If/When to buy a body protector

[PePo]

I think they are both UK based. Jessey certainly is at least.

So the cost of treatment would be provided by the NHS (unless private health cover in place) but not all companies offer full paid sick leave. So for example, if Jessey (or anyone) came off and say, had a mild concussion and Dr recommended two weeks off work those two weeks may only be a Statutory Sick Pay rather than full pay. SSP is just under £110, which most people will earn more than - so it could cause problems if you don't get full pay depending on individual circumstances.

There are insurance policies you can take out that will cover your potentially lost income (the difference between what you earn and SSP) until you are back at work, but you need to find one that will cover horse riding being the cause of your accident/injury.

 

[Skib]

- the riding in one could be more difficult, as I don’t have my own horse (I wish!) and only ride at riding schools.

I have never ridden at an RS which did not allow a body protector. It is the air vests which are sometimes not permitted. But my experience is that when OH was in his 70s and bought an air jacket after a fall, he was allowed to ride in it at both local riding schools. He even had different length strings for two different horses. OH stopped riding only when his favourite canter horse died.

 

[eventerbabe]

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.

I have ended up with two policies! One with my horse insurance (NFU) which isn’t for much. £10k in the event of injury. The other is through my life insurance. Neither policy are expensive. Maybe £15 a month if that.

No, I’m not American. UK based. But I’ve always had rider cover as part of my horse insurance policy. Foolish not to when it’s so cheap for me.

 

[Jessey]

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).

No I’m in the uk! Apparently a lot of companies are going this way now. Yes I’d get SSP and housing benefit if I couldn’t work, but that wouldn’t cover my horse keeping costs, not even close.

 

[Jessey]

I have ended up with two policies! One with my horse insurance (NFU) which isn’t for much. £10k in the event of injury. The other is through my life insurance. Neither policy are expensive. Maybe £15 a month if that.

No, I’m not American. UK based. But I’ve always had rider cover as part of my horse insurance policy. Foolish not to when it’s so cheap for me.

Ah i have rider injury cover but most only cover in the event of a permanent injury, not for say a broken arm that prevents you driving and getting to work.

 

[carthorse]

@Skib I'm sure @Nierva meant ride in one to try it, not that her riding school wouldn't let her ride in one.

Nierva in reality most people don't ride in one to try it before they buy, but often shops will have a saddle on a saddle horse that you can sit in with it on to see if you're happy with the fit. Maybe something to check before you go and try ones on.

 

[Nierva]

@Skib I'm sure @Nierva meant ride in one to try it, not that her riding school wouldn't let her ride in one.

Nierva in reality most people don't ride in one to try it before they buy, but often shops will have a saddle on a saddle horse that you can sit in with it on to see if you're happy with the fit. Maybe something to check before you go and try ones on.

Yes, that’s what I meant. Thanks! I more meant for fit, though. Also, I’ve got no idea how they feel at all, having never worn one.

 

[Skib]

You should sit in a bp when fitting, as the important thing is that the back of the bp should be well clear of the saddle. And this includes when one is slumped in the saddle. Sitting on a chair is fine.
As for how they feel, I think they feel horrible. Given the choice, I would rather ride without one, It is just a safety thing.

 

[carthorse]

@Skib riders shouldn't slump in the saddle. it's not fair on the horse, so I certainly wouldn't take that into account when fitting a BP. And I'd want to try it sat in a saddle, a chair isn't an adequate substitute as your sat completely differently and also it doesn't allow for a saddle having a cantle which in anything but the flattest of seats needs to be taken into account.

Do you not have a choice about wearing BP where you ride? That surprises me when you're only hacking or doing flatwork.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

I never bought a body protector when all I was doing was hacking, but when I bought Sid and it became apparent that he LOVES to jump we signed up for a Riding Club one day event camp, and body protectors were compulsory, so I bought one.

In the event, it was a wise decision!

 

[Nierva]

I never bought a body protector when all I was doing was hacking, but when I bought Sid and it became apparent that he LOVES to jump we signed up for a Riding Club one day event camp, and body protectors were compulsory, so I bought one.

In the event, it was a wise decision!

View attachment 117215

Ouchies! Were you okay?

 

[Skib]

For the record. I do not suggest any one ride while slouching in the saddle. I do suggest it when trying on a bp in the shop, to make sure the back of the bp does not touch the saddle nor the cantle, even when the rider is relaxed.

 

[carthorse]

You should be relaxed without slouching, the two aren't related.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

Ouchies! Were you okay

Absolutely unscathed, so that was worth while!

 

[Skib]

You should be relaxed without slouching, the two aren't related.

It is rare to find anything on which we agree carthorse.

 

[carthorse]

It is rare to find anything on which we agree carthorse.

Are you trying to be difficult and/or play the victim? There are plenty of us who agree to differ on things, this is a forum not a cult, yet we still get on. If you can't cope with people disagreeing with you then that's your problem not mine.

 

[MrA]

Perhaps because I started wearing one as a child or maybe I just have the 'right' body shape for them, I find them very comfortable, secure and reassuring.

Definitely go somewhere you can try them on and have one properly fitted

 

[Mary Poppins]

I haven't ridden without a body protector for the last 30 years. I would feel completely naked without it now.

 

[newforest]

Perhaps because I started wearing one as a child or maybe I just have the 'right' body shape for them, I find them very comfortable, secure and reassuring.

Definitely go somewhere you can try them on and have one properly fitted

To me if it fits we shouldn't notice it.
A bit like a bra, I don't notice it.
I have shape changed since I last got one, so the other wasn't fitting anymore.

 

[carthorse]

I haven't ridden without a body protector for the last 30 years. I would feel completely naked without it now.

God this makes me feel old because they didn't exist when I learned. I remember my RI going intermediate eventing and getting a few looks because she used to wear a back protector in the hope of protecting an old back injury if she fell - it was a piece of cut to shape polystyrene that was pushed into the back of her breeches and held in place with a tightly done up belt!