Body protectors - am confused please help!

asommerville

asommerville

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I know there are probably posts on here but somehow i can't find one :-( i have never worn a body protector befor (i know i am probably stupid) but now i need one!! Whenever i have tried them on they have always bumped off the back of the saddle, is this what is supposed to happen as it is so uncomfortable, and as i am in the process of backing my youngster i do not want something either bumpng off the saddle or making me lean forwards....can anyone advise please?
 
KanTeq. Expensive but by far the most comfortable BP I've ever used. Although I'm 5'8" I have a short back. This is the only one (including Racesafe) that I have found that doesn't catch on the cantle and push me forwards.
 
I'm quite small and my daugter is quite tall. We have both got racesafe body protectors, we had them fitted and we had to sit on a saddle.
 
Find somewhere to go with a good selection of bp's, get fitted properly and most importantly make sure that you sit on a saddle when you try them.

You need to look for the safety label, so make sure that you get the purple label - ask the assistant to explain - if they can't then they shouldn't be fitting them.

To make sure you have the right one also make sure that the bp can't be lifted up - ie you impact with the saddle and it wacks the back of your neck. Also it will feel restrictive so take plenty of time and wear it around the shop for a while - some of the foams soften after time and feel different. Try jumping around and moving in different directions - you might look like an idiot but if you can't move it isn't going to help in other ways either!

Different people will tell you that theirs is best, however try as many makes on and be fitted for each one before you decide and DONT buy a cheap 2nd hand one off the internet!

Finally don't be tight on budget, this is a safety item and much as money is important, the right fitting bp can save your life and you cant put a price on that.
 
Speak to Wendy at KanTeq - she is incredibly helpful, and will be able to sort you out very quickly! Friend of mine had a next day delivery! Also, depending on where you are, she is at loads of events through the season, and will fit/alter and explain on site.
 
I have the New Champion Body Protector Great as it molds to your body shape and is very very comfortable as my old body protector made my neck and shoulders ache if worn for a long time :( Love my bp now :D. My Friend has the Rodney Powell Body Protector and i know that if a Rodney Powell Body protector is to long or short etc they can send it off the the powell makers and they can fit it to you!! x
 
I agree you should try a number of body protectors on if you can and see what suits you best, i guess differnet people like different things. I also wear the one made by Kan Teq and wouldn't even consider wearing anything else because it feels so comfy but also really safe - which is the point of it! Check out the Kan Teq website anyway, there is loads of info on there and the lady who runs the company is really nice and will customise it to fit you exactly if need be.
 
Any body protector that brushes the back of your saddle is definately too long in the back for you.

Kan Teq are getting lots of good reviews at the moment, though I've no personal experience of them.

My recommendation would first of all to research how a body protector should fit. The front should cover your lowest rib, the back your lower spine without going too low. You shouldn't be gaping over the shoulders or around the chest, nor should it be uncomfortably tight. If it has red warning tapes, these should be covered easily, and at all times.

Once you know how to fit one yourself, it means you can rely on your own judgement. Many shop staff will not have actually been trained in the fitting of body protectors, and having gone through said training myself it is pretty inadequate. While you may be lucky and get a good member of staff, you need to know what it should be like yourself. At the end of the day, staff are employed to sell and some will lie about fit to make a sale.

Once you know what you are looking for, go around and try on as many as you can. Don't settle for something that isn't perfect; any tack shop worth their salt should be willing to order in unusual sizes for you.

Also, sitting in a saddle is great if it's the right kind of saddle. If you're riding in a deep seated dressage saddle at home, you will need a shorter backed body protector whereas a shallow jump saddle can take a longer back. Make sure the saddle you are sitting in has a similar depth to your one at home.

If there is no saddle to sit in, a good technique is to try sitting on the floor and crossing your legs (like a school child). The proximity of the back of the body protector to the floor should give you an indication of how close you will be to the cantle of the saddle.

Take your time, don't be pushed into buying something and know what a good fit is before you go. And when you do make the decision, please purchase from a retailer not an online store. If people keep buying things like BPs cheaper from the net, we'll soon be out of places to try them on in the first place.
 
Thanks for this thread and the helpful answers - I'm looking to buy one too and have no idea where to start! My local tack shop is very helpful and unpressuring but I'm not totally confident in their fitting for hats and BPs!
 
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