Mountain Horse Bodyguard

[lara b]

Hi

After big hairy has been a bit on his toes recently I am considering buying on of these coats so would like anyones opinion. First what size is best, I am a size 10 ish and quite curvy up front so would the small be best do you think? Also any bargain places to buy them as they seem quite a lot?

 

[MrsMozart]

They're brilliant

I've had one for a couple of years and love it

When I came off and bashed my head, I must have hit the ground with some force and whilst I had a bleed on the brain I hit the ground so hard, where the jacket covered me there wasn't a bruise or an ouch

Very waterproof and windproof

The only time it hasn't given me all the protection I need was when I hit the ground a couple of weeks ago. I broke my back last year and the muscles aren't yet healed, so I should really have had a proper BP on, however it was better than bob all

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I like mine for very similar reasons to MrsM, when i was bucked off onto the road and hit my head, the only other mark was a bruise on my hip below the jacket. I've had mine for several years and the zip broke after about 12 months, I got no sense whatsoever from their customer services dept. I have finally managed to find a double ended zip of the right length but haven't yet got round to having it put in - I just fasten the coat with the elasticated inner belt-thingy and the studs, which seems to work just fine.

I do wish they would make one in hi-viz, as I have to put a vest and arm-bands over mine to remain as visible in winter as I am in summer, in my lightweight hi-viz top.

 

[lara b]

Thanks to you both, can I ask what sizes you got and if you thought they were generous? Also where you got them from?

 

[YorksG]

Hi I am a size 10/12 and have a medium. I tend to only wear mine in winter and there is room for a lot of layers under it, as even though it is wind and water proof it isn' t that warm. I can get mine over wool waistcoat and hacking jacket (did for recent horsemans carol service, as it was persisting it down!). So far have never had need of it for its fall breaking properties, but know others who have found it invaluable for these

 

[lara b]

Right looks like a medium then! Thanks

 

[Vodkagirly]

I've got one and love it. Bought it off a friend as it was too big for her. Its a medium and she is a 10 and it swamped her, it fits me (12-14) but would go for the small if I was buying another. It fits a size 16 friend perfectly.
Decent quality jacket and while I don't think it has enought protection for jumping, its certainly better than nothing for hacking/schooling. Haven't tested it yet though

 

[MrsHutt]

Just reading you post and wondering about the Bodyguard. I looked it up and it occurred to me that it was rather like my OH's motorbike jacket. He has top of the range, ultimate protection gear with very similar protective panels - in HI VIZ. I am unsure what the criteria/standards are, but I bet you have to have more protection on a bike??

A very quick look on Ebay found this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PINKY-Lad...le_Clothing&hash=item2a108ee926#ht_2096wt_660

I think it looks really nice! I will look further for hi-viz (OH currently researching if the criteria are very much different). But as other poster said, anything must be better than nothing!!

 

[moana]

I asked about this on here not so long ago, but got virtually no response. It is good to now hear some positive feedback, and may may look again into buying one.

 

[lara b]

Maybe a small would be better then...
I also wondered about a motor bike jacket, but wasn't sure what they are like for movement and padding?? Be interested to hear from anyone who has one, that pink one looks nice!

 

[MrsHutt]

I can't find anything that says you shouldn't wear a bike jacket on a horse! I think the main difference would be the outer material - it tends to be gravel-proof (so nice high den & protective). Many have removable thermal linings and are waterproof and windproof. As far as being able to move, I would imagine they are a bit more restrictive (looking at OH's jackets, they are a bit 'stiff') - but I think it is worth investigating. This one looks like a bargain!


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Visio-Lad...othing&var=&hash=item721884863b#ht_2644wt_753

 

[MrsMozart]

I find my motorbike gear more restrictive and heavier than my Mountain Horse body armour jacket. The protection is no doubt better as its designed to protect the wearer from high speed impacts with roads/vehicles/etc.

 

[MrsHutt]

I find my motorbike gear more restrictive and heavier than my Mountain Horse body armour jacket. The protection is no doubt better as its designed to protect the wearer from high speed impacts with roads/vehicles/etc.

Would you say it was too restrictive/heavy? Or do you think it would actually do the job for a happy hacker?

 

[rojeth]

I made my own from my old Rodney Powell Back protector, a £20 high viz bomber jacket, a set of 99p elbow pads on ebay and a £5 set of RP shoulder pads.

 

[MrsMozart]

Would you say it was too restrictive/heavy? Or do you think it would actually do the job for a happy hacker?

Yes. Well, I wouldn't fancy it and I'm very into protective gear .

Why don't you go to a bike shop and try some of the jackets on?

 

[lara b]

Rojeth, that is very clever! must get more handy..