What body protector for hacking?

Randonneuse

Randonneuse

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Now our little boy is 3 months old I am going to (try!) ride at least once a week and have decided to be sensible and buy a body protector.(and hoping to be able to ride a lot more when the days gets longer as unfortunately I don't have any family to babysit in the uk and my partner works all week)
I have never had one before so which one would you recommend to get please?
I only hack and my 14hh pony is 99.9% of the time safe :)

I've read about Racesafe on another thread, do you recommend them for hacking?

Thanks! :)
 
First port of call, make sure your hat is up to scratch!

Secondly, you need something that you are going to find wearable enough to put on every time you get on a horse. Can you get yourself to a largeish supplier and try several on?
 
I would buy a reinforced safety jacket, such a Mountainhorse Bodyguard or a JoyRiderz Hi-viz jacket, which has a summer and winter-weight together. Both have pads to protect the most vulnerable parts of the body, the pads are removable to allow for washing. Both are available over t'interweb.
 
i wanted something as comfy as possible for hacking and also that wasnt too bulky - if they suit you, get a racesafe:cool: or try an airowear outlyne.
 
I have an outlyne and I find it fine, much better than the last BP I had. I'd try outlyne, kan and racesafe as everyone is different. I didn't try a kan, hated race safe.
 
I have a kan and love it. Had occasion to test it when my girl bronced me off quite uncharacteristically in
Such a way I twisted in the air landing on shoulder and then spine. Although came of in a field rather than the road am sure would have been much worse than winded had i not worn it. It's comfy to wear and looks cool! Also it's a special material which means it won't need replacing in
3-5 years. It's expensive at £245 but cheaper than the air jackets which would be another option.
 
I wear a body protector for hacking. Much of my learning to ride was done out hacking and I periodically fell off. That I did so without injury I attribute entirely to wearing a properly fitted bp of the Level 3 standard demanded for riding cross country.
The brand you choose must depend on which fits you best. The fit (it mustnt slip up round your neck) and comfort are essential. But my view is that it is no good playing around with substitutes. Even on a quiet hack you need all the protection you can get. My worst fall was from a spin spook in canter onto a tarmac road.
The lower portion of one's back is unprotected by a conventional bp. If I owned a horse I would probably buy an inflatable vest instead. It is less confining to wear and gives better protection. The disadvantage seems to be that if one remounts after a fall, one will have to ride home without any back protection.
 
Race safe, so comfy.

My sister has a wonky spine and its the only one that she can ride in without pain. It doesn't make you feel like you have it on if you know what I mean
 
I use my Racesafe for hacking (I don't compete). It's the highest safety standard version (can't remember what the name of it is). It's really comfy and the least bulky one I've seen that isn't practically just a piece of cardboard with velco:rolleyes:. I bought it after being chucked off twice by my part loan, but then changed to a bombproof riding school pony - I still wear it though!
 
Thanks so much everyone.
The only near-ish place is Stroud Saddlery and having emailed them they stock Racesafe, Airowear and ProAir.
I guess they are a lot cheaper on internet but not sure it would be 100% safe if I measure myself?

Myloubylou, I don't have a budget of £245 unfortunately :-( Especially as my fantastic sharer will be leaving end of January as she is 19 weeks pregnant.
 
I love my Racesafe and won't get on my TB without it. I forget I'm wearing it sometimes and leave it on for the mucking out as well. Really comfy, but you do need to try before you buy as they are large fitting sizes!
 
I love my race safe and my girls wear one as well. Good instead of a sports bra too!! Have it fitted though as the back on the standard one can be long for a lot if people (mines a short back) we've had ours 3 years and were told by the races safe stand at HOYs that they'll be ok for at least another 2
 
Randonneuse said:
Thanks so much everyone.
The only near-ish place is Stroud Saddlery and having emailed them they stock Racesafe, Airowear and ProAir.
I guess they are a lot cheaper on internet but not sure it would be 100% safe if I measure myself?
Click to expand...

We bought mine online. I'm a size 10/12 in tops and I ordered the Adult Medium (I was in between sizes for the different measurments so had to guess), it ended up being too big so I went for adult small. We just exchanged it for a smaller size online with no problem. They're quite adjustable anyway.
 
Definitely try to go somewhere with a selection and try a few on, some types will feel more comfortable than others depending on your shape. You can always be fitted for one then order online. A Hit Air vest might be worthing looking into, its like a waistcoat that you don't need to wear a body protector under so lightweight, then if something happens you have the benefit of an air vest
 
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