Who Does/Doesn't Wear Body Protector and Why

[Heucherella]

Once you've worn it a few times you will instinctively put it on and forget you're wearing it. Get yourself to a well stocked tack shop with loads of different ones, get fitted and see what is most comfortable.
If you find your BP restrictive then it's not the one for you.

My BP has saved me on a good few occasions, doesn't feel uncomfortable and it's just habit to put it on.

Yeah - did that - only one BP in the entire shop fitted. It is restrictive, yet is the only one that I could buy.

 

[Mince Pie]

H speak to some online stockists, I know racesafe and Kan will take your measurements and do M2M online.

 

[Kenzo]

I like to ware mine, my mum bought me it years ago for my birthday when I used to more jumping and XC, well you have to wear them for XC and hunter trials but it used to sit I'm my wardrobe redundant half the time, until I thought what a waste of good money, plus my mums not here anymore and I kinda feel like its potentially the best present she could of bought me if it prevents a more serious injury.
So I wear it on honour of my mum...silly but if I have a bad fall and end up in a bad way without it, Is only curse my mum for getting me into horses in the first place! lol

I did leave it at home today and on Thursday as I forgot it, try not to do it again though!

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Kenzo - that's nice, a positive way to think of your mum.

Heucherella - that's how I felt, they rode up and restricted my breathing, the Kan was the only one that fits, it really wraps around and touches me everywhere - love it!

 

[VioletStripe]

I wear mine for hacking, XC and if I'm on a young horse or jumping a green horse.. Other than that, only if I have to because of RS rules! I hate wearing, but sometimes I do think it's better to be safe than sorry. xx

 

[Pedantic]

I don't know what the big deal is about wearing one, I forget mine is on when riding, so I wear it every ride, you can come off anytime, but then maybe some of you see where I ride on my video's , if people don't want to wear one that is fine and their decision, but I tend to switch off if anyone moans about an injury from falling if they weren't wearing one.

 

[cbmcts]

If you have insurance and you have an accident riding you aren't covered unless you are wearing the correct protection: hat and BP.

I don't think the above is true (unless you have specialist injury insurance that makes it a requirement?) Mind you, on most horse insurance policies you need to lose at least one limb to get a payout under the personal accident section...

I wear a Racesafe BP every single time I get on a horse - yes, even walk, trot tests - because I have a dodgy disc in my spine and if I injure that again I will be looking at a major operation to have it fused and will probably be off work recuperating for 3 - 6 months. In which case, I would no longer have a job!

It doesn't bother me to wear it anymore, it's second nature now and I've saved a fortune on sports bras

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

I tend to think more about the repercussions of being injured. Me and my husband are self employed, we run a business together - if I break something, collarbone, ribs etc, I won't be able to lift 25Kg sacks of feed for a while, and we'll have to pay out for extra staff. Whilst a BP isn't going to stop a broken arm or leg, it may save me from some breakages, that's got to be good for everyone in my life, not just me.

 

[Syrah]

I wear one every time I ride.

I have a Kanteq which is very comfortable and I do forget I've got it on.

I wore my new P2 today, a lovely present Have to say I did miss my Kan, I think it's turned into a security blanket for me

 

[Fun Foals]

Always wear mine when rideing, it fits well and i almost forgert i haveit on. Its no good being in an accident and it being left in the tack room, wont help you there.

 

[devilwoman]

Thanks for all the replies, a mixed bag there, well after further "discussions" I think he's finally after 22 years of marriage making a stand and i'll have to buy one, i'm quite ashamed that i've never owned one and probably never would if this damright naughty mare i currently own didn't have binned me !

Problem I have now is money and sizing, think i'll pop off somewhere on my day off next week and get one fitted, price it up then I know if I can afford one or have to save/wait for birthday

 

[MochaDun]

I wear mine every time I ride. If I don't work I don't earn and everything goes down the pan as I don't have back up with a partner's earnings etc if I get injured, I don't have any form of paid sick leave either beyond statuatory, and I don't want my 2 sisters to have to nurse me for ages if I have a bad fall as we've done enough of nursing and carng for people in our family in the past. I know my back protector won't stop me breaking my arm, leg, collarbone, in the same way you can have a bad accident and be injured if not killed from wearing a hat. I just try and minimise the risk a little. The 5 times I have come off horse in the 7 years I've had him the back protector has definitely softened the fall and absorbed the impact.

 

[MilosDad]

I always wear one. If its hot I wear an air jacket if its jumping lesson or dodgy weather then a Rodney Powell full protector.
Why?
I am a senior A&E doc who also does several of the major horse trials so I see those who fall with body protector and those who fall without (both recreational and sporting).
I have no intentions of ever falling without a body protector.
For those who say that health and safety is their personal choice then I suggest you ask the doctors who have to fix you and your family who have to worry/grieve for you how they feel.