Body Protectors

[Piaffe63]

Just curious really

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

Always for XC. Not otherwise.

although I do keep it in the car and if someone with a known problem horse asks me to sit on it for them, I might put it on. I've got a 21month old at home, I don't want to take chances on someone else's nutter!

 

[sue12345]

So surprised at the poll result that most don't wear one. I admitt that when i came back to riding after 20 years i found it an odd sensation but now it's like driving with out a seat belt, just wrong. Mine defo saved my life a few months ago.

 

[HollyB66]

It's just a habit, like wearing my hat

 

[monkeybum13]

Always for hacking and xc.
I don't always wear one for SJ but I do when riding my own horse who is still green when it comes to jumping.

 

[Jesstickle]

I find them all so hatefully uncomfortable. I am busty (very, as in 36G or even more than that on a fat day) and short and tbh none of them really fit me properly. I am xc schooling on Saturday and I won't be wearing one because I don't even own one.

 

[Nagling]

Always for hacking, cross country, showjumping and anytime involving riding green youngsters. I don't wear one for showing (except for jumping section of WH) or dressage. Doesn't bother me at all, if anything it feels wrong not wearing one. Have always had racesafes and find them so comfy plus warm in the winter!

 

[Lolo]

Pretty much never, only for XC. Same for my sister- although she will also don hers when she rides young/ naughty horses.

When we were younger, we wore them for absolutely everything at mum's insistence. Now she leaves the decision up to us.

 

[AFlapjack]

I wear mine for XC and am looking to get a Kan in the near future and will try and wear it more often (as in everything minus schooling) as my current one is a bit bulky although I do feel very safe when I wear it. Just restricts my movement a bit too much for schooling.

 

[rhino]

I find them all so hatefully uncomfortable. I am busty (very, as in 36G or even more than that on a fat day) and short and tbh none of them really fit me properly. I am xc schooling on Saturday and I won't be wearing one because I don't even own one.

I don't know any xc courses that let you school without a bp!

I wear mine (racesafe) for xc schooling/competing, riding out at racing yards and at other times if I feel it would be advisable Not usually with the youngsters although I might if I am riding something with a known rearing issue

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

Never. Have tried various and just can't stand them. I have the same problem as jesstickle - cup size F's on a size 12 frame. I just can't find one to fit me!
I have seen somebody break their back wearing a fitted body protector so they don't necessarily help, and if they are so uncomfortable they take the joy out of riding (and considering clostrophobic me was in so much discomfort trying them on in the shop I couldn't even stand 5 mins in them!), I would rather take the risk without them.

 

[Jesstickle]

Well, in that case Rhino, I might not be xc schooling because I'm not going out to buy one!

I literally have never found one I can actually wear. Even a racesafe doesn't really work. When I rode at work I was much thinner and had less boobs so I could just about squeeze in to one but now they're just horrible!

 

[Jesstickle]

Never. Have tried various and just can't stand them. I have the same problem as jesstickle - cup size F's on a size 12 frame. I just can't find one to fit me!
I have seen somebody break their back wearing a fitted body protector so they don't necessarily help, and if they are so uncomfortable they take the joy out of riding (and considering clostrophobic me was in so much discomfort trying them on in the shop I couldn't even stand 5 mins in them!), I would rather take the risk without them.

Bloody irritating isn't it. I feel like I can't breathe in most of them. I'm only a size 12 too. My jackets are size 16s taken in but they don't do that for bps at the local tailor shop!

 

[rhino]

Well, in that case Rhino, I might not be xc schooling because I'm not going out to buy one!

I literally have never found one I can actually wear. Even a racesafe doesn't really work. When I rode at work I was much thinner and had less boobs so I could just about squeeze in to one but now they're just horrible!

It's worth checking, would be rubbish to turn up and not be able to jump

FWIW the Kans are meant to be fab for busty girls, I wouldn't know though as I most certainly don't have that 'problem'

ETA I'm assuming by 'less boobs' you meant smaller and not fewer

 

[ebonyallen]

I did when first got back on after my acident,but have to say hardly ever do now, how bad is that, this has really made me sit here and think had two nasty falls this year and where was it in the car boot !!!! Now going to try and get back into the habit.

 

[Jesstickle]

It's worth checking, would be rubbish to turn up and not be able to jump

FWIW the Kans are meant to be fab for busty girls, I wouldn't know though as I most certainly don't have that 'problem'

I tried one at your horse a couple of years ago and that didn't really work either. They may have added extra sizes since then though so will have another look.

ETA: I might might have my old Rodney Powell somewhere about. Perhaps I could shoe horn myself into that if I can find it. Will look hilarious though!

 

[courage_uk]

I bought a new body protector when I decided to get brave and jump my gelding a few years ago, I just cant get a comfy fit.
Iv got the added bonus to the other lovely ladies the face I'm busty but also very tall and long in the back ( 6ft ish lol).
I find when I wear it (such as out on hacks with my spooky git at the moment ) it just unbalance's my position. I would say it probably wasn't fitted properly by the lady who measured me up.
but hey ho - I'd always say wear it if your doing any unusual work such as jumping or fast work.

 

[Cedars]

I dont know what to pick as I wear mine for jumping, sitting on my youngster, hacking and if I know the horse is a bugger!

So, not rarely, but not only for jumping either?!

 

[ladyt25]

I have put rarely/never as although I would wear it for XC comps (because you have to) I wouldn't wear it for showjumping. God, I remember when they started coming in and then they made it compulsory for you to wear them XC - I am only early 30s as well! I remember it was a real pain as before that you just wore coloured rugby shirts and they wouldn't fit over the BPs that came out - that was very frustrating! Lol

I would probably buy a Kanteq when i next get one as my old airowear is probably pretty knackered inall honesty.

 

[charlimouse]

I put rarely/never, however I do wear it for XC. Maybe that should have been an option?

For those saying they can't get BP's to fit. I am a size 8 on top and take an 'E' cup, and have found the Kan so much better than all other body protectors. Worth a try.

 

[unbalanced]

I hate mine and only wear it when I have to, like for hunter trials and the serious sort of sponsored rides over proper cross country jumps like RAF Halton. I have been XC schooling without it - to be honest when I've been XC schooling no one has checked anyway, and there are the more relaxed sponsored rides with XC jumps that don't really care as long as you have a hat on. It does fit - I just feel a lot less mobile in it and I'm sure it makes me more likely to fall off!

 

[Jesstickle]

I went on the Kan website and the biggest option for cup size I can put in is E? What does that mean? That it wouldn't fit if you were bigger than that or just that you're bigger than an E?

 

[rhino]

I went on the Kan website and the biggest option for cup size I can put in is E? What does that mean? That it wouldn't fit if you were bigger than that or just that you're bigger than an E?

I would give them a call, their customer service is supposed to be absolutely amazing

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

Bloody irritating isn't it. I feel like I can't breathe in most of them. I'm only a size 12 too. My jackets are size 16s taken in but they don't do that for bps at the local tailor shop!

I know - when I try them on they literally HURT my boobs they squash them so much! I've tried Kanteq, as it was reccommended for "busty ladies", but unfortunatly still not "busty" enough... lol.
If I had transport and so could get out to xc courses regually, I think I would buy a level 1 BP, as as somebody has said most courses will only let you ride with one on (I've never seen courses stipulate the level of BP you have to wear, so should be fine). They provide a lot less support as they are softer - but because of this 'softness' they don't hurt. Have tried one on, and whilst I wouldn't call them comfortable, they are wearable and certainly don't hurt. However for £150, without transport it's just not worth getting one right now.

 

[charlimouse]

I went on the Kan website and the biggest option for cup size I can put in is E? What does that mean? That it wouldn't fit if you were bigger than that or just that you're bigger than an E?

Give Wendy at Kan a call, she will get you sorted!

 

[Jesstickle]

I know - when I try them on they literally HURT my boobs they squash them so much! I've tried Kanteq, as it was reccommended for "busty ladies", but unfortunatly still not "busty" enough... lol.
If I had transport and so could get out to xc courses regually, I think I would buy a level 1 BP, as as somebody has said most courses will only let you ride with one on (I've never seen courses stipulate the level of BP you have to wear, so should be fine). They provide a lot less support as they are softer - but because of this 'softness' they don't hurt. Have tried one on, and whilst I wouldn't call them comfortable, they are wearable and certainly don't hurt. However for £150, without transport it's just not worth getting one right now.

Bum. You found what I found with the Kan. That isn't hugely hopeful is it? I liked my racesafe ok. I should just lose weight again. My boobs just get stupidly big when I put on any fat at all! Sounds great but is a bleddy nuisance!

I think racesafe might be able to adjust them a little bit FWIW.

 

[Archiepoo]

Well i certainly dont have your problem with boobs! ive had back surgery and dont wear a bp ,i just cant get one that is comfy! have been bucked off quite spectacularly a few times so very lucky really! so maybe should try a bit harder to find one that fits and then actually wear it!

 

[animal]

I always just think "what if", trust the day i don't will be the day i fall. Always on hacks/when i'm alone (not often though). I find it gived me confidence to "face the naps, scary fence etc".
It's just me but i feel it "supports" by back, like keeping it straight. Having never not ridden with one much, i don't really feel restricted anyway.

My dad would be horrified if i ever rode my pony (who is a bad napper, bucker) without one.
I want to get all the life out of it yet!

If i had a more sensible pony i might not wear one.
Don't mind people who don't, good for them if they have enough trust in their mount! But i for one wouldn't want to do a jump course etc without one, i feel it's not worth it.

Plus it keeps me warm in winter (and maybe a little hot in summer!).

 

[JFTDWS]

Only for xc when it's compulsory. I have the same problem as JT etc - wearing a body protector seriously reduces my ability to breathe, on account of my "well endowedness" - and I reckon I'm much more likely to injure myself as a direct result of passing out

 

[amc]

To be honest...Only when I have to which is when I do XC, I find body protectors so uncomfortable and if I found something more agreeable then maybe I'd wear it more