Body protectors for higher cantle

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Freya28

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(This is a follow up from my previous thread)

Everyone has recommended I get a body protector which fits correctly. I've had a look and the back length of my current body protector is too long (apparently it's recommended to be approx 2-3 inches between the bottom of the bp and the cantle, however mine touches the cantle and often catches the top of the cantle if I lean back, which is what's presumably affecting my balance). The length of the back of my current body protector is 47cm. I've checked the size guide of quite a few different body protectors and any body protector with the measurements which would fit the rest of my body also have a back length of 47cm, so I would be in the same position as before. If I go down a size then the back length would be short enough however the rest of the measurements would be too small and would be another uncomfortable fit.
I could go and find somewhere to get one professionally fitted however I have no idea where I could go. I am based in Dorset and was thinking Aivly might offer but I'm not sure as I've never been.
I have also had people recommend saving up and buying for an air jacket, as they provide the same level of safety as a level 3 bp but also aren't as restrictive as body protectors. However, due to the cost, this would be a last resort.
Overall I'm just unsure of how I could buy a body protector that would be the right size to wear, whilst also having a short enough back to not catch on the cantle and throw me off balance. Any thoughts?
 
Freya28 said:
(This is a follow up from my previous thread)

Everyone has recommended I get a body protector which fits correctly. I've had a look and the back length of my current body protector is too long (apparently it's recommended to be approx 2-3 inches between the bottom of the bp and the cantle, however mine touches the cantle and often catches the top of the cantle if I lean back, which is what's presumably affecting my balance). The length of the back of my current body protector is 47cm. I've checked the size guide of quite a few different body protectors and any body protector with the measurements which would fit the rest of my body also have a back length of 47cm, so I would be in the same position as before. If I go down a size then the back length would be short enough however the rest of the measurements would be too small and would be another uncomfortable fit.
I could go and find somewhere to get one professionally fitted however I have no idea where I could go. I am based in Dorset and was thinking Aivly might offer but I'm not sure as I've never been.
I have also had people recommend saving up and buying for an air jacket, as they provide the same level of safety as a level 3 bp but also aren't as restrictive as body protectors. However, due to the cost, this would be a last resort.
Overall I'm just unsure of how I could buy a body protector that would be the right size to wear, whilst also having a short enough back to not catch on the cantle and throw me off balance. Any thoughts?
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Find somewhere that fits them and maybe take your saddle so you can sit on it and make sure it doesn’t catch? It was my thought that air jackets “should” be worn with a BP underneath. I know that it’s compulsory to at some of the sponsored rides I go to but not sure for anything else (I don’t have one).
 
You can get BPs with different length backs. I have a 'long' back on my Airowear one, and my son has a 'long' back on his Racesafe one. My daughter is in a standard back length as she is, well, less long! It really needs to be fitted professionally - it would be a very expensive mistake to assume your size and buy online if you ask me! Perhaps someone local to you on here can recommend a suitable shop for you to try...
 
HeyMich said:
You can get BPs with different length backs. I have a 'long' back on my Airowear one, and my son has a 'long' back on his Racesafe one. My daughter is in a standard back length as she is, well, less long! It really needs to be fitted professionally - it would be a very expensive mistake to assume your size and buy online if you ask me! Perhaps someone local to you on here can recommend a suitable shop for you to try...
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Yes that's what I'm hoping! Theres not too many bigger specifically equestrian stores where I live, and most of my gear has come from go outdoors (and I doubt anyone there is qualified enough to properly fit a bp). I'm after a shorter backed one though, ideally one that is already shorter than my current one (even tho I think that ones considered quite short backed anyway)!
 
Rosietaz said:
Find somewhere that fits them and maybe take your saddle so you can sit on it and make sure it doesn’t catch? It was my thought that air jackets “should” be worn with a BP underneath. I know that it’s compulsory to at some of the sponsored rides I go to but not sure for anything else (I don’t have one).
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I was looking particularly at the Two Point ones and part of the description states that it does not have to be worn with a bp underneath as it provides the same level of protection alone. Some of them are designed to have on underneath though
 
Racesafe will make custom back lengths for a small amount more - I had to have mine as custom as I was between their sizes.

Doesn't help with finding someone reliable to fit though!
 
AFB said:
Racesafe will make custom back lengths for a small amount more - I had to have mine as custom as I was between their sizes.

Doesn't help with finding someone reliable to fit though!
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Is getting a custom fit one done online? I'm just a bit wary of buying one online incase it ends up being the wrong size and not working out
 
When I got my racesafe the tack shop had it available in various different lengths. Despite being 5ft 8, I am all leg and short body and I ended up in their standard short one. Might be worth going to have a look (great idea to take your saddle) and see what your tack shop has in stock, mine said they could order anything in and could also order a custom length one for me. At least then you could make sure it fits.
 
Freya28 said:
Is getting a custom fit one done online? I'm just a bit wary of buying one online incase it ends up being the wrong size and not working out
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For me it was done at a show, Treehouse measured me and kept all the details on file and I ordered for my birthday about 6 months later. Obviously with the current situation it will be more tricky for you.

Perhaps try getting in touch with Treehouse for some advice, they stock a few brands IIRC and were really helpful when I dealt with them.
 
Rodney Powell used to do made to measure body protectors....may be worth a phone call.

Also, what type of saddle are you using?
Body protectors were initially developed of course for people riding XC, where people generally go for flatter seated saddles (ie low cantle) so that they can shove their arses back over drops etc.
So, if you have a saddle with a very curved tree and high cantle you may have problems.
 
gunnergundog said:
Rodney Powell used to do made to measure body protectors....may be worth a phone call.

Also, what type of saddle are you using?
Body protectors were initially developed of course for people riding XC, where people generally go for flatter seated saddles (ie low cantle) so that they can shove their arses back over drops etc.
So, if you have a saddle with a very curved tree and high cantle you may have problems.
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I'm really not sure. It isn't my saddle as the horse is a loan, and I also don't know much about saddles in general. I think it might just be an all purpose? To me the cantle seems higher than other saddles I've ridden in or seen. It's definitely not a dressage saddle though. I half expected running into problems looking for a new bp which is why I considering buying a good quality pre owned air jacket instead since they're more flexible and wouldn't really matter what the saddle is like!
 
I went today to buy a Racesafe. I had done my measurements according to their website and I was on the cusp of med to large but didn't know the back length, thought probably reg. Fitter took one look at me and said definitely not large and although the reg back length felt OK once on a saddle it was too long. I ended up trying all the makes they had in stock and nothing fitted me well and I was concerned that even a short back would interfere with the cantel of my dressage saddle. TBH I found all of the BPs felt restrictive, the racesafe was the most comfortable but I'd like to be able to wear one for lessons as well as hacking. In the end I bought a Helite air vest which is designed for showjumpers/hunting types to wear over a jacket. I got an exceptionally good deal on it because it was shop soiled. It is essential to go and try before you buy as I changed my mind completely in the shop.
 
oldie48 said:
I went today to buy a Racesafe. I had done my measurements according to their website and I was on the cusp of med to large but didn't know the back length, thought probably reg. Fitter took one look at me and said definitely not large and although the reg back length felt OK once on a saddle it was too long. I ended up trying all the makes they had in stock and nothing fitted me well and I was concerned that even a short back would interfere with the cantel of my dressage saddle. TBH I found all of the BPs felt restrictive, the racesafe was the most comfortable but I'd like to be able to wear one for lessons as well as hacking. In the end I bought a Helite air vest which is designed for showjumpers/hunting types to wear over a jacket. I got an exceptionally good deal on it because it was shop soiled. It is essential to go and try before you buy as I changed my mind completely in the shop.
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Thank you! I am seriously considering buying a second hand air jacket instead of a bp as I worry any bp will be as restrictive as my current one. Do you wear your air jacket alone?
 
Freya28 said:
Thank you! I am seriously considering buying a second hand air jacket instead of a bp as I worry any bp will be as restrictive as my current one. Do you wear your air jacket alone?
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Only got it today and yes I was told the one I bought is designed to be worn alone. The material is quite stretchy so I can wear it over just a polo shirt or over quite a thick quilted coat (I tried). It's very neat too. I'm sure people will have loads of different opinions but I used to always wear a Rodney Powell BP until I had a fairly innocuous fall over a XC fence ending up in hospital with 6 broken ribs and two stable fractures at T1 and 2 and I sort of lost faith in BPs and haven't worn one since However I am much older now and although I don't do high risk stuff so my priority is to have something which helps me feel more confident and it has to be comfortable or I won't wear it. good luck in finding the right one for you but go with an open mind.
 
I would throughly suggest getting fitted - I just bought my first BP, a Racesafe. For context, I’m 5”8 and a size 12 but, having been fitted, I’m in a XS Tall which I wouldn’t have thought from the measurements online and was the only one that fit properly out of several brands.
 
Freya28 said:
Thank you! I am seriously considering buying a second hand air jacket instead of a bp as I worry any bp will be as restrictive as my current one. Do you wear your air jacket alone?
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Buying second hand (especially unseen) is pretty risky- there may be damage to the airjacket, and this may not be immediately visible. The last thing you want to do is buy an airjacket that doesn't work as intended.

I honestly think you best bet is getting to a decent independent tack shop and trying on a few styles of body protector before writing them off.
 
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