It's my own back, and if i want to break it i shall..

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MissDeMeena

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This new rule coming into force in the next 6 months, that all stable staff in racing yards have to wear bodyprotectors!!!
It's really annoying me to the point of writing in and saying so!
What do you all think!??
 
NO! I don't see why, its just as risky to break youngsters or even going for a gallop with friends.
Please don't tell me they will make eventers wear them when exercising?

How would they inforce it?
 
I was reading that the rules are for only level 1 protection which is nothing really. I can see the point though as I am sure there are so many inexperienced people who cannot ride to the standard that you can and put on something for the sake of it. I think its to protect the yard from health and safety bureacuracy and insurance as riding horses is risky and guess they need to minimise it.
 
yes Lec, i totally see that point, but this is a black and white rule! we will have to wear them, full stop!
While riding a donkey up the gallops, i'll be happy to wear one.. but while riding something that's sharp, and likely to whip round in a flash, or try and buck me off, or do anything quickly, i don't want a body protector getting in my way!!
I can happily ride XC in mine, but there's no way i'd want to ride a breaker/sharp horse/be riding out in it!!!!!
 
Before long they will have everybody riding in a Michelin man suits.
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Level 1 Body protectors are rubbish anyway so thin and light. I hate my Body Protector and again only use it for XC but I think its down to Health and Safety. Maybe as you are self employed you could maybe sign a disclaimer? Do not see it as the same as being employed by the trainer?
 
IMO people who work in the horse industry should be capable of making their own decisions regarding safety by asessing their own riding- being made to wear it is a little out of order.
 
But how many people end up being pushed into something that is perhaps beyond their capabilities? My sister was a work rider for Alan King she did not lift a finger on the yard as they cannot find enough decent people to ride out. I think its a hard one - it only takes one person to fall off and break their back for health and safety to come clamping down on everyone and imposing ridiculous rules. I guess they want to get in their first. I am all for free choice but I can understand why they are getting their knickers in a twist about it.
 
No! I don't always feel comfortable in my body protector and if you're not comfortable then you won't be riding to you best therefore more likely to fall!
 
The thing is it may well be your back, and you are of course totally entitled to break it, but with insurance premiums going through the roof and the NHS on the verge of meltdown, would you really want to spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair with potentially no decent medical/therapeutic care? These rules are put in place for a reason - it may not be a good one in your eyes, but if it does save someone from a serious injury then it is probably a good idea. BPs are really not that bad once they mould to you.
 
I can see your point and it should be up to the individual what they do and what risks they take in their own time or on their own horse etc. If you are working for them though they have a duty to minimise risks to their employees. IMO it is no different to having to wear a lab coat at all times in the lab. I don't think it is always necessary in in summer it can be hot and uncomfortable but it is one of those things and is there to protect the employer as much as the employee.
 
I see you point re. comfort and rider choice, but there is obviously some safety concern behind it (as well as risk of litigation).

I think is one of those things - bit like seat belts -you'll just get used to it
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How about offering a disclaimer, sign this, and if you fall off and kill yourself, it's not your employers fault!
What a low level BP is going to do to save you tho i don't know!!
 
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The thing is it may well be your back, and you are of course totally entitled to break it, but with insurance premiums going through the roof and the NHS on the verge of meltdown, would you really want to spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair with potentially no decent medical/therapeutic care? These rules are put in place for a reason - it may not be a good one in your eyes, but if it does save someone from a serious injury then it is probably a good idea. BPs are really not that bad once they mould to you.

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I have to agree.
 
[ QUOTE ]
How about offering a disclaimer, sign this, and if you fall off and kill yourself, it's not your employers fault!
What a low level BP is going to do to save you tho i don't know!!

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I'd much prefer that if I worked in a racing yard. Completely agree with you Mdm, they are a real hindrance when riding something that moves like lightening!
 
[ QUOTE ]
How about offering a disclaimer, sign this, and if you fall off and kill yourself, it's not your employers fault!
What a low level BP is going to do to save you tho i don't know!!

[/ QUOTE ]

My dad is looking into that one. Will let you know how he gets on.
 
the amount of times i have seen horses turn sharp and the rider has carried on going forward because they just can't move with the horse in a body protector is silly everytime i used to wear a body protector i used to fall off now i just take the chance i feel safer without one!!! as well a few years ago there was a big thing about if you land funny wearing a body protector you could do more damage to yourself then if you didn't wear one
 
The level 1 race safe body protectors are nothing like the stiff level 3s everyone wears for xc.

As others have said the NHS is on meltdown and insurance is through the roof due to people sueing for breaking fingernails.

I am afraid that the jockey club will enforce this and fine the trainers heavily if staff whether self employed or employed.
 
disclaimers arnt worth the paper they are written on. Personaly i would wear one if the rule came in and i was racing (i dont and never have or will). It is law that you have to wear a seat belt, when that law came in there were similar protests, you'll get used to it.
 
this really has to do with employment law ,an employer has a duty of care towards his employees ,if say someone was injured and that could have been avoided if the correct safty gear had been worn then he could be prosicuted ,so its to protect the employer and the jockey ,inthe same way safty head gear has to be worn on a constuction sites .annoying to some but employers have to protect their backs too so to speak.
 
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