Back protectors

[HappyHollyDays]

Ok so I am the wrong side of 50, returned to riding last year and feel like a complete novice again as so much has changed.

I know from being knocked off my bike a few years ago that I don't bounce anymore and was wondering whether I should be riding in a back/body protector.

Any pros or cons on which are the best to use or best to avoid and more importantly do they actually work.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[chestnut cob]

Whatever you go for, make sure you have it fitted correctly.

I like the RaceSafe ones http://www.treehouseonline.co.uk/product/5?gclid=CL6R9-Kw3bwCFfPItAodBUEAmA

I have one of the above, having had an (uncomfortable) Aerowear for years beforehand. The RS is really comfy, as BPs go, and fits my shape quite well.

 

[Morag4]

I similarly came back to riding last year and have an aerowear back protector, I don't use it at the moment for the lessons but I do for hacking and definately will if and when I start jumping!

 

[Billy the kid]

I think there was a thread recently on back protectors, you might find some good info on there.

I always hated having one on, i found that with having asthma it made me feel confined and i would get panicky. Falling off with it on would always kind of make me land with a thud and shock the lungs more. So for years i wouldnt wear one.....untill i had a few very bad falls off a horse i was breaking in and my mum bought me an aero wear and made me promise to wear it!

Its great! I love it, after 10mins it warms up to your shape and you forget its even on.

I still only ride in it if i have to, but when its on i dont feel restricted at all.

 

[Skib]

I started riding after I was 60. If I post here only about falls, please dont let that put you off. Riding is my greatest pleasure -
There is no should about wearing a bp. It is a matter of choice. As soon as I started to hack out, I began to wear a body protector. I know it makes a big difference to any fall onto a hard or uneven surface or at speed.
I fell more frequently in my early years, but even now, riding in the open and particularly riding with other people and other horses involves falling from time to time and, if one is wearing a bp, one is less likely to bruise or break anything.
I think it may be a bit of a myth about older people not bouncing. Slow, relaxed reactions may even help. I have never broken a wrist for instance since have been too slow witted to put out a hand to save myself. My only attempt to roll as I fell (one is told to do this) resulted in my hurting my neck with mild whip lash.
Body protectors definitely work when falling at speed onto tarmac. One can see the line where the bruising begins below the body protector. In a really hard fall, you can get a line where the edge of the bp has marked you, but this happens with many safety devices - e.g. if you fall off a mountain, the safety rope may leave marks. This isnt a reason not to wear a bp.
You need to find a brand and size that fits you and does not hamper your riding - this can be a problem - but to be truthful I forget I am wearing mine. It is Spring and the horses were spooky this morning and no neither of us came off, but with the mare jittery under me, it makes me less anxious to know that the many times I have fallen have so far done me no harm.
The most modern development is an air jacket, (which leisure riders can wear without a conventional bp as well.) I hankered after the lightness and freedom but it needs a new canister every time you fall - meaning that if I did come off, I wouldnt be happy to remount and ride home.
Thus I became dependent on my safety equipment -but, as more people continue to ride in old age, may be our always wearing a body protector gives us the freedom to behave like pony mad girls: to ride bare back and enjoy fast hacks without giving the much younger women who are "in charge" of us the worry that we may come to harm.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Yes, they are worth wearing.
I got a new fuzzy in Sept 2012 when the wrong side of 50. 2nd time out hacking, the baggage whipped round on me & dropped her shoulder...
I dropped off & landed on my back, kept hold of the reins & she did stop but my friends horse also then whipped round & shot over the top of me, clonking me with a hoof - right on the rib cage.
The only bruises I had were on my bum....despite me landing flat on my back & then bum....

They also can make you sit more straight in the saddle, mine certainly stops me slouching

 

[TrasaM]

Yes..definitely worth it. I wear an Aerowear Outlyne and as previous poster said, it warms up and moulds to your body and is really comfortable. I've had two falls whilst wearing it. The 2 nd fall was on Tarmac when horse fell on me. The only part not bruised or strained was my ribcage. I'm pretty sure that had I not had it on I'd have broken ribs or at the least very badly bruised. So pleased that I've kept my promise to OH that I'd always wear it hacking.
It's important to get then fitted correctly or they're not as effective or comfortable.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Thanks everyone for your input. Skib you haven't put me off at all I quite expect to come off at some point. I like the look of the Racesafe but I think the best thing to do is go to a tack shop and try several makes and get the one that feels most comfortable when fitted by someone who knows what they are doing.

Sounds as though they are well worth the money.

 

[webble]

I wear mine all the time even just to wak down the road and back you just never know when something might spook your horse or cause it to trip. I have a racesafe and forget I am wearing it its so comfy, its also an extra layer of warmth in the winter but cool enough in the summer

 

[apachediamond]

I have an outlyne too, love it, once it's moulded i forget i have it on (by the time i have walked to the school). I wear it for everything on board, hacking, schooling and lessons (not got to jumping yet!)

 

[Herts05]

In addition, don't forget to work on getting your core muscles into shape. The better your seat and posture are the easier it is to stay in the saddle. Yoga/pilates, general fitness, lunge lessons etc will all be really beneficial to you. Then muscle memory should kick in when needed.

 

[Ruth17]

I have an airowear t2 ladies up for purchase if anyone was interested as no longer fits me

 

[Frankeey]

its always worth wearing a body protector. I'm in the market for a new one myself, I have had a racesafe for years but I honestly think that they're becoming a little behind the times. There are some really great new ones available from a number of different companies. My favourite on the market has been produced by Dainese, who are most well known by motorbike riders for there protective gear. I tried one recently and was really impressed by it, I had so much freedom to move around and forgot that it was on. They aren't cheap, but if its something that your using most days your always going to get your moneys worth and to be fair you can't put a price on your life.
http://www.dainese.com/uk_en/equestrian/balios-3-waistcoat-lady.html

 

[Mince Pie]

Racesafe all the way for me. I've always hated BPs with a passion but I forget I'm wearing my racesafe! Plus you can adjust it for winter when you're wearing bulkier clothes

 

[happyclappy]

i have just started wearing one but hate it. i came off my youngster last week and fell flat on my back onto tarmac. all i injured was my neck from the whiplash effect that often happens in these falls. my age/ not telling!

there is a new one due out soon that s so soft, light and flexible, rrp around £120. am waiting for its release and will buy one. info is from my tackshop who went to beta last week.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Frankeey the Dainese looks really nice. I know the make from mountain biking but OMG the price. A bit to much for me at the moment.

Happyclappy would you let me know the make if you go ahead and buy one. I have another month or so before I start riding my youngster and at the moment the Racesafe is favourite. Hope your neck is ok.

I had a look at some second hand ones yesterday and they were solid and brick like and not at all comfortable, not sure of the makes though.