BODY PROTECTORS - ARE THEY ALLOWED IN ALL DISCIPLIES?

[zeuscleoharmony]

Following the very sad news regarding rider Caroline mentioned in previous post, it made me wonder about the the wearing of body protectors in all disciplines. I do not know whether Caroline was wearing one on this occassion.

Are they allowed in all disciplines?

Having witnessed for myself a very serious accident in a showing ring where the rider was unprotected I wondered what the outcome would have been had one been worn.

I am a happy hacker who rides in one and find it rather a hindrance sometimes, hot and cumbersome but hope in the event of a fall it might save me from serious injury.

Am I wrong in likening to bicycle helmets? Don't look great but if everyone wore them compulsory surely head injuries would be reduced.

Likewise, if BP were compulsory, would this not reduce serious injury?

My thoughts to Caroline, her family and anyone who has suffered an injury. Best wishes xxx

 

[MrsMozart]

Daughter was wearing a BP when she came off big style in the show ring, probably saved some serious bruising.

I either wear a BP or a Mountain Horse jacket that has protection built into it.

Part of me would love to go back to the days of no hat and no BP (long, long ago), but I have a living to earn and a family to think of now.

Maybe, some day, it will become compulsory that both hats and BPs will be compulsory for all, when out and about on the road at least.

It's interesting isn't it: on the whole, people who ride trail/trial bikes (motorbikes, etc), wear helmets and protective gear without question; horse riders, who are on powerful creatures all most definately with a mind of their own, don't.

 

[jesterfaerie]

I think that you can wear them in any dicipline but are obviously only enforced in some.
I always wear one hacking out, it is bad enough hitting the deck on grass or in a school but I dread to think what could happen if me and the horse were to part company on a road.

MrsMozart, do you have a link to the MH jacket you wear?

 

[MrsMozart]

Go to Robinson website and put in 'Mountain Horse' - they have it listed as the 'Bodyguard Jacket'.

http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/search.asp?keyword=mountain+horse&x=36&y=6#sku.10459

It's comfy and lightweight

.

 

[sherbet]

Not to high jack the post

I have a mountain horse jacket and they are great

I dont get as hot in mine as a BP and you can zip the zip so it is only done up in the middle as zip does up form top and bottom.

 

[zeuscleoharmony]

Re MH jacket, can you zip the sleeves off? That would be handy.

 

[MrsMozart]

I like the little belt bit - it is purely psychological(!), but when that clips in, I feel so much safer

.

 

[Ezme]

I hate body pros.... I am far more likely to come off wearing one than not. whether thats psychologically or just having more freedom to twist, turn and scramble back on I don't know. But I am more willing to the idea now as it's been a few years since I've tried (last BP I wore stretched a ligament in my shoulder and it's now unstable!) so I thought I might try and have a go in something like a racesafe

 

[Erehwemos]

Interesting topic.

When I first got Ellie, I was the kind of rider who never went ANYWHERE without a BP - with the exception of showing classes. Anything at Pony Club, I wore my BP. Hacking...I wore my BP. My mum insisted on it, but I myself would no sooner have ridden BP-less than without my hat - I just wouldnt have felt safe!

After a few months of having Elz, however, it occurred to me that having a BP was actually hindering my position and my ability to stay in the saddle when she spooked. Being a young, sharp horse, her spooks were regular!

This also carried through to competition - I was finding that I felt unable to go with her over fences (BSJA, not XC). So one day I decided to try riding without it...and guess what? I fell off within 5 minutes

But I landed on my feet due to being more supple and agile without the BP, whereas if I had had it on, I would have been flat on my back I think! From that day forward I competed and hacked without it - I just had so much more freedom as a rider. I dont think I have worn my BP since that day, although if I do go XCing this year (ie. if my nerve allows me to) I will most definitely be wearing my trusty old Rodney Powell - for XC, I agree with them being compulsory.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

The body protectors that are around now are hugely improved on the ones that were first available. I have just bought a new one - my old Rodney Powell was nearly 10 years old

and the change in them is huge! I'm sorry but the old thing about them being restrictive etc is rubbish. If you go and have one fitted properly with all the different shapes and sizes available now you will find one that fits properly and does not restrict in any way - if it does it simply doesn't fit you properly. Any BP is not going to stop you necessarily getting broken bones but what it will do is prevent injuries such as punctured lungs etc and minimise bruising. I do not school with my BP on but will not hack with out one - advancing years brings wisdom, self preservation and the need to keep working to pay the bills to keep neddies. Most people who do not ride (which includes my employers) think that horses are dangerous - so I see no need to add to this impression by not using the safety equipment available for the sake of looking 'cool'.

 

[merlins-mum]

Can you wear a BP while showing? If so, do you wear them under or over your jacket?

 

[mickey]

[ QUOTE ]
I think that you can wear them in any dicipline but are obviously only enforced in some.
I always wear one hacking out, it is bad enough hitting the deck on grass or in a school but I dread to think what could happen if me and the horse were to part company on a road.

MrsMozart, do you have a link to the MH jacket you wear?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure if you are saying that you personally wear a BP in school as well as hacking, but I thought it worth highlighting to all that I broke my back very badly in a rubber menage jumping 2 ft (and I have been riding over 30 yrs). So it doesn't just happen on hard ground. Luckily post surgery, bone grafts and metal implants I am recovered.

 

[jesterfaerie]

Mickey, I don't wear one when I am schooling unless I am jumping but I meant that I know accidents happen anywhere. Just made me think after all the times I have come off in the school and how much falling onto a 'softer' surface hurts I can just imagin it being worse on tarmac so when I first got my horse he was very nappy to hack out wearing a BP made me feel more secure.
I am so glad to hear you managed to recover from such a horiffic injury, certainly does make you realise that you aren't safe anywhere when riding!