Why Do Horse Riders Wear Body Protectors?

While the risk of injury to the arms can possibly only be reduced by clever rolling behaviour during a fall, riding hats, body protectors and back protectors protect against serious injuries to the head and torso during riding.

Do horse riding body protectors work?

No body protector can prevent serious injury in every situation, but they can increase your chances of staying alive and reduce the severity of injuries.

What does a body protector do?

A body protector is designed to offer a rider protection in the event of a fall from their horse. Body protectors are designed to absorb high levels of energy experience when falling off a horse, being kicked by a horse, or being stood on. Body protectors are also sometimes known as back protectors, or body armour.

Why do eventers wear vests?

“Air vests were specifically designed with the thought to reduce ‘crush’ injuries to the chest when riders hit the ground hard or when a horse lands on top of them during a fall.”

How do you fit a body protector?

How to fit and wear a body protector

1. Fit your body protector over light clothing, with heavier garments worn over the top.
2. Before trying on, loosen the chest and waist straps of the body protector.
3. Once on, insert thumbs into the armholes to bring the two panels together to make it easier to zip the body protector.

When should you wear a body protector horse riding?

Since in the case of a fall in the open country one could sometimes hit hard ground and obstacles such as branches or road signs or stones could also increase the risk of injury, a protector is recommended when riding in the open country.

Can you wear a tampon when horse riding?

You can wear a tampon whilst horse riding. Get to know your flow and figure out what size tampon is best for you.

How long do body protectors last?

3-5 years
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.

What do you wear over a body protector?

Try on over light clothing or the clothing normally worn under the body protector. Heavier garments (eg rainwear) are best worn over the BP. Adjust the garment by its fastenings at the shoulders and waist to fit snugly.

What is a Level 3 body protector?

Level 3 (blue label)
Protectors to this level should prevent minor bruising that would have produced stiffness and pain, reduce soft tissue injuries and bruising, and prevent a limited number of rib fractures. This level is required by many exercise riders for race horses.

Why do equestrians wear tight pants?

Riding pants protect your legs from saddle chafing and bruising your thighs or ankles from brushing up against the horse’s side. They also reduce the risk of tangling with tack or brush, encourage leg contact and control, and protect your knees from scrapes.

Why do eventers put grease on horses legs?

Greasing Legs: [In eventing], it used to be pretty popular to grease a horse’s front and hind legs to prevent trauma from the brush jumps, and if they hit an obstacle, they’ll slide off of it a little bit more.

How much do professional eventers make?

The salaries of Professional Eventing And Dressage Horse Trainers in the US range from $33,280 to $49,920 , with a median salary of $41,600 .

When should I replace my body protector?

every three to five years
Body protectors should be replaced at least every three to five years, after which the impact absorption properties of the foam may have started to decline.

How do you measure a horse for a back protector?

It’s best to check the back length by sitting on a saddle, ideally the saddle you will be riding in. There should be approximately a hands width between the saddle and the base of the body protector.

How do inflatable body protectors work?

When inflated, the air circulation chamber extends from the sides of the neck (which stabilises the head) and down the body. It is designed with two air tubes connected by a trampoline effect to maximise protection to the chest and spine. The chamber also inflates to cover the hips, providing protection to the pelvis.

What should you not wear when horseback riding?

Flowing scarves, baggy pants, bulky sweaters with loose waists, and other sloppy or loose clothing can get caught on the saddle if you should fall off. Getting caught half-way down means you could get dragged, and that is far more dangerous than falling clear of the horse.

Can you wear jeans while horse riding?

What type of pants should you wear horseback riding? You should wear breeches, jodhpurs, tight-fitting jeans, or yoga pants/leggings. Any of these options will work well for most riding situations.

Do jockeys wear body protectors?

Body protectors must be worn by all jockeys racing under BHA rules and all competitors riding cross country courses under BE rules. Similar rules are normally adopted by unaffiliated competitions such as Hunter Trials. Many riders wear them at other times such as when riding on the road and schooling young horses.

Can horses smell your period?

Women who have worked extensively with many different stallions on a regular basis tend to agree that, from their own experience, there’s no difference in how stallions behave towards them when they are on or off their period.

How do horse riders deal with periods?

Use padded underwear
Being on your period makes your whole intimate area more sensitive and so horseriding may affect you a lot more. Good riding underwear with correctly placed padding can be your best ally at this time. It will take away some of that saddle impact and make you enjoy riding even while on your period.