Body Protectors

[dominobrown]

Just for xc, racing, or very naughty horses which are getting backed.

 

[Tickles]

For everything except (supervised) vaulting.

I came off my most 'unsuitable' ride once only. And that was at a halt in a school.

You never know when you'll be grateful to have it on.

 

[Trot_On_Dressage]

Only when going XC (which is very rare) and when backing a youngster

 

[Jesstickle]

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

What do you have?

 

[JFTDWS]

What do you have?

It's an airowear outlyne - I'm not as well endowed as you though and it still limits my ability to breathe! I needed one for a competition reasonably urgently so I just bought the best fit of the ones they had at ISC It's an improvement on my previous one which I got when I was 14 though

 

[Jesstickle]

ISC? Is that Ingatestone?

I guess I'm not destined to take my horse eventing anyway. I think I'd die half way round in anything I've tried to date. I might look into having a racesafe made to measure. But then my weight fluctuates so much it would probably end up not fitting again in 6 months. Stupid boobs. I should have them removed!

 

[JFTDWS]

Yes, Ingatestone - my local place

I die half way round a proper eventing course, regardless of the body protector tbh

Racesafes do look like they'd be more accomodating if you could get one to fit...

 

[dorito]

Rarely/never.
Bought my first bp a few months ago and just don't find it comfortable; not that I'm busty but it's so hot and sweaty...and doesn't fit under most of my jackets.

 

[Jesstickle]

OO. Deepest darkest Essex. You aren't even on the boundary! I like Ingatestone though

 

[YorksG]

I only wear mine for jumping, and that is only because sister insists I am not well endowed in the bosom department, but still hate the things. I am short in the back and end up hacking the bottom of the bottom panel off to stop it hitting the cantle. I do have a bodyguard jacket for winter hacking, but that is for warmth rather than safety It is good though and sis has reason to be thankful for hers, saved her having more than bruises when she was bucked off onto the road (mind you the fact that she landed on her head saved the rest of her from injury!)

 

[JFTDWS]

OO. Deepest darkest Essex. You aren't even on the boundary! I like Ingatestone though

I know It's not really East Anglia at all, but I can't bring myself to put Essex as my location I'm hoping to move up your way next year though when I'm done with this joke of a Ph-bloody-D

Ingatestone's alright I guess. I find it quite dangerous and try not to head up there too often

 

[Jesstickle]

It is officially East Angular it's fine

 

[JFTDWS]

It is officially East Angular it's fine

I console myself that I was not born in this godforsaken county so I'm not an Essex chav at least.

Thank heavens for that - I couldn't bear to look up the strict definition of East Angular for fear it might omit Essex and compell me to change it

 

[Jesstickle]

Well I'm a Norfolk gel, born and bred. So definitely East Anglian. Apart from the fact I went to school in London and lived there in the week for 10 years. But I hate London and luff Norfolk. I wish I could move home

 

[JFTDWS]

I ddi my undergrad in London. Possibly the only place on earth worse than Essex. I was born in Surrey and grew up in Glasgow, lived in Essex for years though... Can I move to Norfolk with you? I love Norfolk I'd settle for Suffolk though, or Cambridgeshire, anywhere's better than here

 

[Jesstickle]

Norfolk is difficult. No jobs Cambridge on the other hand is like Mecca for scientists

 

[OldNag]

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.

If it helps, I'm also a G cup and have just got an Aerowear (sp?) Outlyne. It's really comfortable. (And added bonus, I've discovered it acts as a sort of sports bra ).

I had a Rodney Powell that was absolutely horrible to wear - no give in it at all, it felt like a straightjacket.

Honestly it's worth trying some of the new ones. I tried on a Racesafe and that felt comfy but the Outlyne felt much better.

 

[JFTDWS]

Norfolk is difficult. No jobs Cambridge on the other hand is like Mecca for scientists

I'm done with science The closest thing I'd consider doing is some sort of medical writing... I could freelance from Norfolk Not that I could afford to move there I don't think!

 

[Jesstickle]

Norfolk is dead cheap! You'd be fine. You can' really be done with science though. You don't mean it!

If it makes you feel better I've just totally effed up the experiments I was doing this morning. I am so cross with myself now!

 

[foraday]

Got a point two

Always wear mine.

Has saved me on 3 occasions now! Like someone said I put it on like my hat! Never leave home without it

 

[OFG]

voted always.

Haven't worn a BP for years but after nagging my 9 year old that he must wear one I thought that I should lead by example and as I have just gone and got a new pony on loan for me to ride I thought it was a good time.

Taking some getting used to wearing one again after so long but just don't think its worth the risk not to. I think that we can get too complacent and think that 'oh its only hacking / schooling' that we think nothing serious could happen.

 

[Spotsrock]

I wear mine to jump, whatever I'm riding. I wear it to hack new boy after he bolted down middle of road with me! I generally wear it when I ride hima s he can be a bit daft still and our surface can be slippery, rather not get stuck under somehting his size without one on! I also wear it first time on a new horse.

I sometimes wear it to hack B as if we see anything jumpable in the verge, I feel more confident to have a go wearing it!

Used to feel a social pariah as a child when my dad made me wear one to jump. After a few nasty falls, I don't care. I'm far more confident in it than out of it. I do get lax in the summer when it's hot though.

 

[JFTDWS]

...

 

[AMH]

I have to say, apart from a Racesafe, I wouldn't give any of them house room.

I always wore one for XC, but I don't think I'd fall 'properly' in any but a Racesafe - at least I could move in one of those.

 

[Piaffe63]

I always, always wear mine. When I was younger it was compulsory at our riding school to wear one, so I just got used to the habit

 

[fidleyspromise]

When I was younger, all the time.
My current one doesn't fit and I can't afford a new one yet. The last time I wore one would have been about 10 years ago.
My aim is to XC next year so will need one for that

 

[Yorkshirelass1]

I have youngsters which I always wear a bp with, however out hunting on my trusted mare before Christmas I was involved in a serious rotational fall and had to be airlifted to hospital. I was not wearing my body protector as I felt it was uncomfortable to wear for Day's hunting and it affected my comfort in the saddle after a few hours. Plus I have faith in my mare and maybe there was some vanity involved too??!
However I have fractured my back (along with breaking my nose and according to onlookers and medics I have been fortunate to escape a more serious outcome). I now feel I owe it to my family to wear a bp if I return to the hunting field. Can someone recommend one which has a bit of flex for a few hours in the saddle please?

 

[Megibo]

Sometimes for jumping, have to wear one without fail at college.
So once a week i wear one!
And also for XC schooling when we go.

 

[rhino]

Can someone recommend one which has a bit of flex for a few hours in the saddle please?

So sorry to hear about your accident Bar a woof wear exo skeleton most body protectors will have only limited 'protection' with a rotational as it is the crush effect which normally does the damage (obviously the air jackets are aimed at this scenario although should be worn with a standard bp too - and personally I'm yet to be convinced by them)

Personally, the only body protector I feel comfortable wearing for long periods of time, without affecting flexibility, is the racesafe I am little and lightweight and anything else really irritates me, with the rs I forget I have it on

 

[JustKickOn]

I ticked 'rarely/never'.

I wear it for XC, and when hacking across open fields etc as there is always the odd buck thrown in, and just because I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Used to wear it every time I jumped at college, but only because it was compulsory, I prefer not to jump in it.

Yorkshirelass- I have a RaceSafe, and have also tried on airowear and Rodney Powell ones, and prefer my RS by far. It fits perfectly down the length of my back, doesn't catch on the saddle, and once it's on, it's just like another layer of skin it fits so well and I forget it's on. It's made up of individual panels, so fits to the contours of your body. I'd definitely recommend you try one. I hope you have a swift recovery.