Body Protectors.. opinions?

Question

Wearing a body protector when I ride is always a great debate with my parents. But, I cannot quite see where they are coming from considering it's now extremely hot, due to summertime and difficult to be wearing one. I only go out on slow hacks, (nothing dangerous) and most of the time I go into the grass school and do no larger than 2ft jumps. This is what I do regularly, and my parents have said if they catch me riding without one, I won't be allowed to ride again. I am 14 years old, and have been riding for 8 years, and ride a lazy, 10yo, 16.2hh, Irish Sports Horse. He is well schooled, and I would just like to know why my parents are so obsessed with the body protector? I don't do XC, showjumping, or anything dangerous.. (in my eyes) so HELP?!

Answer 1

Hiya, i'm with you on the heat, isn't it horrible in summer!? However if your parents wont let you ride without one you have to make a decision whether you'd rather ride and wear one or not ride at all. The more you use it the more you get used to it, so you might just have to put up with it.

However, my argument has always been, that it doesn't actually protect your bones believe it or not - just your internal organs. Honestly, look it up or ask in your saddlery, it only protects the organs. And in my eyes, if your ribcage breaks or something, it will harm your ribs too! So really.. what is the point!? Again though, it is of course safer or no one would wear one, so you might just have to put with it, even if it is annoying! Good luck with the riding though!:) x

Answer 2

I too ride a 10 year old 16.2 Irish sports horse (high five!) but she's anything but lazy! The damn thing zooms everywhere, and is very spooky. However, the only time I wear a body protector is when I am doing serious jumping with her and she can get VERY excited!

If your parents feel you should be wearing one, then it's probably best that you do. However, if you are extremely desperate to go without (which any horse rider can understand in this heat) tell them about the dangers of overheating on a horse which is very common for those who ride in body protectors. Also, not wearing one I find helps my movement on a horse, and has improved my riding when doing flatwork.

Good luck and enjoy your summer riding xx

Answer 3

Well I don't wear a body protector, I can't ride in them. I'd not wear one whatever I was doing because I'd quite probably fall off- maybe I wouldn't break my ribs when I fell but I'd still rather be on the horse. That goes for cross country, showjumping, everything.



Also they cost like £50+, they're uncomfortable and hot, and it's an extra thing to have to bring to the yard so believe me, I know where you're coming from!



But having said that, why not just wear it? Your parents are only trying to make sure that you're safe. It's always dangerous being on the back of a living, breathing animal. You might *think* you're on a nice gentle hack... Until your horse spooks, and broncs, and you fall off and break a rib, which then punctures your lung. Okay, it's unlikely, but I bet if (god forbid) that happened then you'd wish you were wearing a body protector. It isn't really hurting you to put one on, but it might hurt you if you don't. Just think how lucky you are that your parents care so much about you.

Answer 4

I can understand where they are coming from, but also the dilemma you have.



I'll just reiterate what the others have said. You have *no* control over what your horse does. You could be riding the most docile horse ever and you can still fall off. My friend recently was at a XC course with her horse of two years and fell off twice - second time she broke her arm. As is with horses, you have to prepare for the worst possible outcome - and plan around that happening.



I have the Point Two Inflatable Body Protector - I wouldn't go anywhere without it. After seeing Oliver Townsend's horse FLIP over last year, or perhaps two years ago, where he came away with barely a scratch, I knew I had to have one. They are probably the most expensive body protectors on the market but believe me when I say they are worth every penny. I haven't personally fallen off yet but I have a few friends who have and put their faith in these protectors 100%. They are also incredibly light - as they inflate when you fall and the string gets disconnected from the saddle - so they would solve your 'hot' problem.



The other one I would recommend - which I used to have - is the Champion Flex Air Body Protector. Much cheaper but also incredibly lightweight with ventilation to prevent overheating!

Answer 5

Riding horses is always dangerous, don't you dare forget that. It doesn't matter if you're riding the most dead broke, lazy, least likely to ever spook horse, something can go wrong and leave you dead. Honestly as much whining as you do it is not going to change your parents' opinions on this. Either you are going to wear the vest or you are not going to ride until you are a legal adult.



It is your parents job to worry about you, and it is there job to do what they can to keep you safe. Obviously they are nice enough to allow you to ride, but they want you to be safe while doing so. Thus, the body protector. Even if it does not keep you from breaking a rib it will help in keeping, say, your spleen from rupturing. And ya know what? I don't think you want to find out what it's like when one of your internal organs ruptures because of a bad fall. All it can take is one fall and you can be as good as dead.



I'm sorry but until you're an adult you just have two choices. Wear the vest or stay off the horse.

Answer 6

I fully understand where you are coming from with this as I only wear my protector for xc and when training young or difficult horses. However they can save your life and even the most sane of horses can have a sudden moment of madness. Whilst your parents are responsible for you and probably paying for your riding you need to accept their terms as they are only looking out for your best interests and safety.



When I was younger, someone from a yard where I was training a young horse was killed. Her horse was 18 years old and considered a schoolmaster was spooked by something, reared and she came off. One of the horse's hooves came down on her chest and collapsed her lungs, killing her outright. The hospital said that a body protector may have saved her life, HAD she been wearing one.



When you are an adult (sorry if that sounds patronising) you can decide for yourself but until then its not worth losing out on riding.

Answer 7

It could potentially save your life. I've heard of a few people who have sat on their horse for a moment and have fallen off and seriously injured themselves.



In my opinion, I hate body protectors, I find them restrictive and too stiff. I wish I had ridden in one when jumping a particular horse as I could have had a more fatal accident. Luckily I escaped with a pulled muscle in my neck and a few bruises.



They're your parents, they love you and want you to be safe :}

Answer 8

you should always wear hat, gloves and a body protector (I always wear a long sleeved top too) Yes you'll be a bit hot for a bit, but you won't break your ribs or worse!

Wear a vest top if it too hot, or go riding early in the morning/later in the evening once it's cooled down a bit (It's not fair on the horses to work them hard in really hot tempetures)



It doesn't matter how long you've been riding, how well you know your horse, how slow you go..no one goes out planning an accident, be safe rather than sorry!!



A friend of mine (an experinced rider 15+ years ) was out riding her horse and he spooked, she broke her leg in 3 places...it can happen to anyone.

Answer 9

To be honest your parents are just overprotective. Sorry, parents just kinda suck some times but you just gotta deal with them. I have never ridden with a body protector. I've always thought it was something for young kids (which it is). Just tell your parents how you feel. Cause if you were to fall, a body "protector" isn't going to protect you... it just isn't!

Answer 10

Horses are unpredictable that could be why your parents want you to wear one, i personally don't wear one because its to hot and if you have one that doesn't fit you in anyway, say if it was slightly to long it can do more harm than good if you fall off, other than that they are really uncomfortable and i personally don't see the point of them unless you are doing hardcore cross country...

Answer 11

it is getting really hot!! but i didn't want to wear one at first!!! now i think its better to be hot working.. than falling off & breaking something even if you are only on something really quiet... something might spook him unexpectedly!!



hope i helped