Safety riding gear - what do you regularly use?

[The Xmas Furry]

Been having a discussion with a friend today about safety clothing etc.
I wear my BP each time I ride, she uses hers just for xc, because she has to. I pointed out the last 2 falls she has had have been out hacking, including cracking a rib at easter.

Poll coming up for various equipment.... I'm not including hi vis, not everyone hacks daily and most wouldn't wear in an arena, why would they?

Multi vote so tick as many as required.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I always wear long riding boots and can't ride without gloves it feels weird

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I always wear long riding boots and can't ride without gloves it feels weird

Are you me?

Actually, I've gone back into short boots and half chaps the last 3 weeks, havent worn them for yrs!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I hate wearing gloves whether I’m riding or not, so I only wear gloves when it’s so cold that I’m forced to!

ETA I don’t count riding gloves as safety gear , they are personal preference IMHO. IME they interfere with the feeling down the reins.

Handling horses on the ground is another matter, gloves come into their own then especially when lunging or loading, or turning horses in/out.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I forgot to put my gloves on for my lesson today, it was weird but sort of helpful to be more aware of my hands.

Body protector for hacking and jumping only. Long boots after years of short boots and gaiters

 

[Bobthecob15]

Air jacket could be on your list too!

 

[94lunagem]

I don’t have my ridden boys anymore but when I was riding it was hat, gloves, long boots.

Even now I wear gloves 99% of the time whether it’s doing yard jobs or dealing with the horses. Probably the only time I don’t is when bathing.

 

[muddybay]

I always wear my helite airjacket - if I'm hacking I'll wear a hard body protector instead

 

[pistolpete]

Not wearing gloves is fine as long as it’s not cold. Never thought of them as safety gear! Good point. Currently seriously considering a BP as getting old and can’t be faffed with an air jacket!

 

[Dave's Mam]

All of the options.
Feels weird without gloves. Long boots or short boots / chaps dependant on weather.
Always wear my Point2 now.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Don't ride anymore but would wear my BP every ride, and obviously a hat

 

[MereChristmas]

Not completed, sorry as no air jacket listed.

Hat and air jacket always. BP as well on the rare occasions I go XC.
Long boots at the moment but previously I’ve had short boots and half chaps for exercise / hacking
I always wear gloves but that’s my preference. I’d not thought of them as a safety issue.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Air jacket now added, apologies for not including to start with.

I do ride with gloves, having ridden many new starters and retrainers, I tend to hang on if I got parked. I've seen the state of hands when not letting go, just like lunge burn etc.

 

[Equi]

Since I lost weight and found riding boots that fit I’m nevvvvver taking them off! Always have worn a hat. I don’t think I could get on without a hat I’m fairly new to gloves but found some that are super light and thin so they come too.

 

[Jambarissa]

I bought a body protector a few years ago after my horse fell whilst hacking and landed on me - I was wearing an air jacket but was still in the saddle so it didn't go off.

I regularly think about not wearing it or swapping it for a back protector instead but then why not just wear it? I don't really notice it once it's warmed up.

On hi viz, I went on a pleasure ride with a friend recently. Beautiful scenery, we took loads of photos. Hers are gorgeous. All you can notice in mine is the ton of hi viz and the bulk of the BP, kind of depressing.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Hat, air-jacket and short boots with gaiters. I rarely wear gloves now because I’m always using my smart phone to take pictures which is a lot easier without gloves. My old boy could be strong so I used them more then. Only miss them now when my hands get sweaty and the grip isn’t as good.

 

[Mrs B]

Hi-vis.

I never hack out without a hi-vis waistcoat.

I am very fortunate in that I don't have to ride on roads if I don't wish to, but I'd rather other riders/dog walkers/forestry workers saw me in good time.

And if I do an unscheduled dismount on the forest tracks, chances are someone will see me from the air far more quickly.

 

[Boughtabay]

I voted for gloves because I always wear them when I’m doing anything in hand … but then I realised I hate wearing them to ride

I wore my BP most rides when I backed my current horse and his first summer under saddle but I haven’t this year and my riding has improved a lot as a result I find them very restrictive… I have stopped riding on the road as well though so chance of landing on rock solid ground are much less these days … yes I’ve just jinxed myself!

 

[catkin]

I hate gloves but need them for grip now my fingers are a bit rheumaticky.
I am hard on footwear so now my last pair of long boots have departed I use paddock boots and leather halfchaps (which actually look fairly smart from a distance).
Hat wise, usually a lightweight Uvex or skullcap with silk.

Always hi-vis if going out - leg bands for pony, waistcoat for me, hiviz ribbons tied to end of schooling whip (which appears to be the thing that catches most attention with drivers on our lanes.

A couple of other items I would add to the list:
Full-seat breeches if on leather-seated saddle and safety stirrups on said saddle.

And always always always a top that covers shoulders/top of arms - you only fall into a nettle/bramble patch with a strappy top once!!!!!!!

 

[southerncomfort]

I wear an air jacket for hacking.

Never used to bother in the school, but just started teaching Bo to jump so bought myself a Racesafe Provent 3, which is really comfortable.

I can't ride without gloves as I get blisters between my fingers!

I prefer long boots but have short skinny legs and struggle to find any that fit properly.

At the moment I'm riding in my walking boots (recovering from foot injury) and half chaps.

 

[Snowfilly]

Always a hat, normally jodh boots unless I’m showing when the long boots come out, or I’m bareback in which case its trainers.

I always always wear hi-viz if I venture outside the gate.

 

[canteron]

Please can someone explain why long boots are safer than short - I always thought it was so the stirrup leathers don’t pinch!

 

[SEL]

I only started riding in gloves when I got badly arthritic joints but now it feels odd without them

I don't ride the microcob in a body protector but after the past few weeks with Baby cob's antics it's a must on him.

 

[Cloball]

Always wear gloves feels weird without them I think it's the half rubber reins I have but I haven't got tenosynovitis in my hands in ages so maybe it helps

 

[Snowfilly]

Please can someone explain why long boots are safer than short - I always thought it was so the stirrup leathers don’t pinch!

Safer for hacking when there’s wire / brambles / whatever around, and supposedly safer in the event of a fall too as they keep the leg straighter.

Not that I wear them!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Are you me?

Actually, I've gone back into short boots and half chaps the last 3 weeks, havent worn them for yrs!

I used to wear chaps and short boots but I have an ankle full of metal and alot short boots have seems that sit on it.

 

[KatieDM]

Air jacket now added, apologies for not including to start with.

I do ride with gloves, having ridden many new starters and retrainers, I tend to hang on if I got parked. I've seen the state of hands when not letting go, just like lunge burn etc.

Attempted to school a 4yo recently and ended up with a friction burn inside my right ring finger. The mare and foal in the field next to the arena didn’t help matters…

 

[SpeedyPony]

Hat and short boots everyday, long boots if we need to be tidy. Gloves for tidy as well, but I don't really like the feeling of them day to day.
No body protector, as I've never been able to find one that wasn't hideously restrictive and hot and no air jacket because I don't have that kind of money!

 

[feesh]

Hat and boots with heel always, either long or short with half chaps.

Gloves almost always when riding, unless a very hot day on a casual walk-only hack on my friend's very safe horses (I'd still probably carry gloves, though). Also almost always when doing groundwork/leading work, but not if just turning out, although I suppose I do on the rare occasions I'm turning out/leading a less placid horse. All the paddocks here are contained/connected except one, and the two horses in that one could be reliably led with a rope around the neck of just one of them (we don't, but in a pinch it would work).

A very elderly hand-me-down body protector (Tipperary, I think?) when I'm riding my unpredictable guys at my home barn. Never otherwise, though I might if I ever do jumping lessons or faster hacking - this is the first time I've had one. I'd love to have a newer one or an air jacket, but both are out of my budget.

 

[Caol Ila]

Well, I'm a minimalist.

Hi-viz for hacking, always. Helmet, always. Do I rid in Muck boots? Yes, yes, I do. I hate riding in gloves unless it's baltic.