Do you ride in a body protector?

I got one at the end of last year for XC use, then I started a new job breaking in 2 year old TB's for racing so have now got into the habit of wearing it when ever I ride. I have a racesafe though which is very very comfortable, I can't get on with any other type of BP.
 
Yes.

If I hadn't been wearing one, I'd be paralysed. The BP couldn't prevent the compression feature (landed on my feet from a height), but it protected my by then broken back as I went skidding across the school.


Try the Kanteq. D1 is happy to practically live in hers.
 
Yep, I just like the fact that I'm using it rather than it being sat in my wardrobe being a complete waste of money or just making the odd appearance during jumping/XC.

Reality is that I'm more likely to take a tumle and suffer an injury when I'm out hacking/schooling than when I'm jumping because that is what I'm doing on a daily basis 90% of the time.

I've got used to wearing just like wearing a hat.
 
I would never hack without it - I have had some accidents that could have been VERY serious if I hadn't have been wearing my BP.
Obviously I wear it for xc and would wear it under a jacket for hunting.
I still wear it for SJ on my mare as she is still fairly green.
 
Thanks very much. I am going to go back to the shop and try on a RAcesafe one and then probably swap. Mine was so expensive that another £30 isn't going to make that much difference!
 
bluewhippet said:
Thanks very much. I am going to go back to the shop and try on a RAcesafe one and then probably swap. Mine was so expensive that another £30 isn't going to make that much difference!
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What make do you have now (sorry if youve already stated previously in the thread).

ps Love your username being the proud owner of a blue wippet ;)
 
Yep, always. It could prevent or lessen any injuries I might sustain - why on earth would I not wear one?! It might make me a little warmer during my ride, or feel a little restrictive for the first 10 mins or so until it loosens up - if only broken bones or even bruises healed so fast!!
 
Yeaaahh! I always have done, always will :D Its just been drilled into me and i feel uncomfortable without one , like I'm not sitting up properly. I know that if I hadnt wore one all the time , I would have broken a lot of ribs by now. Even,when its sweltering and I'm melting into it , I wouldn't comtemplate taking it off. I guess I'm lucky that its nature :p
 
only when forced to through rules/regulations

ETA - i used to ahte wearing one - then got a racesafe and actually dont mind it at all :) far far better than the usual rigid ones that i felt claustrophobic in - at least i can breath in the RS :) still only wear it when i have to though lol
 
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I always wear one - until last friday where I'm exercising my wife's recovering lamanitic - walk only round sand school etc etc. I got a little complacent over the last week and stopped wearing it as it was getting a little warm and he was being such a good boy. You know where this is going...

several very very impressive rodeo catleaps and one very very sore left shoulder and hip and ribs to boot later, I'm always back in my BP. You just never ever know when it's all going to go pearshaped. Painful lesson learnt.
 
I don't wear it for hacking and schooling, but I always wear it for jumping. I don't find it particularly comfortable, but I have more confidence when I wear it jumping.
 
My little girl has hers on when ever she is around any Pony/Horse. even when mucking out she has it on as you never know when you may get knocked, kicked or trampled....
 
I got my first BP last autumn, as I am starting to jump again, but I wear it each time I ride now. It gives me more confidence, and I have too many responsibilities to be laid up with an injury that I could lessen by wearing it if I fell off. I have an airowear outlyne, which I find comfortable. I don't even notice I'm wearing it now, and it is just like putting my hat on - feel naked without it! Plus, it was a present so I feel obligated!! :-)
 
My OH bought me one when I was starting roadwork with the mare, but she has turned out to be bombproof, however I do wear it when I remember. It's always in the back of my car, but sometimes I just forget. But yes, I know I should always remember to wear it when hacking out. I would never wear it when flatwork schooling my own horses, although might if I was on an unknown horse.
 
I have one to hack. Everyone on my yard thought it was hilarious ('I' am the singular cob on a dressage yard of fancy WBs) until they saw how talented my little cob is at the 'stop dead, rear, bunch into nothing, then spin'. Touch wood (please) she rarely does it now but it doesn't make me any more confident about taking her out!
 
I have 2 which I currently don't wear - yes I know thats really bad but I feel so restricted when I'm wearing the damn thing I can't relax and enjoy my riding and this leads to other problems as my horse is quite a sharp DWB.
Have been toying with the idea of the Racesafe ones for a while now and after having read numerous threads in various forums extolling it, I just need to find somewhere here in The Netherlands who can fit one for me (and my daughter) properly.
What's the average price of these in the UK?
 
I'm in the process of backing our home bred filly, so bought one to wear when riding her. I did a bit of research (on here!) and decided that I liked the Kanteq. Tried the Champion Airowear - awful on me, my boobs just pushed it up so high that it pressed on my windpipe, various other types were discounted for other reasons, and yes I ended up with the Kanteq, which was luckily £75 off! I love it, yes it weighs 5Kg, but I spend all day lifting sacks of feed, so don't even notice the weight. It's snug but really well shaped for my curvy form, I can bend easily, it's not at all restrictive. I've worn it every time I've been in Ellie, thank God I haven't needed it yet!

My OH couldn't understand why I wanted one, he just couldn't see the point, until I stamped my feet and pointed out that as we're self employed, if I fall off and break something, we have to employ more staff/he has to work harder!

I don't wear it on my old boy, and TBH I don't think I ever will, yes I know accidents can happen at any time, but I'm more likely to get fired into the ground on the four year old than the 19 year old.
 
Bought 1 last year for a cross country rally (not allowed on the course without 1) used it again once this year, again for cross country, horse decided that he doesn't like cross country so probably won't be wearing it again, damn uncomfortable so don't wear it for every day riding
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
I had a fitting in a saddlery shop once; and know that I couldn't possibly wear one. It felt tight, hot and uncomfortable, and positively claustrophobic to be in for any length of time.

I felt I couldn't breathe properly in it, and couldn't get the damn thing off fast enough.

Am quite interested in the "Racesafe" ones people have been mentioning though.

IF there was something out there that was wearable, breatheable and comfortable (and affordable!): then happy hackers like me who don't do X-country or SJ would probably buy one, but I think the whole design of them needs looking at.
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Just wondering how many different makes you tried on. There are so many out there of both the zip and tabbard style in various widths and back lengths. that there should be one out there to fit you. I've done many fittings and have always found one to fit the customer.
 
micramadam said:
I have 2 which I currently don't wear - yes I know thats really bad but I feel so restricted when I'm wearing the damn thing I can't relax and enjoy my riding and this leads to other problems as my horse is quite a sharp DWB.
Have been toying with the idea of the Racesafe ones for a while now and after having read numerous threads in various forums extolling it, I just need to find somewhere here in The Netherlands who can fit one for me (and my daughter) properly.
What's the average price of these in the UK?
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I have a racesafe one - also used to have one of the "flak jacket" types before that and the difference is night and day. Highly recommended. Oh and I'm a happy hacker who thinks they are very expensive, but not as expensive or terminal as a broken back.
 
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