Body Protector Question

Cobs Can Jump

Cobs Can Jump

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Just curious to see what you guys think.

I was reading an article in the latest issue of the BRC Rider magazine, they had a special feature on riding hats and body protectors and it was reading this that sparked my question...

With riding hats the guidelines are very clear as to when you should replace them, but what about Body Protectors?
 
Can't answer your question but I was wondering something similar the other day - I have a child's body protector that my daughter has outgrown. I offered it to a friend for free, telling her that my daughter probably fell off a few times riding in it. The friend refused it for this reason but her daughter rides without one instead. Surely it's better to use a second hand one than none at all?
 
Asmp I totally agree! I would much rather ride with one than without.

It's very strange that they don't have any guidelines on them though because they're made from basically the same materials that riding hats are made of, so do the same guidelines apply to body protectors as well? Hmmmmm
 
I think they recommend every 7 years or after a bad fall. 7 years due to the foam degrading and a bad fall due to reducing the impact absorbing qualities of the foam.

I would agree something is better than nothing!
 
I thought I had read at some point before (possibly on here) that they should be replaced after 5 years as the foam they are made of begins to lose it's ability to do it's job as it starts to age.

I'm not sure about them needing to be replaced after a fall however, as they don't (generally) have the same type of structure as a riding hat. Most body protectors I have come across have been a firm foam type material, where as a riding helmet has a more rigid layer and so more likely to actually fracture due to its rigidity during a fall?

Just found this:

http://www.bhs.org.uk/~/media/BHS/Files/PDF Documents/BETA Body Protector Guide.ashx


"Always check your protector for dents immediately after a fall or
kick. The foam will expand back to its original shape 30 minutes after
impact, but won’t provide the same protection in the dented area as
the ability to absorb impact in that area will have been lost. Some
manufacturers do supply replacement panels however."

This would indicate the most BP are a different type of material than riding hats
 
Thanks for all the replies, I thought it was strange that there were no guidelines published in the article that I read. I think I'll have to replace mine then, I've had it for a good while now.

Thanks Under-the-radar I just assumed they would be made from similar material, you learn something new everyday :)
 
Horsemad12 said:
I think they recommend every 7 years or after a bad fall. 7 years due to the foam degrading and a bad fall due to reducing the impact absorbing qualities of the foam.

I would agree something is better than nothing!
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I was told every 5 years. My racesafe is now well past that but I simply cannot afford to replace it at the moment. I'd rather wear a slightly old one than none at all.
 
My body protector is absolute ancient - at least ten years old (has a BETA 2000 label but must not be much younger than that!!). Since I never, ever wear it unless forced to i.e. going cross country, I figure I'm getting SOME more protection than I would without it, so replacing it is last on my list of things the horse/I need as I only wear it maybe five times a year, and it's a lot of money and then requires breaking in again...

Much as I intend to replace it, I probably won't until I am forced to by BE updating it's body protector requirements...

But then I have a friend with the same attitude about hats (she never wears one on her horse at home, so just has an ancient skull cap she wears for competing in) and it makes me cringe, so I'm sure my hypocrisy will make some of you cringe as well... ;)
 
They're so expensive :( I completely agree if you only wear it a few times a year, that would be a waste of money to get a new one for the sake of it. I wear mine everyday, I don't feel safe without it haha so I'm going to be cheeky and ask for one for Christmas :P
 
I've replaced mine fairly recently (last year, gosh time has flown past) as I needed one with a certain standard for a comp. However I still love my old one and won't part with it just yet. I've had it 20 years eek.
 
Part of the reason I got my Kan was because the foam does not degrade in them, it actually strengthens the more you fall in it! I'm guilty of not wearing it as often as I should though.
 
BlairandAzria said:
Part of the reason I got my Kan was because the foam does not degrade in them, it actually strengthens the more you fall in it! I'm guilty of not wearing it as often as I should though.
Click to expand...
Thats the reason you need to replace them !The foam becomes less able to absorb the impact. But all things are relative and an old BP is a hell of a lot better than none.
 
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