Children and body protectors

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abbieandfiona

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Looked at body protectors today but the tack shop suggested it would do more harm than good for him to have a body protector on. He is two years old, got a hat etc now and loves riding sits on my 14.2 mare as well as the little shetland by himself without being led on the 14.2 as she is good. Going to be doing shows this summer as he loves it thats why we thought a body protector would be a good idea? But she said its better just to let them fall off at that age and just have a hat on?
 
If I had a child, I think I would personally have bought it, purely for peace of mind, however at 2, he's not going to be doing anything off leadrein without you stood right next to him, and it may be best to let him find his own balance in the saddle without the restrictions of a body protector while you're there to be his safety net :o

My body protector was too long on the back when I was small, and I remember my pony bucked in canter once, and the extra bit of length at the back got stuck behind the saddle and I couldn't get my seat back in time :eek:
 
Although hes young, it is a very good habit for them to get used to wearing one, they can be a bit stiff to ride in at first but if its worn from day 1 its what they get used to and all they know. My daughters now 7 and although she doesnt wear it all the time now, she did when she was younger for everything. Shes recently started pulling faces at it, because she shows alot she doesnt wear it for that and has got used to the freedom without one, i insist on one for all jumping and hacking and if shes ridng something shes not used too,
 
I would only put one on for jumping, sporting or faster activities. I really think it is overkill on a led pony, but having said that they still can fall off a led pony.

My kids only wear one for x country or difficult ponies. A lot of mums at pony club do put their 4 yr olds in them though, so if it makes you feel better, then do it.
 
They are so hard to find :mad:

You can buy small ones so easily but if you follow the measuring guides they very rarely 'fit' correctly.

I have tried but until my girls start jump which will probably be the summer hols i'm going to wait out. I had mine made for me as I'm such an odd shape (so these protector people tell me) but not paying £200 for something that won't fit in 6 month and won't fit anyone else either.

Small kids don't tense up like us old'en so are less likely to her themselves on a straight forward hit the deck fall. Think when you've had a drink ;)
 
Was it a small independent shop or a large "chain" tack shop?

I'm a little confused as to why a shop would stock items that they think are more harmful then good?

Fwiw when I started riding at 4 I always wore a BP.
 
Really would not bother - I sent my daughter to a riding school with one and the first thing they did was take it off! I do agree though - far too restrictive and actually really hard to grab hold of if they look like they are about to fall off!

As someone else said - a 2yo will not be off the leadrein anyway and I would assume the pony is safe?
 
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