Back Protector

[Jasmine2023]

Hi, I am looking for a back protector that protects the bottom of my back (buttocks area too) without being so long it touches the saddle. My last back protector did not cover the bottom of my back much and when I fell off the bruising was horrendous and still had back pain weeks later. I don't like full body protectors so won't buy them. Any recommendations please.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

I don’t think any of the back protectors go down that far - if they did they’d be interfering with the back of the saddle. If you want something to protect your lower back/buttocks then I think you’d need an air jacket.

 

[Jasmine2023]

Yeah was thinking I need an air jacket but you can't wear them on their own in case they don't work if you fall. But yes I understand about the saddle and a too long back.

 

[nutjob]

I've tested my air jacket out quite a few times, both unscheduled dismount and failure to unclip lanyard, it's always gone off. The soft landing from an air jacket is way better than a bp and it expands to protect your neck as well as your lower back. I've got fairly bad arthritis in my spine and SI together with a bulging disc. You only need to wear both if you are going xc.

 

[Skib]

You only need to wear both if you are going xc.

I am not sure that is so. Do any organisations demand a compulsory air jacket?

Competitors choose to wear an air jacket but that is in addition to the bp needed in official competitions or where a course or RS stipulate certain protection which is usually a bp. I wear a bp but have never worn an air jacket partly from choice but also because our yard does not allow one to attach anything to the tack of the horse we are riding.
However my OH always wore both in his final years of riding after a panelled bp failed to cushion his very curved spine in his only fall.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

I've tested my air jacket out quite a few times, both unscheduled dismount and failure to unclip lanyard, it's always gone off. The soft landing from an air jacket is way better than a bp and it expands to protect your neck as well as your lower back. I've got fairly bad arthritis in my spine and SI together with a bulging disc. You only need to wear both if you are going xc.

I thought the advice to wear a BP underneath was to prevent the force of it going off doing damage to you

 

[Widgeon]

I thought the advice to wear a BP underneath was to prevent the force of it going off doing damage to you

No, it's because a BP is mandatory for XC. BPs and air jackets are useful in different situations so I would always wear both XC. I've had one crashing fall (I was knocked out) out hacking in "only" an air jacket and walked away with concussion and no body damage. I'm another bulging disc sufferer so I was very impressed by the utter lack of back injury!

In the case of the OP I think I would go for a sort of compromise - lightweight racing BP and an air jacket on top.

BTW @Jasmine2023 , if you do investigate air jackets there are a few types/makes and different people have different preferences as to which is most suitable for them. But they all work.

 

[Jasmine2023]

I will only be doing light hacking and a small amount if school work but as I am a mature lady with arthritis I don't want another injury like the last one. I do not like Bps as they are too constricting for me and they make me warm. I always suffer with hot flushes and they make it worse because I get so warm sadly. If air jackets are reliable I am happy to just wear one of those without any other protection under it but obviously they are expensive so will need the right one.

 

[Traks]

You can wear an air jacket by itself I know lots of senior ladies who do! They are like you and don’t like wearing a BP. Unless you are competing you don’t have to have a BP underneath. The ones they have are the Point 2 ones https://pointtwoairvests.com/collections/all-vests

If you ring the company they are very helpful at sizing etc I got one myself last year x

 

[nutjob]

I thought the advice to wear a BP underneath was to prevent the force of it going off doing damage to you

No, both manufacturers say you can wear them on their own. Some type of falls you will be better if you have a bp, like hitting a solid fence on a xc course but it's not the air vest going off that causes injuries.

I will only be doing light hacking and a small amount if school work but as I am a mature lady with arthritis I don't want another injury like the last one. I do not like Bps as they are too constricting for me and they make me warm. I always suffer with hot flushes and they make it worse because I get so warm sadly. If air jackets are reliable I am happy to just wear one of those without any other protection under it but obviously they are expensive so will need the right one.

Air jackets are much lighter and more flexible than a body protector. There's not the same feeling of restriction especially if you are already stiff from arthritis. They are more expensive and there are ongoing costs of servicing and gas canisters but it's still not one of the major costs of having a horse.

 

[Traks]

No, both manufacturers say you can wear them on their own. Some type of falls you will be better if you have a bp, like hitting a solid fence on a xc course but it's not the air vest going off that causes injuries.


Air jackets are much lighter and more flexible than a body protector. There's not the same feeling of restriction especially if you are already stiff from arthritis. They are more expensive and there are ongoing costs of servicing and gas canisters but it's still not one of the major costs of having a horse.

Yes my friend of 63 bought one actually because she had a fall on the road and broke her sacrum or did something to it and she just prefers the feel of the air jacket. It’s gone off a few times when she’s forgotten to detach it though before getting off but it gives her the protection she wants should the worst happen. She wears it for every day riding and hacking, she doesn’t jump etc now

Point 2 do a trade in system whereby if you have one of their older style vests you can send it to them and trade in for a new one for 50% off. Thats what I did, I had one for about £80 second hand and traded it in and saved myself a fortune on a new one x

 

[gallopingby]

Best to do some research between the different brands. Some offer better neck and lower back protection than others.