So whats wrong with wearing a body protector at the lower levels?

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yaddowshad

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Im writing this thread in response to Health and Safety gone mad.

I see absolutely no reason why body protectors shouldnt be used when ever you ride if you so choose to. Its personal choice as to the level of safety gear you want to wear and people shouldnt be made to feel bad for protecting themselves. Im sure the emergency services would agree when people are spooked off horses at halt or walk and end up with broken ribs.

It has nothing to do with health and safety so stop blaming it on that. People have a right to protect themselves especially as these protectors are endorsed by the BHS and prominant horse riders.

I think too many riders have become complacent with their safety these days.

Remember when Hi Vis came out, no cool rider was seen in it, now you are seen as a fool if you dont wear it on the roads.

I think to condem some one for choosing a safety product is absolutely ludicrous, and I hope those that condem dont end up on their backsides without a protector.
 
i agree, wel said :)

my horse is so far very quiet, but shes only 4, im taking no chances, i wear my BP everytime i ride - all will do at the shows too. my choice, im hurting no-one so i dont get the big deal!
 
I agree. Our bodies are so fragile really, so any protection should be classed as a good thing, no matter what level you ride at. :)
 
i don't see why anyone should dictate whether someone else should or should not wear one. personally, i would never wear one for competition (except XC obv.) but i might if i was training a skitty youngster at home. i admit i never wear one hacking or on the flat, though that's just me.

i don't mind people wearing their body protectors to compete, but personally, if they are doing dressage or anything then ideally the body protector should be under their jacket (purely for neatness) i see no need to have one over, and it looks untidy!
 
Already posted my throughts on it on the other thread.

I don't care if people choose not to wear them, I don't go round telling people they should, it's their choice, I don't think bad of them either, I don't even take any blooming notice to be honest of what others are wearing.

But to think someone was mocking me for choosing to wear one when I'm riding a specific horse....in a W&T might I add, I'd welcome them to jump on board and ride him..... minus a BP :D
 
There was no need to start a whole new thread about it, everything you have written has already been stated, it's personal choice at the end of the day- I wouldn't.
 
I have not read the other thread. I think if you want to wear a BP then do so. I have tried to wear one in the past and I find them too restricting. I mostly hack and some dressage/schooling and am an older (OK well older) rider.

Each to thier own.

Jane
 
Right when body proctectors first came out I was under the impression they were for XC in case your horse has a fall and comes down on top of you, thus preventing you from getting squashed.
I might be mistaken but I have always thought this!

I have fallen off twice and hurt myself, the first time I broke my elbow, the second time I broke my leg. Having a body protector on would not have prevented these injuries (I've fallen off more times than that but have never hurt myself!)
A friend of mine who wore a bp for jumping actually injured herself on hers as she fell and damaged all her stomach muscles, she was fine other that that and wouldn't have sustained any injury if she wasn't wearing it, in fact she doesn't wear it any more!

I have been riding for 28 years and worked professionally with horses for 13 years and I have never worn a body protector except for XC, I don't even own one and I borrow my friends when I need it.
I have backed several youngsters and often ride problem horses.

I can understand someone wearing one when sitting on a youngster or hacking it out for the first time, but they make you sit stiffly and I think you are more likely to fall off if you have one one, maybe because you think you can't injure yourself?

My ex boyfriend had a motorbike and one day bought some all in one leathers, after about a week he wouldn't wear them any more as he said they made him feel invincible and if he crashed he wouldn't get hurt so he was taking more and more risks.

I don't think wearing a body protector would make people feel like that but maybe they get an added confidence from wearing one. I don't know...
 
I always wear my body protector out hacking on my mare who is on the whole incredibly well behaved. Even when its really hot I shove it on, I don't see why one would not protect them self personally, but each to their own I suppose...
 
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I have been wearing one up to now because my horse throws bigs tantrums occassionally and if I'm on a rearing, bronking beast its nice to know that it will hurt a bit less if I fly off and hit the arena fence.

I was very glad to be wearing it the day that we got chased by a dog out a quiet hack. She bolted from sheer terror, I had a very nasty fall at speed and I'm fairly sure I'd have broken some ribs if I hadn't had it on.

That said, I'm now starting to school and compete without it on because I find my position much better without it.
 
I wear one :D

Each to their own :D

I have been known to wear a Mountain Horse jacket with 'padding' and a BP lol, just the once, but riding the Dizz, one just never knew :D. As it was, she was fine lol, maybe because I was relaxed because I'd taken precautions :D
 
Absolutly nothing wrong with it at all. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I think there is no need to think badly of someone (or their standard of riding) if they choose to wear a body protector. I am a squishy human so I'll take the protection of a bp myself!
 
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