catching the front of the body protector when I dismount. In every other respect it's great.

You can get custom sizes made up, I believe.

 

[WestCoast]

This reminds me of the time I put up a post entitled: problems getting off in a body protector .

Anyhow I tend to swing my legs over until I‘m resting my chest on the saddle and then push away slightly as I go down holding onto the breastplate so I don’t land on my bum.

I never got on with racesafes as I’m not large in the chest area and I find they can slide up and catch me in the throat. For me the aero wear were better, I’ve got a Kan now, which was fitted to me - but I think they’ve stopped making them.

 

[Paddysgirl1]

I'm not very flexible either, and I've got 3 years on you, but I push myself out away from the horse slightly as I lean forward and swing my right leg over the cantle to dismount, which means that the body protector doesn't get caught up on the saddle. It's all one smooth motion.

I still land on my feet close to the horse, but I don't slither down the the side of the horse IYSWIM. It helps that I've always dismounted that way even before body protectors. I've got a Racesafe provent.

Many thanks - I'll try and bear this in mind. I ride out in company much younger than me usually these days, otherwise I'd mention it to them!

 

[Paddysgirl1]

Are you absolutely sure it's a good fit? My racesafe is super easy to dismount in compared to previous body protectors, if it's a bit long in front I can imagine it would be much easier to catch?

In all other respects, my Racesafe fits well and I feel reassured wearing it, but I'll do some double checking.

 

[Paddysgirl1]

I'm not the OP, but my Adult medium tall Racesafe Provent was specially ordered in for me, as at 5'10' tall I do need a longer length to get proper back protection. It needs to be long enough at the back to just clear the cantle, and low enough in front to protect the ribs.

At the front, the bottom of the zip is 12cm higher than my belly button, but I still need to be aware of not catching the front of the body protector when I dismount. In every other respect it's great.

You can get custom sizes made up, I believe.

Many thanks Tiddlypom - I will get the measuring tape out!