Gilet air jackets and coats

[smiggy]

Am thinking of upgrading my protection ( from zero ! ) to one of the gilet style air jackets . What do you do in winter though , put loose coat over top, no coat ? Anyone ?

 

[Britestar]

I had a gilet one and put it over a thinner jacket in the winter, then hiviz over the top when hacking.

I found it quite warm so it was never an issue.

 

[gallopingby]

I think you’d have to use a very loose coat over the top! HitAir vests, rather than gilets, sell extenders that can be clipped on in winter so you can wear as many coats as you want

 

[Nicnac]

I wear the Helite zip in air vest at all times. Often without the outer layer as it's warm.
Have loose coats over the top.
I recently had a bad fall which would have been much worse had I not been wearing the air vest.

 

[Skib]

OH had one, quite a substantial coat. However, I hack on a sharing yard where one is not allowed to attach oneself or anything else to the horse. I still wear an old fashioned airowear body protector

 

[GoldenWillow]

I have a hit air and put it over my jackets, adjusting it to the thickness of my jackets.

 

[gallopingby]

OH had one, quite a substantial coat. However, I hack on a sharing yard where one is not allowed to attach oneself or anything else to the horse. I still wear an old fashioned airowear body protector

That’s a little short sighted re air vests. Body protectors offer some protection but maybe not as much as you would think. Air vests were developed for use in many different activities were there is risk of a high impact fall.

 

[Skib]

Body protectors offer some protection but maybe not as much as you would think.

I am not an eventer. I was an older beginner and fell once a year for my first 10 years of riding. I record all my falls and my bp proved important. I never ride without it.

 

[MuddyMonster]

That’s a little short sighted re air vests. Body protectors offer some protection but maybe not as much as you would think. Air vests were developed for use in many different activities were there is risk of a high impact fall.

To be fair, I can see why an equestrian centre wouldn't want riders attaching an airvest as they do make quite a noise when they go off. They (the EC) then have to potentially deal with the repercussions of that - either for the rest of the group if out on a group ride or if that horse has become spooked, an upset horse that might worry more next time a rider falls etc.

I don't use an airvest and one of my reasons is I hack miles solo and I don't want my horse being anymore startled if I do happen to come off.