BODY PROTECTORS - THOUGHTS

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Agent XXX999

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I was wondering what your thoughts on body protectors were, I think they can be more dangerous than not having one.

My frined rides racehorses and for them it is compulsary - they hate it. She fell the other day and popped three ribs out because the protector restricted her bodys natural way of landing.
They also restrice visability.

I only wear one xc and I agree that they are uncomfortable, and restrictive. I have also had a bad fall where I landed on my bum and the protector was shunted upwards giving me bruising under my arms and a fat lip.

Thoughts please
 
I rode in mine several months ago, for the first time in years, because I thought that I *had* to wear it for a hunter trial (actually the only reason I own one). It caused my back to hurt so much I thought I was going to cry
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ive tried them years ago when they werent as well designed, and it was terrible to ride in , really restrictive.
havent got one so dont know what theyre like now, but thinking about getting one as some new gees to back
 
They are uncomfortable when it's hot but mine has saved me from broken ribs a few times and I think when falling off I'd have far worse damage than I've had without it. I feel more confident with it on too, even though I don't ride as neatly.

I've never had a negative experience with mine to comment on.
 
I have a RS2000 which is actually very comfy compared to other ones Ive had. Although I still only use it for XC. I agree they dont allow you to fall naturally as they keep you rigid. Ive been winded a few times because they make you land flat on your back. But overall, I think the odd bruise / broken rib is probably better than injuries you could get without one on.
 
I have a racesafe one which is really comfortable. Wear it when I hack out, Harri's just been rebacked and we're still on slightly dodgy ground, and Delilah was backed on saturday. I've fallen off in it and it was like landing in a sponge - lovely
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I got one recently, after I fell off and landed on the metal cup of a jump wing and ended up with quite a bit of bruising and cuts and grazes where my back had slid along the metal - I was only jumping about 6inches, and my pony is only 14.1hh so I hadn't fallen far... This is my back the day after (bit gross sorry): http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/bexboo1984/08082007357.jpg

7 weeks on and I still have a big bump in my back and I think it's going to leave quite a scar. Had I been wearing a body protector I think I would have avoided these (minor, but painful) injuries. I now always jump in a body protector, and if I know I'm going out for a canter on a hack I wear one too. I'd also wear one hacking on the roads. Mine is very comfy and I FEEL more secure, and therefore more confident, wearing one.
 
The reason they cause you to hurt when you fall off is because the pressure of them causes you to wind yourself, this can be very painful for a few minutes or even days however not as painful as broken ribs or a broken back!
I don't wear one for sj but would not dream of going xc without one- I wouldn't feel dressed! I have a Rodney Powell one and its great to ride in.
 
I fall off more when wearing one than not!!
The only two times i've fallen off in the last 6 years (and i've been riding at least once a day in that time) has been wearing a back protector.
They stiffen you up and so if you start falling you really loose the ability to right yourself as you cant twist.
I find nearly all of them are too long and push you up out of the saddle.
The first fall was a biggy - but i was crippled for days because i landed flat on my back and my back protector did some fairly major damage to my lower back / pelvis / top of hips area as the edge of the protector caused deep bruising... probably worse but didnt go to the docs. stuck in bed for 3 days.
In a strange way i think they're good if you are novice and dont know how to fall, but otherwise they are uncomfortable, restrictive and i think they make you fall off more!!!
 
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I have never worn a body protector. Even while out doing XC. My instructor has never mentioned that I should get one for the XC.

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I'm very suprised at this as my instructor even insists on me wearing long sleeves! Any cross country competition should be reinforcing their rules on back protectors and you certainly wouldn't be allowed to go BE without one
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if they fit properly, i can't see how they restrict visibility! having had uncomfy ones in the past, my last 2 have been properly fitted Rodney Powell ones, without shoulder pads, and they are very very comfy. as soon as i'm riding, i completely forget it's there. i wear one for backing youngsters and for xc schooling and xc comps, but not for anything else.
i think they need fitting properly, tbh. i've never been bruised by one, and i think i've averted a few bruises because of one!
 
if they fit properly they shouldnt be restrictive, nor affect the way u ride - just look at all the pros going round burghley etc theyall seem to ride just fine wearing them. its a case of finding the rite one for u, getting it proffesionally fitted and not just wearing it wen u compete for 10 mins round a xc - it needs to mould to ur shape by being worn regulary and u need to get used to it
 
I always wear one for all jumping (its an age thing) and I feel vunerable without one. I have the Racesafe 2000 and it is great you forget your wearing it. My horse crushed me against the partitions in the lorry and I was wearing one and swear it saved several broken ribs. Also fallen on to SJ before and never had a bruise etc
 
i won't go xc in short sleeves either. not worth the scrapes if it all goes pear-shaped!
i've never been winded in mine, i fall totally normally in it. the Rodney Powell one is front-zip, and then you can adjust the tightness with the very wide velcro waist-strap that goes from the sides to the back. very highly recommended, but it must be the right length for you, obviously.
 
I always wear my protector, after fracturing three vertebrae and crushing three more on a unspectacular fall on hard ground. I now wear a airowear zip fronted protector - not the cheapest on the market, but comes in different fittings and is shaped to take the womanly figure. I echo the advice on comfort - if it fits correctly it should neither restrict nor be uncomfortable. Just like other pieces of riding clothing, you have to try different brands to get the right fit.
 
I've also got an airowear zip fronted - fits really well on me - feminine figure and is adjustable at the sides as well. One of my friends has a Rodney Powell and she finds it comfortable enough once on, but always has to get someone else to put it on for her as there is a ridge about 2cm up from the bottom of the zip which is a paid to get the zip over. I liked the idea of the racesafe one - but couldn't face the price given I am unlikely to do an XC course.
 
I nearly always wear one because I've got brittle bones. It's not particularly uncomfortable, but neither has it saved me from broken bones (sternum and ribs(twice)). But maybe that's just me.
 
bought a rodney powell one with shoulder pads that was fitted professionally and have to say its fab
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felt like I was going into battle the first time I wore it but once on Pidge I forgot I was wearing it! wear it all the time now when doing XC fences.
 
I have a very old one (red label) and I love it, wore it the other day when I was jumping.
Not restrictive at all, very comfy!


Really need a new one as it is compulsory for my uni course so needs to be up to current standards, they are so expensive!
 
ive got the rodney powell one - and have boobs altho they r often rather defleated looking wen i take it off lol!just have to get sumone to help me zip it up but once on its great!
 
I don't jump so I have no real want to wear one. I have a bad back and they are uncomfortable. I'll be wearing one when I take my youngster out onto the roads for the first time, but that's pretty much it.
 
l have an exo body cage one which when l tried l thought l would hate but its very comfortable and l dont notice any difference between that and my normal old one.I got one really as l event other peoples horses as well as my own and my OH said l ought to!!
 
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I'll be wearing one when I take my youngster out onto the roads for the first time, but that's pretty much it.

[/ QUOTE ] That's what I did when my mare was a youngster, but I'm still wearing it for hacking now! Partly because I've got used to it now and it's as automatic as putting on my hat, and partly because the superstitious part of me feels that the day I decide to put it on will be the day I need it
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. Oh, and they keep you really warm in the winter as well
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.
 
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