Wearing body protector when riding

F

Freya28

Member
Joined
31 December 2019
Messages
20
Visit site
I am 16 years old, have been riding about 7 years. I had weekly lessons at a riding school until last August when I moved onto loaning a horse instead. I currently ride a 14.3h 24yo schoolmaster. He's incredibly safe, never puts a foot wrong, however he is rather strong and whizzy. My parents have me wear a body protector everytime I ride, however I feel I can control the horse better without it on, as, when wearing my body protector, I cannot hold the correct position in the saddle, which makes using my seat to slow him down much more difficult. I have jumped and schooled him without wearing one multiple times and it has gone much more smoothly as I could use my seat correctly and my position is much more stable without wearing one. The schools we ride in are all either sand or rubber. I have been trying to persuade my parents to allow me to school without one as I believe in this case it would be safer without one on. My parents main worry is falling off underneath the horse and getting stood on. What's everyone else's opinions on body protectors?
 
I think it's a sensible idea to wear one every time you ride. You never know what can happen, and it doesn't matter what surface you are on or what you are doing...accidents happen.
Having said that, I don't think a body protector should hinder your riding like you are saying it is. Was it fitted professionally?
An alternative idea would be to get an airjacket. They are expensive, but might be more confortable for you
 
It sounds like your body protector doesn’t fit you very well. I totally understand your parents' opinion and if they are paying for you to ride then I think you need to respect their wishes and try to find one that you feel more comfortable in- it shouldn’t affect how you ride at all.
 
i always wear one schooling and jumping apart from dressage comps. however, I don't like air jackets, because a friend of mine had a horrible horrible unnecessary accident in one where she didn't even fall off. i would recommend getting another one fitted, because a well fitting body protector should fit you like a glove x
 
Your parents have the natural instinct of all parents to do their best to ensure you are as safe as possible. I ride in my BP a lot more now than I used to, and it has lessened the results of some nasty falls (can you tell I have replaced more than one?).

However, if it's hindering your position it does not fit you properly, so please ask your parents to take you to a shop where they stock a range of makes so that you can have one properly fitted for you.
 
From about 14-25ish I always wore one to ride. I moved away from doing so when I had had my own a significant amount of time so knew the likely risks and it was not helping my core/giving me neck pain.
 
I used to have an airowear BP but I didn't ride well in it. I continued to wear it until I found an alternative. I've got a much more old fashioned, bigger, bulkier BP which on the face of it, shouldn't be a good fit, but I don't even notice it when riding.

Save up for a different BP. Until then, keep wearing your current one or don't ride.
 
I wear a bp when I ride my younger horse as feel safer. I bought an air jacket as I feel for schooling I am big less flexible when wearing bp. I have taken to riding My older horse with air jacket since lock down and will use with my younger horse when I can fully trust her
 
As someone else has said, it shouldn’t interfere with your seat. My Racesafe was fitted in the shop by a trained assistant, I sat on a saddle to check it didn’t catch on the back, it’s really good and I forget I’m wearing it.
 
I have a race safe and wear it every single time I ride, just like hat, gloves and boots etc. It fits v well and I forget I'm wearing it.
Nobody knows when they are going to get tipped off by accident of tripping or horse napping etc.
Currently the ground is so hard, I'll take precautions for my health, as if I'm too bashed then it's going to be awkward getting yard cover.
OP, chat with your parents, see if you are in the most suitable body protector.
 
Having hurt my back from a really silly fall I tend to wear one more often than not (it wasn't even a hard fall, just hit the ground awkwardly). Mine doesn't interfere with my riding at all so if yours is, then it doesn't fit you properly.
 
If you feel that your body protector is in the way when you ride, it doesn’t fit you like it should. That can actually also be a problem. So you should definitely talk to your parents about getting one that fits you properly. Komperdell should be good.

Where I live it’s actually mandatory for children under 18 to wear a body protector for jumping/cross country and in many riding schools they’ve expanded this to all riding when you’re under 18.
 
Myloubylou said:
I wear a bp when I ride my younger horse as feel safer. I bought an air jacket as I feel for schooling I am big less flexible when wearing bp. I have taken to riding My older horse with air jacket since lock down and will use with my younger horse when I can fully trust her
Click to expand...
Can I ask where you purchased your AirJacket from? We've always bought body protectors purely out of "does it cover my ribs" and "is it not a silly expensive price" which is probably why none of my body protectors have been the best fitting. And AirJacket does seem much more comfortable however (if I'm willing to pay that much)
 
I wear one everytime I ride as well, it used to be a parental request and its stuck as I'm now 30. I treat it like a hat you wouldn't get on without your hat

My D is fairly spooky while he doesnt buck or rear you can never tell what will happen and any horse can trip

It's also the elements you cant control I was strolling back from a hack at the weekend and a dog rushed out a property and ran after him, H took off up the road. Fortunately I managed to pull him up fairly quickly but he could have slipped and the BP would at least have cushioned a bit of the impact

It sounds like your BP doesnt fit (too long?) So pop to a local tack shop and get the fit checked. I used to have an airowear but now have one of the new race safe ones and it's so much more comfortable, there are several out there now with more flexible pieces rather than just the front and back being solid pieces.

Your parents are only worried about your safety and are probably paying for you to be able to have your horsey fun, its one of their only wishes so I think you should do what they say
 
Freya28 said:
I am 16 years old, have been riding about 7 years. I had weekly lessons at a riding school until last August when I moved onto loaning a horse instead. I currently ride a 14.3h 24yo schoolmaster. He's incredibly safe, never puts a foot wrong, however he is rather strong and whizzy. My parents have me wear a body protector everytime I ride, however I feel I can control the horse better without it on, as, when wearing my body protector, I cannot hold the correct position in the saddle, which makes using my seat to slow him down much more difficult. I have jumped and schooled him without wearing one multiple times and it has gone much more smoothly as I could use my seat correctly and my position is much more stable without wearing one. The schools we ride in are all either sand or rubber. I have been trying to persuade my parents to allow me to school without one as I believe in this case it would be safer without one on. My parents main worry is falling off underneath the horse and getting stood on. What's everyone else's opinions on body protectors?
Click to expand...

I say this as someone who doesn't really ride with a body protector very often (usually only when jumping something solid). I have one a bit like this, and I don't find it interferes with my riding: https://www.onlineforequine.co.uk/airowear-wave-ladies-body-protector

It sounds like your body protector doesn't fit properly, and that's why it's interfering with your position. It might be difficult to try other body protectors right now, but like hats, I think it's always best to try body protectors in person to make sure they are a good fit. Some styles will suit you better than others.

If you can't hold the correct position in the saddle wearing your body protector, then it doesn't sound safe to be riding in- so I think you need to have a sensible discussion with your parents about this. However, if they're paying for you to loan your horse, I do think you have to pay attention to their wishes.

Also, quick reminder for all on the thread that air jackets aren't meant to be worn on their own, without a body protector.
 
The two most significant falls I’ve had have occurred in the school (with BP on) and on a hack without a BP. The ironic thing is that I ALWAYS wear one, as in ALWAYS. This was the only time I hadn’t as I’d left it at home, obviously my mare knew and put in a teleportation spook!
So I would always recommend wearing one. I actually now hack in a Helite Airshell Gilet, particularly in the warmer weather:

https://www.helite.co.uk/the_blouson_air_jacket_by_helite_gilet_style_ou

As mentioned above though, it is meant to be worn with a BP underneath.
 
Our arena and covered school are both sand, and the paths through the forest where we ride are also very sandy. Despite falling plenty of times, I've only been bruised badly three times.

My body naturally runs hot, and concentrating seems to make me sweat even more, so I really didn't even consider wearing a body protector.

But then I started doing TREC, for which it is compulsory, and to try to get used to wearing a body protector I wore it for my weekly lessons in the sandy arena.

It was a little bit uncomfortable for the first couple of times, but it did not hinder my balance or position at all... and this makes me think, like other posters in this thread, that your body protector just doesn't fit you right.
 
Also, quick reminder for all on the thread that air jackets aren't meant to be worn on their own, without a body protector.

...

As mentioned above though, it is meant to be worn with a BP underneath.
Click to expand...


This isn't true. BE specify that they must be worn with a body protector, for safety eventing. Mtorcyclists don't wear their versions with a body protector, and the first ones marketed (I had one) were safari-suit style waistcoats which weren't designed to be worn with a body protector. Neither a body protector or an air jacket on their own has the same protection level as wearing both together, but they are also very protective alone. I don't know of any leisure rider who wears both.

Freya I would agree with the people saying your BP doesn't fit, but as someone who wears my air jacket every time I ride, I would see if you can get your parents to stomp up £400 to buy you one. I dislike body protectors to ride in but I don't even notice my air jacket.

.
 
A few years back a finnish international GP rider was doing a light morning training on her experienced GP horse when the horse suddenly collapsed under her - it had an aorta rupture. She was lucky and only sustained minor injuries, she fractured a shoulder quite badly and was operated on.

Some years ago I saw a 4-year old horse have a brain aneurysm. It collapsed quite violently. Luckily no one got hurt.

These things can happen to anyone, no matter how calm or well-trained the horse is or how experienced the rider is. It’s not just a matter of horses spooking or riding green horses. Horses are big animals and when they fall, they are very dangerous. So wearing a body protector is being smart. You just need one that fits correctly.
 
A well fitting body protector shouldn't hinder you - I forget I have mine on after about 5 minutes and I don't wear it regularly.

Maybe compromise and get a more comfortable BP. Win win - you're safe & comfortable, everyone's happy.
 
Get a different BP that fits and doesn't alter your riding position, then you'll be safe and comfortable. Win win!

Riding with a poorly fitting one, or riding without one altogether aren't very sensible at all.

.
 
ycbm said:
Freya I would agree with the people saying your BP doesn't fit, but as someone who wears my air jacket every time I ride, I would see if you can get your parents to stomp up £400 to buy you one. I dislike body protectors to ride in but I don't even notice my air jacket..
Click to expand...

Another one here agreeing with this - when I came back to riding as an adult I went for an air jacket rather than a BP. My parents paid half as a big present! It's far more comfortable and it means that I'm happy to put it on for any activity in all weathers, which is kind of the point of safety gear. And it doesn't hinder my riding at all, it's just like wearing a heavy gilet. That said, I have never had a proper modern body protector - the Racesafe style look really good and are significantly cheaper than an air jacket. My air jacket is a HitAir and I bought it through a friend's business so I got a discount - they are very expensive so I would keep an eye out for sales.

I would explain to your parents that a badly fitting BP actually makes you more likely to have an accident (this is true) and that you'd like to find one that fits better, or alternatively think about an air jacket.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top