The return of the back protector debate!

[Skib]

know the right size that it is ok to buy second hand on ebay

Depends on the age. The foam is said to deteriorate, with a 5 year limit so there should be a date of manufacture. I replace my bp every 4 years and always buy new.
I feel the manufacturers should provide replacement foam panels without one needing to replace the whole thing. But maybe the zips could also wear out
Air vests can malfunction so one usually needs to wear a bp as well. That is why I dont wear the air vest

 

[WestCoast]

I rode in a kanteq for years but it was getting on a bit so I bought a racesafe provent 3 and was gobsmacked by how light and cool it is. I’ve got a hitair air vest as well which is the lightest and I think best of the air vests.

It’s frustrating, but with 60 arriving over the horizon at speed I don’t want to get broken if I can avoid it. A body protector and air vest is the difference between been sore for days and jumping up and straight back on and not feeling it the next day for a straightforwards fall.

 

[pistolpete]

I’m the most indecisive person on the planet! Back to wondering about an air jacket again!

 

[Skib]

but with 60 arriving over the horizon at speed I don’t want to get broken

You poor people who rode as young women. I didnt start till I was 60. Then I fell off about once a year for the first 10 years of hacking but was never seriously hurt. Was always in a bp.
Riding after 60 will depend on your health. A friend with whom I rode had fragile bones and had to give up. But otherwise 80 feels very like 60s only better because you have tucked away all that riding experience.
I think I have posted before that horses behave differently with different riders. Both my long term shares have been lovely with me even though they behaved badly with other younger riders, bucking them off. A wandering rider on a soft seat and a longish rein is probably safe as the trusty steed has little to object to.

 

[scats]

I have a racesafe for fast stuff. I also have a champion sculpt for walking hacks.

 

[SO1]

I wore mine yesterday on walk hack on Bert. It was actually not that uncomfortable but my main issue with it is getting off is quite difficult as it sort of gets stuck on the way down and I am not massively agile.

I do still think it is too long in the back and it is adult small size and level 3. It is definitely over 5 years old and probably over 10 years old.

 

[Skib]

with it is getting off is quite difficult

I think that is true.
For safety reasons I have always used the cavalry dismount which was taught me at my very first riding lesson at a BHS school. The Cavalry dismount using the left stirrup and swing their right leg over, to prevent damaging their metal breast plates. Obviously the cavalry drop down clear of the horse. But with me it it usually more of a slither.
My bp can ride up as I slither down, but with my hands on the saddle I instinctively allow a little clearance.
Strictly speaking, one should have someone hold the horse if one dismounts this way. YM is also ready to grab the empty stirrup in case the saddle slips. But both I and the mare are now so used to this procedure that this week with no member of staff in sight, I dismounted in the sand school with OH holding the mare.
On my old share I did twice have to dismount without anyone holding the horse, but it is a matter of judgement. I did it only because I needed to get off for safety reasons and was riding a horse whom I had dismounted this way for several years and who was familiar with the routine.

I have begged YM to let me try getting off the conventional way but she wont let me. I have dismounted safely cavalry fashion for 24 years and seriously recommend it to other older riders..

 

[Nemo19]

I always find them too long and end up cutting the bottom section away. I imagine that somewhat defies the purpose.

 

[Skib]

find them too long and end up cutting the bottom section away. I imagine that somewhat defies the purpose.

You should really buy the shorter size in the first place.
As for defeating the purpose, the need to clear the saddle including in rising trot, means the bps were always short at the back, leaving the lower spine unprotected. That is why air jackets came in. The air jacket fabric at the lower spine is tucked away until it actually inflates in a fall.

However, being optimistic, I have a plump bottom and my lower spine has not yet been injured in a fall. The thickness of the bp means that the impact is usually taken by the part of ones back covered by the bp. And I always took care to kick my feet up in the air as I fell, in order to free them from the stirrups. Doing this means oone tends to land on ones upper back and the bp makes it feel like a mattress.

I never broke my collar bone or arms in a fall as I always clung onto the reins as I fell. I really hate posting this as my first RI forecast I would kill myself hacking and for years I would think of this each time I set out.

 

[Orangehorse]

I only used a BP in competitions, but now I am riding someone else's horse and I am older I dug out my old Caldene BP which met all the regulations when purchased. It is probably well passed its use by date, but it has upper arm and shoulder protection and I think it would be better than nothing and I am only doing walk and trot. However, if I do get another one I think it will be a racesafe as for hacking they seem to be the most comfortable.

 

[Skib]

You need the brand that fits you . Race safe dont fit me