If/When to buy a body protector

[Nierva]

Hi all, I was just wondering at what age/stage in your riding you bought a body protector, if at all? At the moment, I feel I’m okay without - I’m still only doing flatwork up to a canter (lessons in arena and hacking), I’m 34 and thankfully don’t appear to have any bone weaknesses or anything like that at present (though genetically, I could end up with problems later on, if my Mum is anything to go by). I’ve not had any injuries except for the odd bruise or tiny scratch from falls so far, luckily. I’ve never actually broken a bone.

However, as I get older and am riding more (hoping to get to jump and gallop at some point), is it something I am considering, going forwards. They’re just so expensive! And I see, having had a wee look at some other threads here, that some people find them really uncomfortable/hard to fit/hard to emergency dismount with, which does worry me a bit.

Any recommendations, if I do decide I need one in future? I’m of average height, slim and quite bony. I like the look of the ones with the velcro better than the lace up types, but price would come into it, and they seem way more expensive!

Also, is a body protector something you would only buy in person? The only horse shop “near” (40 minutes away) where I currently live only stocks one or two types of things, and usually really expensive ones. I’ve bought 2/3 of my hats so far online (but I measured mysef and then tried on different sizes at a riding school before ordering).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jessey]

I’m a bit of an anomaly with my difficult to fit shape, the fitters assured me 95% of people go straight into regular sizes and in this day and age most people seem to ride with a body protector.

I do think you need to try them on, unless you’ve had one before and are just upgrading it, even if you go to the expensive shop to try then order online!

Don’t assume just because you’re only doing flat work up to canter you can’t be injured, I came off at a walk last year and spent 3.5 weeks with concussion and unable to do much of anything let alone work! I had an air vest on that saved my body thankfully and a hat but concussion came from whiplash. My recent fall was from a trot to walk transition when he suddenly spooked and did a 180 leaving me behind! My most serious injury was from a walk being led (backing a young horse) In 40 something years most of my falls have not included jumping or galloping and any fall can be your last!

 

[Nierva]

I’m a bit of an anomaly with my difficult to fit shape, the fitters assured me 95% of people go straight into regular sizes and in this day and age most people seem to ride with a body protector.

I do think you need to try them on, unless you’ve had one before and are just upgrading it, even if you go to the expensive shop to try then order online!

Don’t assume just because you’re only doing flat work up to canter you can’t be injured, I came off at a walk last year and spent 3.5 weeks with concussion and unable to do much of anything let alone work! I had an air vest on that saved my body thankfully and a hat but concussion came from whiplash. My recent fall was from a trot to walk transition when he suddenly spooked and did a 180 leaving me behind! My most serious injury was from a walk being led (backing a young horse) In 40 something years most of my falls have not included jumping or galloping and any fall can be your last!

Very good points! Especially when working with green horses. I’m not experienced enough to be backing young horses, but I’ll be honest - I was a bit nervous around my friend’s barely even handled horse, and that was just leading her around! Will definitely continue looking into it. And would definitely never order anything like that online without at least having a very clear idea of my size by trying them on elsewhere first. The place I volunteer for the RDA at has them for the kids - even if they’re just having a 30 min pony ride on the lead rein, I think! - but not sure they have them for adults. Will ask, because that would be a good place to start!

 

[Jessey]

I wasn’t suggesting you’d be backing young horses just explaining why I was being led and that accident’s really can happen at any time no matter how controlled the situation is. The horse didn’t buck me off or anything, just turned around and the saddle slipped and I slid off, I just landed badly and tore the core muscles of my pelvis leaving me unable to walk for weeks!

 

[Nierva]

I wasn’t suggesting you’d be backing young horses just explaining why I was being led and that accident’s really can happen at any time no matter how controlled the situation is. The horse didn’t buck me off or anything, just turned around and the saddle slipped and I slid off, I just landed badly and tore the core muscles of my pelvis leaving me unable to walk for weeks!

I understand. Ouch! I hope you’re fully recovered now, with no lasting effects!

 

[newforest]

It's a personal choice to be honest.
I got my first one when I began to do faster work, jumping.
I bought a new one when I backed my youngster and bought a new hat. I wore everytime I got on her.

Even if you ride at a school, you can be riding animals that are only four years old. You won't necessarily know their age and experience before you get on, only that they are chosen for you for their suitability.

They are expensive and again it's a personal choice, but I have just bought secondhand. I will only be using for the beach. I won't be doing xc, camp, shows etc like I used to do and would have used more often.

 

[Nierva]

It's a personal choice to be honest.
I got my first one when I began to do faster work, jumping.
I bought a new one when I backed my youngster and bought a new hat. I wore everytime I got on her.

Even if you ride at a school, you can be riding animals that are only four years old. You won't necessarily know their age and experience before you get on, only that they are chosen for you for their suitability.

They are expensive and again it's a personal choice, but I have just bought secondhand. I will only be using for the beach. I won't be doing xc, camp, shows etc like I used to do and would have used more often.

Thanks! Are they like hats, i.e. should be replaced every 5 years or after a fall?

You’d think riding places would match you to a suitable mount, but 2/3 of my falls were at riding places which somehow thought it was a good idea to put me on mares which hadn’t done any work for weeks. Doh.

I’m quite excited that secondhand isn’t a problem for body protectors! I hadn’t even considered that as an option - just presumed it was a no-no because of the hat recommendations. I actually bought my first hat secondhand and only replaced it when I fell off myself (wouldn’t do that again, and have now learned about replacing them every 5 years regardless, which I didn’t know before).

 

[carthorse]

I would say if you intend to wear one at some point in the future then wear one now, if you've always ridden in one then it'll feel normal. I don't wear one for anything because I feel so restricted in one that I can't ride properly and am sure I'm more likely to come off as a result. I daresay if I'd learned to ride in one then Iwouldn't feel that way, but back in those days they simply didn't exist.

 

[Skib]

In UK riding schools children are supposed to wear bps when jumping.
I started riding as an older adult and I didnt ever jump. I didnt buy a bp till I started hacking.

I fell off a couple of times in a sand school with no bp and was not hurt. None the less, once I had a bp, I started to wear my bp in lessons l especially when cantering or bare back.

The reason for wearing a bp when hacking is that one is quite likely to fall onto rough ground or against a fence or tree or onto tarmac. My present yard seems to be suggesting that all hackers should wear bps.

The bp will deteriorate after 4 years so I need a new one. Hats are replaced every 2 years.

 

[Nierva]

I would say if you intend to wear one at some point in the future then wear one now, if you've always ridden in one then it'll feel normal. I don't wear one for anything because I feel so restricted in one that I can't ride properly and am sure I'm more likely to come off as a result. I daresay if I'd learned to ride in one then Iwouldn't feel that way, but back in those days they simply didn't exist.

Thanks, that’s good advice.

 

[PePo]

It's completely personal choice. I don't wear one at all and I do plenty of fast work out hacking on all terrains, use gallops etc.

Like carthorse, I feel more restricted in one but I will say I have pretty good balance and a pretty good seat so feel less likely to fall in the first place (despite some sharp moments) than someone that is perhaps less balanced in the first place.

I literally only wear one when I have to so for XC or if I feel in a situation I'm more likely to fall off, like bringing a horse back into work.

Of course that doesn't make me bullet proof but you have to weigh up whats right for you.

Perhaps get fitted to see what fits you and how comfortable you find them?

Edited to add: I've been told to replace riding hats every 3-5 years (or if you have a fall/drop it), of course you can replace more frequently but that's the advice of hat manufacturers.

 

[newforest]

Thanks! Are they like hats, i.e. should be replaced every 5 years or after a fall?

You’d think riding places would match you to a suitable mount, but 2/3 of my falls were at riding places which somehow thought it was a good idea to put me on mares which hadn’t done any work for weeks. Doh.

I’m quite excited that secondhand isn’t a problem for body protectors! I hadn’t even considered that as an option - just presumed it was a no-no because of the hat recommendations. I actually bought my first hat secondhand and only replaced it when I fell off myself (wouldn’t do that again, and have now learned about replacing them every 5 years regardless, which I didn’t know before).

Some people won't touch secondhand bps, but I do believe you can send the bp away to be checked.
With hats you can't/don't, as a fall can weaken the whole thing and it can crack the outer that you can't see.
The foam degenerates with use with both the hat and bp.

As I said it's really a personal thing. Years ago I borrowed the best fitting riding hats when learning to ride. My first one was secondhand. But once I decided I had the bug - for which there is no cure, I got a new hat for my birthday. I have had a new hat ever since.

 

[newforest]

You might find this useful.
From a website -
https://racesafe.co.uk/cart

​

5 signs you should replace your body protector​

As equestrians, we rely on our body protector to help keep us safe. It doesn’t matter whether you're hacking, eventing or racing. The protection provided by your body protector gives you the level of security and confidence needed to go out and enjoy our sport. But it's important to know if your body protector is no longer providing you with the intended level of protection.
Did you know? If your body protector is over 5 years old, it might not be providing the intended level of protection.
A well-cared for body protector has an expected life span of 3-5 years. After this period or under certain circumstances, it may still look in good condition, but the effectiveness and the level of protection it offers will deteriorate.

5 signs you need to replace your current body protector​

1 - It doesn’t have a BETA 2009 or 2018 (Level 3) label​

BETA certification was revised in 2018 and current Level 3 models carry a turquoise label. The previous version dates from 2009, meaning a BETA 2009 labelled body protector is now a minimum of 2 years old, and a maximum of 11 years old.

If you have a body protector that has a BETA 2000 or older label, it is at least 11 years old and almost definitely not providing the correct level of protection. BETA recommend body protectors are replaced every 3-5 years.


- So whatever you plan to buy, be it new or secondhand. My advice would be to go with the blue label, then look at the 2009.

 

[eventerbabe]

You can injure yourself at any time. We always rode in bps when learning (back in the 80s) as my dad had a friend who’s wife was paralysed in a fall on a hack. I always rode in one until a few years ago. I really need to invest in a new one. I personally cannot afford to get injured, have time off work etc so view a bp as another safety net, same as my rider/income protection insurance I have.

BPs are expensive so trying on is an absolute must. My nearest horsey shops (for items like BPs/hats etc) are a good hour away but I still took my toddler to have her hat properly fitted as with my own riding hats. You cannot put a price on your safety and wellbeing.

 

[Jessey]

I personally cannot afford to get injured, have time off work etc so view a bp as another safety net, same as my rider/income protection insurance I have.

Who do you have your income protection insurance with? My new job I have to accrue sick pay, which scares me! Not because I plan to come off, but it could mean working when I shouldn’t be because I can’t afford not to get paid.

 

[Nierva]

It's completely personal choice. I don't wear one at all and I do plenty of fast work out hacking on all terrains, use gallops etc.

Like carthorse, I feel more restricted in one but I will say I have pretty good balance and a pretty good seat so feel less likely to fall in the first place (despite some sharp moments) than someone that is perhaps less balanced in the first place.

I literally only wear one when I have to so for XC or if I feel in a situation I'm more likely to fall off, like bringing a horse back into work.

Of course that doesn't make me bullet proof but you have to weigh up whats right for you.

Perhaps get fitted to see what fits you and how comfortable you find them?

Edited to add: I've been told to replace riding hats every 3-5 years (or if you have a fall/drop it), of course you can replace more frequently but that's the advice of hat manufacturers.

Thanks! I’d really like to be able to try a body protector on and ride in it - the riding in one could be more difficult, as I don’t have my own horse (I wish!) and only ride at riding schools.

Re: hats, I wore my second one for about 15 years because I only knew the “If you fall off rule” and clearly didn’t read the accompanying information well enough! Thank Heavens I didn’t have a serious fall in all that time! I only had two and one was a semi-emergency dismount and for the other I almost landed on my feet. Didn’t hit my head, but the hat must have been useless by that time anyway. Scary!

 

[Nierva]

Some people won't touch secondhand bps, but I do believe you can send the bp away to be checked.
With hats you can't/don't, as a fall can weaken the whole thing and it can crack the outer that you can't see.
The foam degenerates with use with both the hat and bp.

As I said it's really a personal thing. Years ago I borrowed the best fitting riding hats when learning to ride. My first one was secondhand. But once I decided I had the bug - for which there is no cure, I got a new hat for my birthday. I have had a new hat ever since.

Thanks! Yes, I’m becoming quite well informed on hats…been watching Charles Owen do all their tests on them on Youtube. It’s fascinating (and terrifying!)

 

[Nierva]

You might find this useful.
From a website -
https://racesafe.co.uk/cart

​

5 signs you should replace your body protector​

As equestrians, we rely on our body protector to help keep us safe. It doesn’t matter whether you're hacking, eventing or racing. The protection provided by your body protector gives you the level of security and confidence needed to go out and enjoy our sport. But it's important to know if your body protector is no longer providing you with the intended level of protection.
Did you know? If your body protector is over 5 years old, it might not be providing the intended level of protection.
A well-cared for body protector has an expected life span of 3-5 years. After this period or under certain circumstances, it may still look in good condition, but the effectiveness and the level of protection it offers will deteriorate.

5 signs you need to replace your current body protector​

1 - It doesn’t have a BETA 2009 or 2018 (Level 3) label​

BETA certification was revised in 2018 and current Level 3 models carry a turquoise label. The previous version dates from 2009, meaning a BETA 2009 labelled body protector is now a minimum of 2 years old, and a maximum of 11 years old.

If you have a body protector that has a BETA 2000 or older label, it is at least 11 years old and almost definitely not providing the correct level of protection. BETA recommend body protectors are replaced every 3-5 years.


- So whatever you plan to buy, be it new or secondhand. My advice would be to go with the blue label, then look at the 2009.

That’s really helpful! Thank you!

 

[Nierva]

You can injure yourself at any time. We always rode in bps when learning (back in the 80s) as my dad had a friend who’s wife was paralysed in a fall on a hack. I always rode in one until a few years ago. I really need to invest in a new one. I personally cannot afford to get injured, have time off work etc so view a bp as another safety net, same as my rider/income protection insurance I have.

BPs are expensive so trying on is an absolute must. My nearest horsey shops (for items like BPs/hats etc) are a good hour away but I still took my toddler to have her hat properly fitted as with my own riding hats. You cannot put a price on your safety and wellbeing.

Thanks! It’s true - anything could happen at any time, really.

 

[Nierva]

Who do you have your income protection insurance with? My new job I have to accrue sick pay, which scares me! Not because I plan to come off, but it could mean working when I shouldn’t be because I can’t afford not to get paid.

Take it you two are American?

I’m always shocked by how insurance (doesn’t?) work there. Quite incomprehensible to someone from the UK, even though our NHS is full of problems and ridiculous waits at the moment (you could be waiting hours and hours for an ambulance, and plenty of people have died waiting).