Do you wear a body protector when out hacking?

[Booboos]

Thought most of you would miss the point. Of course I fall off as much as anyone else,(possibly more)But I dont kid myself that a body protector will achieve much . If anything ,they give people a false sense of security. Rather like when they started fitting ABS to cars, surely better anti skid braking must make driving safer. Well NO! people just took greater risks. There was absolutely no improvement .And Cobrastyle ,if I fall off I know damn well that I have faild to do somthing correctly. So yes it is a failure of riding skills. What do you do? Just land in a heap in your BP and wonder how that happend?

I doubt that extends to riding: Safety features in cars make people more confident so they are more likely to take risks such as speeding because they expect the car to compensate. If safety features make riders more confident then they become better riders and less of the kind of 'passengers' you worry about. I don't think anyone who wears a BP thinks it improves their riding skills so that they are less likely to fall off, rather they may feel less worried about the effects of falling off which would make them less worried about falling off and therefore more likely to be active in their riding.

 

[LowenKi]

Mike007 read this post: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=537810

 

[Ridingondreams]

I always wear mine! I don't think it gives you a false sense of security - that's like saying your riding hat just makes you more reckless! Anyway, I have mild scoliosis (I'm dyslexic, can't spell ) and I have to be EXTRASUPERSPECIALLY careful with my back. Just sayin'. I also have to wear a hi-viz, we have to wear them at our yard, and we have to wear a hat when we're catching horses/in the field.

I'd wear it. Hope your back feels better

 

[Mike007]

Mike007 read this post: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=537810

The question is whether this rider should have been on this horse in these circumstances in the first place. Not long ago ,I saw a rider hack out from a nearby stables with her friend and on her friends new horse. I was surprised as I considered the rider ,a plod round the park type ,at best.Said rider was a great one for wearing her BP . Well the ride resulted in Intensive care for the rider and a gun for the horse. The doctors trotted out the same old line, dead but for her BP,how lucky! If this person had recieved a few minor falls and felt the consequences perhaps she wouldnt have been so bloody stupid as to get on a horse she had absolutely no idea of how to ride.

 

[Booboos]

How would not wearing a BP ensure such a rider received a few minor falls????

 

[all about Romeo]

I never wear one as I find it interferes with my riding too much, I cant sit as deep with a body protector on so I feel much more vulnerable.

 

[Strathmore Talloway]

Nope. If I thought I was going to need a BP out hacking I would give up hacking.

In my opinion no horse is 100% Bombproof and ANYTHING can spook a horse no matter how old/sane/sensible/safe a horse may be. I think its better to be safe than sorry but maybe that's just me. I know far too many people that have gone out and either been killed or broken spines etc on horses that they didnt think it was necessary to wear one.

 

[marmalade76]

In my opinion no horse is 100% Bombproof and ANYTHING can spook a horse no matter how old/sane/sensible/safe a horse may be. I think its better to be safe than sorry but maybe that's just me. I know far too many people that have gone out and either been killed or broken spines etc on horses that they didnt think it was necessary to wear one.

What makes you think my horses have been non-spooky/old/sane /sensible? Most have been quite sharp and spooky.

Like I said above, this is probably why I don't come off very often, a sharp spooky horse teaches you to sit tight!

 

[smiggy]

The question is whether this rider should have been on this horse in these circumstances in the first place. Not long ago ,I saw a rider hack out from a nearby stables with her friend and on her friends new horse. I was surprised as I considered the rider ,a plod round the park type ,at best.Said rider was a great one for wearing her BP . Well the ride resulted in Intensive care for the rider and a gun for the horse. The doctors trotted out the same old line, dead but for her BP,how lucky! If this person had recieved a few minor falls and felt the consequences perhaps she wouldnt have been so bloody stupid as to get on a horse she had absolutely no idea of how to ride.

Umm what circumstances would they be?
Experienced rider ridden for many years riding a pony whose history was known, in company with a safe escort. What exactly could have been done differently here.
This person is a friend and the most sensible person you could meet, no preventable risks were taken here!

 

[PingPongPony]

i'm really confused here... those of you that are saying that you don't wear one, some of you said that the body protectors have been designed with racing, xc etc in mind, presumably to reduce the injury if one was to occur or cushion the fall by spreading the impact equally therefore reducing injury as a lot of pressure put on one point is more likely to result in that area being injured more than if the pressure was spread across a bigger surface area therefore reducing the pressure per cm2 on the body, less pressure resulting in smaller degree of injury surely. SO if the body protectors are a safety measure for the high speed, dangerous disciplines in horse riding then surely they will also work in less dangerous discipline? because the principle of pressure per cm2 on the body stays the same whatever the speed, risk etc.
for example, when you walk across ice, all your weight is spread across two small points (your feet), therefore putting more pressure on the ice at those two points. the advice given is to lie down on the ice if it starts cracking because it will spread your weight across a bigger surface area therefore putting less pressure on the ice per cm2, the weight doesn't change but the pressure exerted per cm2 decreases therefore you are more likely not to crack the ice further and fall in.
what i'm trying to say is that is a bp can reduce the pressure exerted on cm2 on the body at high speeds then they will do the same at walk of ever halt. THATS what they're designed to do. i haven't seen a bp label or description that says ''to be used xc, racing or at fast speeds and jumping only''. so saying that a bp WILL not help lessen the injury in case of a fall is simply untrue because the simple science behind it says differently, it will spread the pressure therefore put less pressure on a certain point. of course the degree of injury will depend on how much overall pressure is put on the body, even when spread equally it may be too much for the body to handle without injury in which case the person will still sustain injury however, the injury would not be as severe to the whole area as if it would be at the point where it was applied, hence say knifes are thin and pointy not a square block, because the pressure you but on the knife will be focused on the one point which in result will pierce whatever you want to cut, if you tried to cut the thing with the side of the knife, if you put on the same amount of pressure, the knife will not cut because the pressure per cm2 is smaller.
am i right?
i'll shut up now

 

[thatsmygirl]

I think some off you need a nasty fall to get some sence.
I NEVER ever used a back protector until I fell and broke my back and I'm left with back problems to the point off actually thinking off giving my horses up. It was the impact off the road that messed me up and a back protector would off taken a lot off the impact. Never ever ride without one now and iv learnt the hard way and left with daily pain.

 

[zenasman]

I had just got to the point when I figured that I could ride safely without the BP, because my young mare behaves very well these days, so why not go without in this nice hot weather? Then last Saturday I tried out a brand new girth with a revolutionary design, recommended by somebody on this forum. I mounted up, the horse took one step then shot forward doing a spectacular bucking bronco display. I was unseated of course. Fortunately, I was wearing the BP. My ribs are still aching but I'm sure the damage would have been worse without the BP. So I'm sticking with the BP (and reverting to previous girth).

 

[thatsmygirl]

I rode problem horses/horses with issues as this was my job and am well known for my sitting power. The day off my accident, I was out hacking and the accident happened so quickly I really don't know what happened but I went down on my back like a sack off ****. I couldn't control how I fell as it happen so quick, iv never fallen like that before.
If a body protector fits properly they are not uncomfy and I don't know I'm wearing mine so don't get any false sence from wearing it.
Haven't read all the posts on here but boy some people talk crap

 

[Moomin1]

To those people who go on about how wonderful they are at never falling off because they have always had sharp and spooky horses, well so have I!! That does not make me for one minute think I am in any less danger from falling off - yes it may make you have more stickability in certain situations, but no it doesn't mean you aren't going to fall off at some point and land on something which will bust your ribs/spine/damage internal organs.

 

[Mariposa]

Well I don't wear a BP in polo, I don't know anyone who does - I guess because of the restrictive movement? To be honest I'd never really thought about it. However when I got on the ponies in the beginning of the season I hunted down my old one for peace of mind, you never know what might happen! ( as it happens they did all act like idiots!)

I think wearing a BP is up to the individual, and no one has a right to impose their opinion. Just like people who don't wear hats when riding - -whilst I personally think they are bonkers I guess its their choice?

 

[marmalade76]

To those people who go on about how wonderful they are at never falling off because they have always had sharp and spooky horses, well so have I!! That does not make me for one minute think I am in any less danger from falling off - yes it may make you have more stickability in certain situations, but no it doesn't mean you aren't going to fall off at some point and land on something which will bust your ribs/spine/damage internal organs.

I'll take me chances, ta x

 

[AprilBlossom]

I've never had particularly sharp or spooky horses but I don't wear a BP...I don't have one to wear, and my budget Is not high for stuff for me - therefore I prioritise a good quality hat instead as I'd rather keep my swede in tact over my back, if I HAD to choose.

Another one here though who in my entire lifetime of falls has been winded once, a bit sore a few times but anything more serious and it's been to my arms or hands, that must be where my centre of gravity is as I always land on them!!

I don't care what other people choose to wear or not wear, or why...and I don't see why a stranger over the internet should be concerned what I do if I'm honest.

 

[marmalade76]

I don't care what other people choose to wear or not wear, or why...and I don't see why a stranger over the internet should be concerned what I do if I'm honest.

Quite.

 

[Moomin1]

Quite.

Why bother reading the thread then?

 

[benson21]

Some on here dont seem to get the idea that its not always the horses spooking etc that causes falls.
In our accident, benson was, as always, good as gold. Hadnt put a foot wrong. Ears pricked forward heading home for his dinner.
It was the maniac driver that caused my injuries after hitting us. And no, I wasnt wwearing a BP, something I will regret every day as I am in constant pain from a broken back, and on morphine for the forseeable future. I am not saying a BP would of illiminated all of my injuries, but maybe they wouldnt have been quite so disabling.

 

[monkeybum13]

I don't care what other people choose to wear or not wear, or why...and I don't see why a stranger over the internet should be concerned what I do if I'm honest.

I said this in an earlier post before all the post basically saying if you wear a BP you are a poor rider which imo is uncalled for. If you want to wear on, fine. If you don't want to wear one, fine. No need for people to make sarky comments about it!

 

[Mypinkpony]

I actually don't even own one i always had one as a kid and TBH they were so uncomfortable it put me off for life but i would like to get one as my horse has had me off a few times and i would like to start doing XC with him. What would everyone say is the most comfortable one about...presumming they have got better in the last 15 years?

 

[LouiseG]

Up until the past few weeks I didn't wear a body protector but since I have just bought a youngster I thought it was probably the time to start! I bought one of the Kan Teq body protectors, however stupidly last week I decided not to wear it and whilst walking around the indoor school in walk my horse spooked at a pigeon and bronked round the school throwing me head first followed by the side of me body slamming at high speed into the side of the school. Although a body protector wouldn't have protected my knee and elbow which took a right bashing, it would certainly have protected my ribs and back which are still very painful. So since last week I have been wearing it at all times... just in case! I dont expect to fall off every time I ride, but it's when you're least expecting it that it happens, I did not expect to come off last week so it was a harsh reminder of what can happen!

The Kan Teq body protectors are brilliant. It really is so comfortable. Takes a couple of rides to get used to it and mould to your shape, but I can honestly say I dont even realise I'm wearing it now, it doesn't dig in or restrict any movement whatsoever and is not at all bulky or body protector-ish! It is fitted perfectly for my body and I would highly recommend it. Haven't had a fall in it (touch wood!!!!!) and I hope not to, but it just gives me a bit more protection should I need it. It's expensive, but is much more cost effective than the cheaper ones that need replacing after bad falls etc. So Kan Teq all the way!

 

[AprilBlossom]

Monkeybum - no sarkiness intended just a statement I couldn't really word any other way! Will gracefully (ha) bow out of this thread now.