Body protectors- quick quiz/poll

[dizzyf]

Should body protectors be compulsary in more than just XC?

Should professionals such as show jumers wear them, and eventers in all 3 disciplines???

Thoughts??

 

[mazziek]

i always wear my body protector for xc, sj and if i was gonna hunt i would wear it. i think some of the higher up riders should wear it too but the problem is there is so many out there that dont ever wear hats! i saw a photo other day of a horse for sale and the rider who is a well know sj'r was not wearing his hat! call me old fashioned but there is a lot of young riderw who look up t him! few big rant over! way i see it, i only have one life i like to keep it that way!

 

[blackcob]

Surprised to see a vote each for showing and hacking - the day it is compulsory for me to wear a body protector for either of those is the day I stop riding, frankly.

 

[Irishcobs]

If they made body pros more comfortable they maybe. I love my racesafe one, the most comfortable I have ever had and the best fit. But no way could I hunt in it or even do more than a short xc course as I just can't breath in it. Backing the babies we always wear body pro's, my ribs and stomach have more colours than a rainbow from the leaning over etc.

 

[Ziggy_]

[ QUOTE ]
Surprised to see a vote each for showing and hacking - the day it is compulsory for me to wear a body protector for either of those is the day I stop riding, frankly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto! I never wear one.

I find them very uncomfortable, I struggle to find one thats a good fit due to my shape, and I don't like to wear anything that restricts my movement and my ability to stay in the saddle.

 

[Grey_Eventer]

i dont think you need them for showjumping,showing,hacking, endurance. definitley for XC and racing. i geuss its your own choice though.

 

[diggerbez]

only time i wear mine is for XC. i hate riding in them- i feel that they restrict my movement. i've had some very 'ariel' horses who i've somehow managed to stay on but don't feel i would with a BP on. i totally respect people who choose to wear them for SJ or hacking or whatever but i think it should come down to free choice- its rare that BPs actually save your life- unlike hats- so i think people should be able to choose. i do wonder tho whether they should make the exo bodycage compulsory for XC as i think it offers more protection in the event of a rotational fall...

 

[Quadro]

i have to say i find bp's very restrictive and think they make the rider less sgile and hinder there movement so i think def not for anything other than xc

 

[Laafet]

They are complusory for stable staff in racing so that was an option not there. TBH I got used to it when I worked with racehorses and I rode out in Australia too and there was no excuse, you were not allowed on a racehorse without one even if it was over 30 degrees. I always wear one cross country but have a nice racesafe one that fits correctly so not uncomfortable at all. I have never worn one hunting, mainly because it would not fit under my jacket and I am not buying a new jacket. I think it is overkill for Dressage and Showing but I recently judged at a show where a number of the first riddens worn them over their jackets which looked a but odd but I did not mark them down for it, it is a matter of personal choice IMO. A bit like hats, if you want to risk a head injury that is your problem I won't lecture you.

 

[MrsMozart]

I voted yes for all

.

...though I'd love to not have have to wear a hat or a BP...

.

 

[MagicMelon]

I said no. I think they should only be compulsary for XC as they are now. I only wear mine for XC and maybe if backing youngsters. I think they should probably be used for racing but I believe they are already. Anything which involves solid fences needs them I think!

 

[leanne1988]

i wear mine for everything! have done since i was little...perhaps it has become a little OCD of mine lol, scared to ride without it now!i spose thats not such a bad thing tho!

 

[Sol]

Have to say that unless I'm doing XC, I never wear mine... it's just not flexible enough (and right now I can't afford a new one!)
Think that in reality it would be best to wear one if you're doing fast work or hacking - think about it, if your out hacking, there's a huge possibility that your horse might spook unexpectedly and you're a lot more likely to just be relaxed and take an unexpected trip out the side door! Especially if you're doing road work...

But as I said to start, I also find them stiff and they often make it hard to stay with the horse I find, leading to even more problems!
Guess it depends how safety concious you are really

 

[leanne1988]

mine fits fine, probably because ive worn it so much its moulded to my every lump and bump! lol.

I think they are extremely important. I fell off my friends ex racer, vertcially onto my spine, for a secound i thought i wasnt going to get back up, had to go to a & e. luckily i managed to get away with only serve brusing bt the doc said it could have been much worse if i hadnt been wearing 1!

 

[megwan1]

i thort they were cumpolsory (sp) in racing?!
i think that while its a good safer idea for everyone to wear one for every discipline
there needs to be choice because at the end of the day people should not be forced to do everything

i do feel tho that hats should certainly be worn by pros as people look up to them and any publications or fotos they should have a hat on even if its just for the 10seconds for the fotos 2 b taken

 

[dizzyf]

professinals that dont wear hats annoy me- since when did their skulls become stronger than the average riders?!!

We all look up to top riders, and I have to say that if SJs wore them , then I would too!!

IT's not just solid fences that can cause damage, the floor is pretty solid!!

I do agree that they are so uncomfortable and restricting.

Blackcob- didn't you hear about the show rider who broke her spine the other week?

But I guess horses are dangerous and we all take that risk knowingly.

I want someone to invent an invisible feeling body protectot, then I'd wear it 100%!!!

 

[ladyearl]

Everyone laughs at me 'cos I always wear one me but the laugh is on the other face when they have to don one to do xc because I wear mine all the time it feels totally normal and they feel stiff and uncomfortable!!

As for top riders going hatless - grr this is a pet hate of mine. I don't care what risks they take in the privacy of their own yard and I do actually believe they probably don't fall off so often as novices but when in the public eye they should realise that along with the top spot comes a responsibility to those behind them and they should set an example.

 

[Fransurrey]

I actually wear mine just for hacking, but I do hack on very rocky terrain. My last accident resulted in a whole load of painful grief, which my BP would have prevented. I'll pay the price for evermore, so I do try to wear it, although it's starting to get very hot in it!!! I don't think it should be compulsory for hacking, though. It's just my choice to wear one.