Body protectors

[nicolcaplin]

Right. So I've been riding for 14 years without them, but I am increasingly aware that one day I might not be able to bounce when I fall off. What I would like to know really is are they just a gimmick? I've heard rumours that they can do more damage to a rider that one without. Correct me if I'm wrong!

Also I have tried on a few, ages ago when I was about ten or eleven years old but could never get one to fit my chunky childness.

More recently I slipped into another one, but even in the XL it still barely did up over my bewbies (34 DD) and I'm worried that this could cause a problem. Anyone have a good story with these things?

x

[kateflashy]

i never where one un less competion rules mean i have to mines a racesafe one so its in secments
and is more 'bendy' though it still like a straight jacket i cant wear the new solid ones they suffocate me

[racaille]

I insist my kids wear them pretty much all the time. I wear one for cross. They do feel restrictive at first but as the foam warms up with your body heat it softens and I forget it's on.
I saw a teenager come off pony recently over a jump and because she came off awkwardly the pony stepped on her as it landed. Obviously, the pony lifted its foot as soon as it was able as it didn't like the sensation any more than she did! lol Under her BP she had some really impressive bruises ... but no more than that.
MY OH broke two ribs coming off in a field. He landed heavily but probably would have escaped with bruises had he been wearing a BP.
I've never heard of them causing problems, as long as they are well fitted. And I think you can get 'buxom' ones, you just have to try a lot on!
I think it also depends on your horse: I don't wear one most of the time because mine is a gent, but if I was on a flightier nag I definitely would.
I used to be a motorbiker, where body armour is normal. Why not?

[arumanii]

I always wear mine as u just neva kno! Hav been thankful 4 it b4 2 -nearly broke ribs b4 with a horse accidentally stepping on me but just ended up with bruises (I say just but they hurt like hell!). I'm in same situation as u breast wise but mine either was made with more room up there or has gradually moulded to fit my shape. Think you can buy special ones that you take the measurements for...but no idea where sorry

[Maes Seren]

I have a racesafe now, used to have an airowear whatsit one.

Ridden in RS twice i think since i got it, ive got a fear of wearing it because ill probably fall off.

They would protect you from being trampled, or trodden on, but can make injuries more servere as they spread out the impact across the whole chest. Last time i fell off wearing one, i was struggling to breathe for 15mins, pretty scary. They also wont protect you from brakes, and they only cover the top half of your back, if they came all the way down theyd affect how you sit in the saddle, which is pants.

[abi]

most of them are fitted really tight, but will give after a minute when the foam softens, though i still dont like the bulk!

i wear mine for roadwork and jumping and shows, but mum fractured her spine when not wearing one, and the doctor said that because of the way she fell, wearing a body protector would have made no difference!! x

[Becca]

I haven't worn one for years but the one i did have moulded to my beautifully. I remember lending it to a slightly less curvey friend who found it very uncomfortable though. It didn't make much difference to me wearing it or not, other than if it was really hot. It was more of a comfort for me after a bad fall (even though when i fell i skinned my arms, face and knees which the BP wouldn't help haha)

[shearer]

Once you've had it on a while and moved about it in they give a bit and are alot comfier. Once mines warmed up a bit you forget it's there, i've had it since i was about 9 though and only just grown into it lmao I am 16 now btw ;D

[duckles]

I don't wear one generally. I know I probably should but I find them uncomfortable and little use with neck, shoulder or coccyx injuries (which always seems to be where you hurt yourself). Having said that, they do reduce bruising a lot and I think they can give a feeling of security with tricky horses or tricky situations. If I got a new one, I think I would get a racesafe as I have heard a lot of positive things about them. I still mentally think of my body protector my 'new' one although it is nearly 9 years old! I am sure they will improve and become more generally used as time goes on. After all, people used not to wear riding hats years ago.

[fleabitten]

Theyve made a new BP for women (here in N.I) - dont know anybody that has one but heres the link:
www.kanteq.com/

[zara]

I have a "Rodney Powell" bp which cost me about £80 - I can count on 1 hand how many times I have worn it - I hate wearing it, I know i should but......... z

[Blonde Donkey]

i have an aerowear but i never wear it nowadays unless i am going XC, my BP is great but very very bulky and difficult to move in

[aimee]

Dont know what mine is, think it was just a robinsons one. Never wear it unless I have to at shows. I think they can be restrictive and make you feel like you have rugby player shoulders especially as mine has the extra shoulder pads lol! but you do get more used to them the more you wear it.

[rebanna]

i alway where mine sense i broke my back told me if id had it on i wouldn't have broke it learn by my mistake

I'm the same size up top IL have a look tomz and see what make mine is for u it's blue if that helps ;D

[FirenLady]

I am a little busty person and find racesafe are brilliant. No restriction it just moves with me. No feelings of not being able to breath/move. I don't even know I'm wearing it! seriously. I wear it when jumping and it improves my confidence 10fold. Its like i become a different person wearing it lol. I've fallen off in it once....but i landed on my feet! hee hee I wear it when leading my younster too sometimes, she sprung off one day and kicked out and mildly hit my wrist.

[only1wu]

Oh, the Cursed Body Armour!!

3 years ago I broke my back and and OH insists that I wear the damned thing, even though I have not fallen off since. Being a bit short-bottomd, from waist to crutch, I cannot get one to fit properly. My very pricey racing standard thingy hits the back of the saddle and jabs me in the back of the neck when I get off. Hate it!!

Recently came across one for cyclists which is really nice. Just like wearing a small rucksack and very light. It's called "Forcefield". I thought that it would probably give enough protection, because cyclists go much faster on roads that we do. However, haven't fallen of when wearing it, so don't really know how effective it is.

Happy landings!!

[only1wu]

May 22, 2008 20:51:46 GMT fleabitten said:

Theyve made a new BP for women (here in N.I) - dont know anybody that has one but heres the link:
www.kanteq.com/

Have looked at this, but it doesn't actually cover the vertebra which I broke (Lumbar 5).

[fallible]

I had to get a new up to date one when i dipped my toe in british eventing. Was not used to the solid variety at all and not sure i liked it much as being small across the back was and still is a squeeze to zip up over the old chest area. Sometimes help needed! It does mold to my shape however and i soon forget it is on and always wear it cross country, practic, training or comps. My friend has a long back and found it a pain to get one to fit. She and several others that i have spoken to said big comps with lots of trade stands are a good way of trying on a variety to get one to suit each individual be it long back, short back, big boobs or little.

[maximum]

i had mine fitted at Blair last year as I have short back. was not anymore expensive. its a airowear

[flash7]

I never ride without a body protector. I can't afford not to after my accident last year even though my horse is very quiet. I'm a curvey girl too and although it fits my back properly it's a bit tight up top. I know feel odd without wearing one. Definately interested in looking at the racesafe one. Do you get really hot in it? What about the airowear one?

[Blonde Donkey]

my aerowear one is really bulky and is great for holding me together. i cant do sitting trot in it cos me boobs end up near me neck and then hurt like f**k afterwards. its no fun being curvey sometimes. can't wear it under a jacket either i look like a tank

[flash7]

Thanks Savy, won't buy the airowear then, sounds painful, poor you!

[Blonde Donkey]

i bet their great but i just don't like mine. didn't even use it for breaking in paddy. haven't used it for about two years

[Blonde Donkey]

www.derbyhouse.co.uk/prodlist.asp?cat=3&scats=72,102
i want one of the zip up ones might be easy to control myself in them lol.

[flash7]

I'm not sure I'd be able to zip mine up without squashing them in first!!