Dismounting with a body protector

[Clo thehorsegal]

I have been riding for about 3 -4 years now and i find it very hard dismounting with a body protector. It always seems to hit my chin and the zip breaks a bit at the end. It is so annoying it is much easier taking it off befire i dismount but my instructor dosent allow me to do that. Any suggestions

 

[Red-1]

If you are hitting your chin on your body protector when dismounting, it doesn't fit and you need another.

I would do this as a matter of urgency as if just dismounting causes you to hit your chin, an actual fall may make the body protector actually injure you.

If a saddlery shop professionally fitted it for you, recently, I would take it back for a refund as it is not fit for purpose.

 

[Clo thehorsegal]

Thank you. I got it recently at a tack shop but it was fitted by a teenager. I didn't think it was very professional.

If you are hitting your chin on your body protector when dismounting, it doesn't fit and you need another.

I would do this as a matter of urgency as if just dismounting causes you to hit your chin, an actual fall may make the body protector actually injure you.

If a saddlery shop professionally fitted it for you, recently, I would take it back for a refund as it is not fit for purpose.

 

[MereChristmas]

I thought body protectors had to be fitted by someone who is BETA trained

 

[Rowreach]

it definitely shouldn't ride up like that. What make is it? The more solid ones are more uncomfortable and harder to fit properly than the articulated type.

 

[Rowreach]

I thought body protectors had to be fitted by someone who is BETA trained

It's Ireland, I wouldn't depend on it

 

[MereChristmas]

It's Ireland, I wouldn't depend on it

ah, OK

 

[Clo thehorsegal]

Thank you i will be sure to get a new one that fits me correctly

 

[Tiddlypom]

If you get the base of the body protector hooked on the pommel as you dismount then it will inevitably be pushed up and hit you on your chin.

You need to swing away from the horse more as you dismount. You definitely shouldn't remove a body protector while still on the horse.

That is not to say that the body protector fits or not, that is another issue.

 

[Clo thehorsegal]

I think it does fit me but as you said it get caught

 

[Rowreach]

I think it does fit me but as you said it get caught

So your instructor should be showing you how to dismount with it on.

 

[JackFrost]

Fling yourself up and away from the horse, don't just slither off. I ended up doing a handstand once and learned not to do it again.

 

[JBM]

I used to always have the same problem it was very much the way I was dismounting and I pretty much jump as far away from the horse as possible now!

 

[Clo thehorsegal]

Thanks i will try to do this when I am dismounting from now on

 

[Red-1]

If you get the base of the body protector hooked on the pommel as you dismount then it will inevitably be pushed up and hit you on your chin.

You need to swing away from the horse more as you dismount. You definitely shouldn't remove a body protector while still on the horse.

That is not to say that the body protector fits or not, that is another issue.

Genuinely, I am perplexed. I don't think there is anything I could do when dismounting to make my body protector hit me on the chin.

ETA, just looked up a photo, and it is a long way from the chin. I can only presume it is either too long or not snug enough round the ribs?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Genuinely, I am perplexed. I don't think there is anything I could do when dismounting to make my body protector hit me on the chin.

Me neither Particularly at present as I'm having to be inventive about dismounting.

 

[Fleece Navidad]

Me neither Particularly at present as I'm having to be inventive about dismounting.

It would have to be quite loose under the arms to be able to move that much...

Maybe the older style ones that velcro around rather than the zippy type?

 

[JackFrost]

Genuinely, I am perplexed. I don't think there is anything I could do when dismounting to make my body protector hit me on the chin.

What happens - especially if your saddle is snug for your bum, is when you lean forward the bottom of the bp gets pushed up on the pommel, either against your chin if it's a bit loose, or you somehow push your whole self up if it fits well. With a badly fitting bp, it gets stuck on the front and you are left dangling upside down. Not quite sure how that happens but it does .

 

[Skib]

I wear a bp and it is hard to stop them riding up and hitting one round the neck. This happened to me when I fell last year. The remedy is to have the bp fastened tighter at the waist than at the chest level. But I have a very square rib cage, narrow shoulders and not much waist, so it is a sort of compromise.
My dismount does not shift the bp. Because I started riding as an older person over 60, I was taught at my very first lesson how to dismount military style with my left foot in the stirrup. Even so as I slide to the ground I need to take care not to press my bp against the saddle.

 

[Red-1]

What happens - especially if your saddle is snug for your bum, is when you lean forward the bottom of the bp gets pushed up on the pommel, either against your chin if it's a bit loose, or you somehow push your whole self up if it fits well. With a badly fitting bp, it gets stuck on the front and you are left dangling upside down. Not quite sure how that happens but it does .

But the bottom of the protector is near the bottom of your ribs, how does your ribcage be involved in dismounting?

I guess anything is possible with a badly fitting protector, hence my first comment that of this is a recent purchase, fitted by a saddler, I would return it as not fit for purpose.

Genuinely, if it hits the vulnerable area under the chin from a dismount, presumably through being too long and loose, I would be worried that when you have a fall, it would do damage to the vulnerable area. I would discontinue use straight away.

 

[little_critter]

Fling yourself up and away from the horse, don't just slither off. I ended up doing a handstand once and learned not to do it again.

This. It sounds like you are slithering down the saddle so no only are you getting caught, you risk scratching the saddle wit zips etc.
gently push yourself away from the horse as you dismount.

 

[JackFrost]

With short- coupled person, roomy saddle and highish pommel, if you lean forwards over the withers your ribcage is in proximity with the pommel.
You need the bp to be snug at the bottom, but then too snug and you can't breathe - not good either

 

[Skib]

But the bottom of the protector is near the bottom of your ribs, how does your ribcage be involved in dismounting?

The rib cage and its shape may determine the presence or absense of a waist. Riders with a pronounced waist have no problem. But those of us who post child bearing and, in my case, surgery, have little waist line, may have a problem with the bp slipping up
The lower front edge of a bp is covering the lower ribs by about an inch. But one can't fasten it tight at the waist, as in order to breathe properly as one rides, the bp must be loose enough for the rib cage to expand. As described here.

You need the bp to be snug at the bottom, but then too snug and you can't breathe - not good either