Body Protectors for flat work

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wowzer22

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Hi all.....im about to buy my first body protector after a few falls recently - most of them really freaky accidents....but some due to losing balance etc, Im being measured for one on Saturday..

Does anyone else on here wear one for flat work?
Im not keen on jumping so it'll just be for flatwork.

Also what should I look for - do I just go with what the riding shop suggests?
or is there a certain kind I should have (I saw online that theres different levels of body protector)

Thanks

Karen
 
I wear mine for everything. I have a racesafe and its soooo comfy. The three that seem to be suggested most on here are racesafe, airowear outlyne and kan.

I tried an outlyne and didnt like it. My suggestion is try a few and see what suits you
 
Racesafe Racesafe Racesafe :D :D

I love my Racesafe :D :D

Find a style and make that suits your shape comfortably. After it being on for 5 minutes or so, it should feel like you're not wearing anything. Also sit in a saddle when trying it on. There should be enough space at the base that you have clearance from the saddle that it doesn't catch when you move around or up and down. If the shop can't offer you this, straddle the back of a chair and you should have enough clearance for approx 2 people's hands. You should be able to lean left and right on your hips without anything digging in, and move your shoulders with ease.

Make sure you try everything on twice and do a full range of movement in everything. :)

ETA- I have a short back and little waist, so have a childs XL size, even though I'm an adult ;) The sides are adjustable on RS too via the laces, so make sure the fitter adjusts these when you try on.
Mine cost approx £100 4 years ago.
 
wowzer22 said:
thanks for replying - what kind of price are they roughly?
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Racesafe and outlyne are both around £120ish I 'think' the kan are a bit more.

I took measurements and worked out from the websites what size I should be in the two I tried. The racesafe was spot on but I had to go up two sizes in the outlyne so do try before you buy
 
thanks for the advice - (oooh its a very busy equestrian shop so I can just imagine me sitting there straddling a chair - but will definately do that as Id hate for it to be the wrong size when im on the horse)

Has anyone had theirs specially made, as I am quite tall 6ft and curvy so I can't see the riding shop having one my size in stock - of you have how long does it take to have them made?
 
Dizzy Dancer - was going to ask about shows as well - are you actually allowed to wear them at shows? as im just moving towards a few small shows now
 
I wear my Racesafe for flat work and had it fitted so that it doesn't interfere with the cantle of my dressage saddle. Absolutely love it ... the most comfortable BP I've ever worn and the peace of mind is well worth the £157 it cost me :)
 
wowzer22 said:
thanks for the advice - (oooh its a very busy equestrian shop so I can just imagine me sitting there straddling a chair - but will definately do that as Id hate for it to be the wrong size when im on the horse)
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Is it quite a well stocked shop? If so, they should be able to stick a saddle on a saddlemate or 3 leg rack, jst for you to beck cantle clearance.

wowzer22 said:
are you actually allowed to wear them at shows? as im just moving towards a few small shows now
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You definitely can for dressage, and of course SJ/XC. Not sure about showing classes.

wowzer22 said:
thanks for all the replies - regarding the different levels of protection - what do you all have?
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BETA level 3. Should be a purple label on it.
 
A Body Protector is what it says and it is not just for jumping, many people use them every time they ride, I do, and as you can see others do as well. Can not at the moment think of the make of mine, but the others have offered some good advise. Hope you find one that suits you.
 
yeah its quite a large riding shop (Lester Bowden) - not sure if any of you have used it before

So with the body protectors for dressage - do you wear it over or under your show jacket (sorry if it sounds like a stupid question)
 
Wear mine for everything too- (apart from competing dressage for vanity reasons alone;)). I have the Mark Todd zip up type one. Comfy once its warmed up as it kind of moulds to your body. When I got measured for mine, they said I could the extra large childs version which saved me ££££s too!
 
I don't wear one for DR, but when competing wear mine over my jacket.
You can put it underneath, but be prepared to look a bit fluffed up as it will be concealed by your jacket :) Also if you wear it over, judges can see you're wearing one.
 
Another vote for outlyne. I wear mine to jump and to hack the big lad. I just feel if I do come off out he's safer if i'm less hurt so I can get or keep hold of him.
 
I would like one that is a bit more wearable as mine is an older bulky type, when you go to buy make sure you try it on and sit in a saddle (you could even take yours with you) think about where it comes to at the back and the cantle as mine bumps on a deep seated saddle which then tips me forward - nightmare!
 
brilliant - thanks to everyone that replied, ill try on as many as possible in the shop.... to see which one is most comfortable/suits me best
 
I wear mine for everything - ironically I've never fallen off jumping, just doing flatwork ;) As others have said, body protectors are quite personal things, what some people like others won't, so it's definitely worth trying them to see which fits you best & which you prefer - I personally don't like the outlyne but know of others who swear by it.
I lovelovelove my racesafe, it's the comfiest and most flexible (yet protective!!) body protector I've tried - I've just ordered my second one as my original has had many falls and although it still looks & feels good as new, after about 6 years and an investment in a nutty horse it's probably time for a replacement! :D My original racesafe is worth its weight in gold, it's prevented some really nasty injuries - an example being from when I came off a spooked racehorse, who then completely trampled me and kicked me to pieces - my whole body was smashed up and black & blue, but the area covered by my racesafe didn't have a mark on it - I remember just being totally shocked by the comparison! Hate to think how I'd have ended up if I hadn't worn it for that ride.

ps) The racesafe's come in a standard back and a short back - so if the standard one seems too long (it is for me!) then you can request a short backed one or order one online x
 
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Update

(brought my first body protector 2 weeks ago) - got the 'aero' something one (its so comfortable( and I do feel very safe in it
 
Does anyone else find they really struggle with the heat of them in summer? I like wearing it out hacking in winter on my very spooky horse but when it is t shirt weather suddenly, not so tempting...
 
My one seems to have these little big holes (well it feels like holes, kind of reminds me of cheese with holes in - when you feel in on the inside)
I guess theyre ventilation holes.

When I wore mine for the first time last week I was quite sweaty when i got off, mind you it was quite warm so I guess im summer Ill be quite cooked each time I ride
 
We know Lester Bowden well and they are expert at fitting body protectors and ordering in the correct size. If the one they order isnt right, you dont need to buy it. To give time to fit, just ring them and make an appointment for a time when a trained fitter is around.
However, do note that different brands of bp suit different people. Lester Bowden sell Airowear in particular and have fitted grand daughter and me.
Lester Bowden also sell some other brands and can order in Racesafe I believe.

But each retailer has links to different brands. And you really need to try on a few.
So when buying a hat or bp, just going to one retailer isnt enough. My first bp was a unisex Champion from Buttons. Race safe dont fit me but OH tried on a Racesafe belonging to the mother of a friend and liked it. So he went to the Racesafe stand at Olympia and they tried him with a couple and then ordered one to fit him.

OH, grand daughter and me all wear bps every time we ride, but finding the right one and buying it takes some time and trouble. Good luck.
 
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