Wear your vests and helmets kiddos!! I'll tell you why.

[purplnurpl]

Because they can save your butt. That's why. Even when you think all is good in the stars...you find your A$$ on the ground.

I had to send one of my young adult students off in an ambulence this weekend.
Not a fun thing for a teacher. Not fun at all.
The what if's, and what could I have done, what did I do wrong, I'm not a good coach, of course haunts me now.
I'm a semi pro and I help only on special request. So I'm relatively new to falls of kiddos/students and such.

And the reality of it is, it happens. And in this case, now that I know what she doesn't know, I can prepare her for the next tough similar situation. But I feel like I should have randomly known what was about to happen before it happened. Coaches are caretakers in a sense. And I failed.

People often look at me crooked because no matter what I"m riding/how old/how much training ect I wear my vest and my helmet. It's not even up for discussion.
I ride a lot of well broke trail horses and such but no matter what- that vest goes on. Even in 110* weather.

My student would have been in pretty good shape after her fall if she had her vest on.
She was ejected from her little OTTB (who apparently had a track flashback or something) at a fairly quick speed and when she hit the ground she slid a good 15 meters and wrapped herself around an arena fence post.

She was bruised black and blue in the little baby ribb area within a few minutes. I made her lay still and called 911 because who knows what could have been bruised or fractured (spleen, kidney, plelvis).

Turns out she's just bruised right at the base of her rib cage.
The first thing she said was, "damn, should have had my vest on".

Now lil ol me can't make vests mandatory but I highly promote them. And I know a student that won herself hand galloping lessons and will hopfully be wearing her vest from now on.

Wear your protective gear everyone. It really can save you from heartache and pain.
: )

That's it. That is my blog for the day.
Happy Eventing and gear up!
Kristen Wertz

[JER]

I ride a lot of well broke trail horses and such but no matter what- that vest goes on. Even in 110* weather.


That makes two of us.

:)

[purplnurpl]

ROFLMAO.

Sorry. I just saw a mental picture of JER on a fat QH plunking along in an Exo!!

: )

[Glenbaer]

People often look at me crooked because no matter what I"m riding/how old/how much training ect I wear my vest and my helmet. It's not even up for discussion.
I ride a lot of well broke trail horses and such but no matter what- that vest goes on. Even in 110* weather.


:yes: :yes: :yes: I just gained even more respect for you, Kristen. Safety vests have saved me so many times from becoming complete mush (snoopy knows what I mean on this one... :winkgrin: ).

A bunch of trail riders went by the other day (sans helmet, with just sneakers, you know the type), and I received the strangest looks and laughs as I was schooling a student's old QH, gussied up in safety equipment to the nines. Just made it that much more enjoyable. :lol:

Does anyone know, are vests permitted for dressage classes and/or eventing dressage, or does that draw the line with judges on safety vs. "whatever", assuming you can't fit it under your jacket? I took two greenies to a dressage schooling show this weekend, and ended up just schooling when the show was cancelled. I forgot to pack a vest, and felt quite naked and scared... :eek:

I still don't understand how dressage riders and/or eventing riders in dressage can feel safe in just a hunt cap... On a wound-up, fit eventer in a crowded warm up area, wouldn't one want all safety equipment on? I just. don't. get it. But that's just me proselytizing, so nevermind. :lol:

[Caroline Weber]

I've always worn a helmet, but I'm starting to consider wearing a vest as well...

Yesterday my dressage horse barged through my outside aids and we ended up outside the ring. Slippery grass+moderate downhill slope+barefoot pony=horse and I both going down. Luckily, because of the hill, she landed farther down then I did and I got up ASAP so that I'd be out of the way if she flailed around getting up.

This is the fourth time I've had a horse flip on me - twice on my mare when she has completely panicked about something and forgotten to pay attention to her own balance (she does not rear often at all), and once when XC schooling and she caught her foot in the corner of a revetted ditch when she decided mid-air that she didn't really want to do it. Every single time, I've been lucky and only been landed on up to the knee, and both of us walked away a bit sore but uninjured. The only time I was wearing a vest was the fall XC.

Obviously, vests protect against some nasty injuries - but how much crush-type pressure can they really absorb?

[JER]

ROFLMAO.

Sorry. I just saw a mental picture of JER on a fat QH plunking along in an Exo!!

: )

Ah, you laugh. I have some lovely photos of myself doing endurance in a vest (this was pre-EXO) on a fat QH paint. :lol:

The paint, who is the most intelligent horse I've ever encountered, is an off-the-charts wild man. Think John Belushi in Animal House. Big, big buck, too. But I found that after 15 miles or so, he was a different horse, so we did endurance.

I save the EXO for special occasions, not trail riding. I also will sit on some horses bareback with no vest. I acquired the vest habit a long time ago when I had a mare with a hellacious buck. She would never hurt you, the falls weren't heavy, but she could drop her shoulder and twist her hip and you didn't have a chance. I thought the best course of action was to make sure I could always get right back on her. She was a smart mare and eventually got tired of dumping me to no avail.

(At the time, I had a 24/7 high-pressure job where having to take time off for injury would be like being buried alive. Worse, actually, because I'd have people screaming at me the whole time.)

I took some horses to a police training clinic once. We were the only English folks there. I wore my vest. The western folks said 'Why are you wearing that?'. I very pleasantly explained that I was a wuss. About ten minutes into the clinic, a QH freaked out at something -- I think it was the remote-controlled car -- dumped the rider and kicked her hard -- CRACK!!! -- in the ribs. No question that she had broken ribs, it was just a matter of how many.

At the break, the western folk wanted to know where they could get a vest like mine.:lol:

But really, the helmet and vest are nothing. I also fence -- I'm talking swords, not horse-containment -- and if you think helmets and vests are hot or claustrophobic, then get thee to a fencing center and spend an hour hopping about in a big heavy full-face mask, thick glove, hard plastic chest protector, impenetrable-fabric underarm protector and a fencing jacket, which is like a straightjacket but with two sleeves.

:D

[Ibex]

I hear ya! I ride my rising 4yo in one a lot of the time. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body, but she's BIG, and can get a bit worried and when that happens she stops listening. And then I start worrying about things going wrong and how much broken ribs would hurt. And then I stop riding which doesn't do either of us any good! :lol:

I admit I don't *always* wear it since we're in a dressage saddle most of the time and I find that the back interferes with the cantle a bit, but if there's anything new being introduced, or there's snow coming off the roof etc, it absolutely goes on.

[Caroline Weber]

But really, the helmet and vest are nothing. I also fence -- I'm talking swords, not horse-containment -- and if you think helmets and vests are hot or claustrophobic, then get thee to a fencing center and spend an hour hopping about in a big heavy full-face mask, thick glove, hard plastic chest protector, impenetrable-fabric underarm protector and a fencing jacket, which is like a straightjacket but with two sleeves.

As a fellow fencer, I haven't decided yet which is worse. I probably prefer the vest, though - at least there are no sleeves to screw with the range of motion in your shoulders.

[purplnurpl]

but the one horse out of all the horses I ride that has gotten me off was the western pleasure horse. The one that jogs so slow and soft that I accidentally took a nap one time on her.

And there was not even a discussion. I was enjoying a nice lope and then that lil mare (15h tall 15h wide) ripped the reins right out of my hands and with her nose between her knees coiled up and let it rip. Just once.
That's all it took and I was crashing back down on the saddle and then blup off the side.
On that dang hard Texas black gumbo.
On the way down I was thinking. "Thank you vest. Cusion the fall well pls."
Actually it happened so fast I was thinking..."how the heck did I end up on the ground?"

lol.

And the 13h Welsh Cob that I'm riding. He ran off with me the other day. (I'm 6' tall)
Can't help but laugh while trying to regain control of that one. I snickered the entire time through that run-away.

I have to say I'm having a ball cross training and riding all of these different shapes and sizes. It's pure joy.

[TinkerBells]

I've always worn helmets, no questions asked, since a severe head injury about 9 years ago. I've always cringed at the price of the vests, but I guess when you really think about it, it's nothing considering what could happen. :eek:

[JER]

As a fellow fencer, I haven't decided yet which is worse. I probably prefer the vest, though - at least there are no sleeves to screw with the range of motion in your shoulders.

And I would take helmet-hair over mask-hair any day.

[purplnurpl]

Some of my clients that have fears have ordered them for about 100 bucks.

There is a Tipp in the catalogs for about $125 or so.

[Ibex]

Cruise eBay as well. I landed a brand-new CO vest for about $100...

[Kairoshorses]

Thanks for posting this, Kristen. (I'm Becky from AreaV!). I USED to be great about wearing a helmet all the time...but now that I'm at my own place, I admit to slacking, esp. when it's "just" dressage.

But do you really wear a vest for everything? How about the rest of you--how many folks wear a vest EVERY time they ride??

Something to think about, for sure!

--Becky

[Glenbaer]

But do you really wear a vest for everything? How about the rest of you--how many folks wear a vest EVERY time they ride??

I may not count because I already posted, but yup, every ride. Until this past summer, I typically wore a vest for cross-country (of course), some stadium jumping, and with starting/working the babies and greenies. In September, I was launched and crashed hard (i.e., actually cracked the shell of the helmet) off a typically placid, happy-go-lucky 17.3h warmblood. The vest kept me from completely destroying my shoulder, collarbone, and scapula, and instead I only had an AC separation that took 2 months of recovery, sans riding. That time period cost me a lot, and I can't fathom if the accident had been worse.

Since then, just knowing how quickly everything happened, I don't take any chances. To me, it's not worth the risk to ride without it, and it only takes 5 seconds to get, put on, and zip up. One never knows when something might go wrong (they're called "accidents" for a reason; if we knew it was coming, we'd prepare or change plans :)). Ok, proselytizing finished for the day.

[Flying Hippotamus]

I'm thinking about it now too. I had one lately where a vest may have saved me some bruises (but how often does your horse get hit by a car right underneath you?).
I ride in the indoor alot now and the footing is soft but the walls are hard. Anyway I was thinking about it but up here in area 2 it takes me 20 minutes to get dressed everyday. I wondering if my vest will fit over my: thermal undershirt, turtleneck, longsleeve T, fleece or sweater and then my jacket. I definitely put it on the first few times I rode the filly.

[TinkerBells]

(but how often does your horse get hit by a car right underneath you?).

WOW :eek::eek::eek:

[purplnurpl]

I wear a vest every time. I also like the back support.
Just last week one of the steadiest trail horses I ride spooked at the Christmas decorations in his front yard and was spinning under a tree next to a fence. I thought I was commin off for sure.
It's not the fall but WHAT you fall on!!

The only exception is flat work with my Booms. But he's my youngin and I've been his human in the saddle for a good 4.5 years now. I wore a vest for at least the first 6 months or so on the flat after starting him.

Since he's been off I've started several more three year olds and become even more addicted to the vest.


And for myself on XC whatever I end up with next (I'm toying with Exo or Rodney) will have shoulder pads.
Why not save your shoulder/collar bone by 80%? Seems a no brainer to me.


I also highly recommend all parents to put their little one's in a vest. Why not?
You're gonna fall off over and over again. Just like you fell down over and over again when learning to walk.
; )

[pooh]

to the question asked by Glenbaer - yes you can show in a vest as it is in the catagory of safety equipment. There was actually a huge discussion over on the H/J boards about it too. I was amazed at the amount that felt vests were inapporiate in the H/J ring!! Or that they were only for beginners. I would actually applaud anyone who wore one for competitions besides cross country.
I wore mine in dressage tests over the spring when my horse was being very naughty. I always wear it in stadium and obviously cross country.

[retreadeventer]

Speaking of safety...did you know that an ASTM helmet is NOT required of a junior rider in the dressage phase of a horse trial or three day event? Nor is it required of juniors at USDF dressage shows. Yes indeedy.

[ksbadger]

Thanks for posting this, Kristen. (I'm Becky from AreaV!). I USED to be great about wearing a helmet all the time...but now that I'm at my own place, I admit to slacking, esp. when it's "just" dressage.

But do you really wear a vest for everything? How about the rest of you--how many folks wear a vest EVERY time they ride??

Something to think about, for sure!

--Becky

Mrs KS once came off her TB doing dressage in the indoor after roofers started pounding above her - she would have been much more severely injured if she hadn't been wearing an approved helmet. As it was, she crushed a vertebrae (no vest). Talking about this to two local DQs she found out they had both had horrendous back injuries from dressage ride accidents. Needless to say that when Mrs KS started riding the PSG schoolmaster she wore both vest & helmet. Lucky she did, "Miss Velcro Butt" (it takes a lot to get her off) got dumped within two minutes.

[JER]

A body protector is very windproof and will help keep you warm. Very nice on cold mornings.

Vests are also good for farm labor, like clearing branches or pushing back berry canes. You can lean into the branches without getting mauled. Same goes for opening gates with barbed wire loop closures on trail rides.

Its funny how we have this stigma about protective gear. In mountain biking and BMX, protective gear is cool -- you know, the kind of kit that makes you look better than you are. Back protectors and leg protection are also more common in snowboarding now too.

I also always wear a helmet when I'm wrapping legs or treating wounds in the barn by myself. Why take a chance -- especially when your family won't come looking for you until they need you to do something for them. :)

[snoopy]

Not one day nor one ride since 1982 that I have not worn a hard hat with harness when riding....not once. When body protectors came into play I always wore one at home when jumping/hacking and with some horses on the flat. I will admit in the dressage phase of an event not so much, but have on occasion. My dressage and stadium coats have room for the vest to be worn underneath them and I do/did wear the vest. A fall is a fall....regardless of what you may or may not be doing. Better safe then sorry. We never know what can send our friends off the deep end/lose their footing/trip/spook/shy/run off....best be prepared for the fact of WHEN you will fall off not IF you will fall off.

One fall on XC for me many years ago (before vests) resulted in this laundry list of injuries:
broken jaw
dislocated shoulder
broken collarbone
broken arm
broken back (transverse processes)
broken leg.

Wear a vest when ever you can...and I second the addition of shoulder pads. I have a rodney powell and the soulder pads can be added or removed. Funny that, but americans do not seem to wear the shoulder pads, whilst in europe they are quite common.

[Jeannette, formerly ponygyrl]

A body protector is very windproof and will help keep you warm. Very nice on cold mornings.

Vests are also good for farm labor, like clearing branches or pushing back berry canes. You can lean into the branches without getting mauled. Same goes for opening gates with barbed wire loop closures on trail rides.



They also provide a nice bit of floatation if your pony happens, for instance, to step into water over his head in the middle of a creek crossing during a foxhunt. Ask me how I know...

[TikiSoo]

in the barn by myself. Why take a chance -- especially when your family won't come looking for you until they need you

Yup. I ride alone 90% of the time. I always wear a helmet and chaps. I take my share of spills and find my legs end up being most vulnerable; knees, ankles, etc.
This thread has me thinking I'd like a vest too. And *yay* to the idea that protective gear looks cool like other extreme sports!

[Guyot]

I have had a bad experience with one too!

I was riding a clients horse that was known for rushing off when you got on then refusing to move, then bucking like crazy. Well first ride the client is worried about me (ha, me too!!) wants to use a western saddle so I have stuff to hold onto.... and me to wear my vest. Of course I was already wearing an approved helmet. I was surprised about the request for the vest and the western saddle, but hey I thought the horse might be hurting and the western saddle would disperse my weight better, so what the heck. Vest I didn't give a thought to, client wants me in it, so put it on.

Long story short... Well the next 5 minutes of my life were extremely scary because of my vest!! Got on horse, horse refused to move, and then he exploded...and I'm talking 17.2h of pissed of athletic Irish SH! Well after the first bucking spree and barely staying on I got him to stop and helpers rushed over so I could get off...as I get off he starts to go again with three people holding onto him... my vest gets caught on the saddle horn, now I'm stuck hanging off the side and my own weight is holding me captive. Horse is spinning with four of us hanging off him. Thankfully he was spinning and bucking away from me so when my zipper went on my vest I fell away from him! (vest does fit.. have to suck in breath to zip it)

I'm just saying that even with all the protective gear in the world horses can and will hurt you. I do wear my vest but life is going to happen, if I worried about every time I got on a horse, I'd be a basket case, and would probably stop riding. The most broke quiet horse in the world can drop dead just walking... and that fall could kill you. If we as riders thought about what could happen everyday, we wouldn't ride.

PS I rode the horse because the vet needed to see the behavior and we couldn't simulate without the rider... horse is now fine, sore hocks/stifles and needed injections... he is off in college with his kid and back to eventing Intermediate.

[snoopy]

I have had a bad experience with one too!

I was riding a clients horse that was known for rushing off when you got on then refusing to move, then bucking like crazy. Well first ride the client is worried about me (ha, me too!!) wants to use a western saddle so I have stuff to hold onto.... and me to wear my vest. Of course I was already wearing an approved helmet. I was surprised about the request for the vest and the western saddle, but hey I thought the horse might be hurting and the western saddle would disperse my weight better, so what the heck. Vest I didn't give a thought to, client wants me in it, so put it on.

Long story short... Well the next 5 minutes of my life were extremely scary because of my vest!! Got on horse, horse refused to move, and then he exploded...and I'm talking 17.2h of pissed of athletic Irish SH! Well after the first bucking spree and barely staying on I got him to stop and helpers rushed over so I could get off...as I get off he starts to go again with three people holding onto him... my vest gets caught on the saddle horn, now I'm stuck hanging off the side and my own weight is holding me captive. Horse is spinning with four of us hanging off him. Thankfully he was spinning and bucking away from me so when my zipper went on my vest I fell away from him! (vest does fit.. have to suck in breath to zip it)

I'm just saying that even with all the protective gear in the world horses can and will hurt you. I do wear my vest but life is going to happen, if I worried about every time I got on a horse, I'd be a basket case, and would probably stop riding. The most broke quiet horse in the world can drop dead just walking... and that fall could kill you. If we as riders thought about what could happen everyday, we wouldn't ride.

PS I rode the horse because the vet needed to see the behavior and we couldn't simulate without the rider... horse is now fine, sore hocks/stifles and needed injections... he is off in college with his kid and back to eventing Intermediate.




Yes it is important to note that the safey equipment available today makes riding SAFER not SAFE. It is a risk we take, but why not lesson the risk and wear your kit everytime.

[purplnurpl]

I have had a bad experience with one too!


... my vest gets caught on the saddle horn, now I'm stuck hanging off the side and my own weight is holding me captive. Horse is spinning with four of us hanging off him. Thankfully he was spinning and bucking away from me so when my zipper went on my vest I fell away from him! (vest does fit.. have to suck in breath to zip it)



That's the fault of the dang western saddle! Though I ride in them I'm very vulnerable in them.
If a horse bucks with me and I'm in a western saddle I will always come off. And am almost always bruised from all that dang leather and the very unsafe saddle horn. Unless you are dragging stuff (cows, timber) it’s useless anyway.

Now a nice English jumping saddle? I have something to close my knees on and I can stick with a bucker.

I also always wear all my gear when lunging young horses and always wear my helmet no matter who I'm lunging.

I learned that by almost getting knocked out when trying to bridle a baby. Yup, I work with babies on the ground with my helmet and vest on as well.

It's pretty funny actually when I do my house calls. When driving from house to house I usually am wearing my helmet and vest in my truck. I don't bother undressing inbetween when the weather is cool enough. It's kind of a dorky picture.

[TinkerBells]

I have had a bad experience with one too!

I was riding a clients horse that was known for rushing off when you got on then refusing to move, then bucking like crazy. Well first ride the client is worried about me (ha, me too!!) wants to use a western saddle so I have stuff to hold onto.... and me to wear my vest. Of course I was already wearing an approved helmet. I was surprised about the request for the vest and the western saddle, but hey I thought the horse might be hurting and the western saddle would disperse my weight better, so what the heck. Vest I didn't give a thought to, client wants me in it, so put it on.

Long story short... Well the next 5 minutes of my life were extremely scary because of my vest!! Got on horse, horse refused to move, and then he exploded...and I'm talking 17.2h of pissed of athletic Irish SH! Well after the first bucking spree and barely staying on I got him to stop and helpers rushed over so I could get off...as I get off he starts to go again with three people holding onto him... my vest gets caught on the saddle horn, now I'm stuck hanging off the side and my own weight is holding me captive. Horse is spinning with four of us hanging off him. Thankfully he was spinning and bucking away from me so when my zipper went on my vest I fell away from him! (vest does fit.. have to suck in breath to zip it)

I'm just saying that even with all the protective gear in the world horses can and will hurt you. I do wear my vest but life is going to happen, if I worried about every time I got on a horse, I'd be a basket case, and would probably stop riding. The most broke quiet horse in the world can drop dead just walking... and that fall could kill you. If we as riders thought about what could happen everyday, we wouldn't ride.

PS I rode the horse because the vet needed to see the behavior and we couldn't simulate without the rider... horse is now fine, sore hocks/stifles and needed injections... he is off in college with his kid and back to eventing Intermediate.

Not to hijack, but this brings to mind that everyone should make sure they wear proper coats and jackets for riding! I had a very similar experience because my jacket that I was wearing was very slightly too short at the waist and got hooked on the saddle horn! Yes .... I was riding Western.

[asterix]

well, I've posted about this before, but I always wear my vest in stadium, and it made me really sad to see the snarky looks I got when I wore it for prelim last year. It's now "ok" to wear it on one-days when you are going straight to xc, but when I did a 2 day, D/SJ day one, XC day 2, had to wear my jacket, and put my vest on over top -- yeah. Got the "go home and learn to ride" looks.

But we can ALL use a reminder. I had not gotten around to using my vest when I jump at home -- and THAT'S where I had my worst crash ever, a rotational fall. Turns out all I hurt was my finger, bizarrely, but it made me realize that I should be wearing the vest every time I jump. From now on for sure.

[Kementari]

I wear a helmet every time, every ride, absolutely no exceptions. If I hop up bareback to hang out for a few minutes or ride in from the back corner of the pasture, it's in a helmet (this has led to some long walks when I forgot to take my helmet down with me :lol:). As a kid/young teen, I didn't wear one for showing western (as it Wasn't Done), but by 17 or so I had worked out that my head was more important than blue ribbons (and, honestly, the little western I've done since then I've never noticed pinning lower than I deserved when wearing a helmet, anyway). :yes:

I am moving towards the vest every ride. I used to wear it just for xc, but realized that I had no good argument for NOT wearing it more often. I've been wearing it every ride this winter, as I'm riding alone in less-than-ideal footing. I don't know how I'll hold up once it's hot out - I don't mind my CO for XC in the heat (as long as I'm fit, I don't even notice it), but I wouldn't be surprised to find that it makes a 4 hour energetic trail ride in the heat/humidity somewhat unpleasant. We'll see - if it's doable, I'll be doing it. I'm also not sure about dressage at shows, as when I sit really deep my vest does start to hit a little on the cantle, which I can live with at home...but at shows I don't need anything ELSE interfering with my ride. :lol: I also, regrettably, can't wear it for gymkhana, as it simply doesn't fit with my western saddle. I've considered getting a rodeo-type vest for that, but the last time I looked they were all decidedly un-ventilated, which would land me in the ER with heat stroke after a full day of gaming. :eek: Hopefully, they will get better as time goes by (possibly they already have - it's been a couple of years since I last looked).

[RacetrackReject]

OK, not to hijack this thread, but I am about to restart my OTTB after several months off for injury and I plan to live in a vest. I'm looking at either the RP or CO but where I live there is nowhere local to try one on and I have uumm a rather freakisly large chest and small ribcage (like 34F bra..sigh), so I was wondering if anyone would recommend one over the other for my body type. Otherwise I'm 5'8, long legs and arms, not such a long body.

[rivenoak]

I have uumm a rather freakisly large chest and small ribcage (like 34F bra..sigh), so I was wondering if anyone would recommend one over the other for my body type. Otherwise I'm 5'8, long legs and arms, not such a long body.

First, strap yourself into an Enell LastResort bra! :yes: Then, after you're as compressed as possible, you'll get a vest to go on. The vest sides are adjustable in some manner.

I'll admit that I struggle to get mine zipped due to the same problem, 'though I'm not quite as endowed as you, but same ribcage & not much torso. What I need to do is play around with loosening the sides, zipping up the front, then retightening the sides.

It can be done!

[catmchorse]

Hmm. I wear a helmet every time I ride (okay, sometimes I hop on bareback to warm my butt up and don't grab a helmet). I wear a vest every time I'm schooling/riding XC.

After reading this thread, I'm giving serious thought to just wearing my vest for every ride, especially when jumping. It's not like the extra layer is a burden when it's cold outside anyway :D

[JER]

OK, not to hijack this thread, but I am about to restart my OTTB after several months off for injury and I plan to live in a vest. I'm looking at either the RP or CO

You can order the CO in different sizes for the front and back parts -- like a M front with a S back. This might be your best bet. I'd advise calling/emailing CO directly about this.

[purplnurpl]

OK, not to hijack this thread, but I am about to restart my OTTB after several months off for injury and I plan to live in a vest. I'm looking at either the RP or CO but where I live there is nowhere local to try one on and I have uumm a rather freakisly large chest and small ribcage (like 34F bra..sigh), so I was wondering if anyone would recommend one over the other for my body type. Otherwise I'm 5'8, long legs and arms, not such a long body.

The Rodney Powell comes in Elite and Elite Pro. Pro being for curves. : )
I emailed the company last week asking them about the two vests. Most women on the board say go with the Elite Pro. But I'm pretty tight. Bust 36, rib cage 34, waist 31 or 32. I'm a sausage.
I gave the RP peeps those measurements and they said go with the regular ol' Elite.

Don't forget the shoulder protectors!

[jetandmegs4]

Where can you get the Rodney Powell? I have a vest to school in (one of the $100 ones I forget what brand) but I'm looking for something a bit nicer.

[RacetrackReject]

Thanks! I never really thought about calling the company...duh on my part.

I don't really have curves, just boobs. My hips are non-existent and from the front and back, I'm shaped like a boy.. no curves. If turn sideways, that's a whole 'nother story..lol.

Thanks again!

[purplnurpl]

boobs = curves silly.

http://www.powellprotec.com/

If you don't want the Pro you can get the flatter Elite style at VTO.
The peeps from the acutal company are great though. Turn around after they have received measurements is 14 days.

[JER]

boobs = curves silly.


I'm not sure what you mean. Is it:

Boobs are not curves?
Boobs are curves but both are silly?
Boobs are silly curves?

[B-Man]

I once broke ribs when my lovely fresh horse bucked me off during a XC schooling...and I was wearing my vest. Super Glad I was wearing it! Would have been much worse it not.

[ezmissg]

OK, not to hijack this thread, but I am about to restart my OTTB after several months off for injury and I plan to live in a vest. I'm looking at either the RP or CO but where I live there is nowhere local to try one on and I have uumm a rather freakisly large chest and small ribcage (like 34F bra..sigh), so I was wondering if anyone would recommend one over the other for my body type. Otherwise I'm 5'8, long legs and arms, not such a long body.

I just purchased an Airowear Outlyne for the same reason (though not quite as extreme ;) ). It is made for women, even has darts, etc. I looked at their website, followed all their measuring guidelines, and then emailed the measurements to them (I was in the "borderline" range on a couple of measurements). They told me what size I needed, and told me that Adams Horse Supply carried it, so I ordered from there...about $280.

I REALLY like the fit, and I found it to be very comfortable by the second ride. (also, Beta Class 3!)

Someone here posted recently about Amira Equi (UK) having great prices, and I was dismayed to see that they have the same vest for about $170 US. Man, do I wish I had known about that 2 months ago! :eek:

[Right on Target]

I have no idea what is in style, but I have had two different vests (10 yrs old), and I like the Tipperary with the laces up the side, lots of smaller foam panels, and a zipper up the front. I felt that I could really get it to sculpt to my body. The ones with larger panels look more like a boating life jacket and not as flexible or comfortable. --How often are you supposed to replace vests? I assume that the foam must break down at some point.

As far as wearing helmets, I always wear a helmet for jumping-even the tiny things I jump. For trail riding I usually won't wear a helmet unless I'm on a problem horse or a baby who's actions are questionable.

I'll wear a vest the first few times on a baby or OTTB who is newly off the track. Back in the day, I was tossed a few times in the vest while galloping at the track and I think it really helped (plus the soft sand based ground was cushiony). I landed flat on my back most of the times, and I got up and wasn't even sore later-just embarrassed.

[purplnurpl]

I have no idea what is in style, but I have had two different vests (10 yrs old), and I like the Tipperary with the laces up the side, lots of smaller foam panels, and a zipper up the front. I felt that I could really get it to sculpt to my body. The ones with larger panels look more like a boating life jacket and not as flexible or comfortable. --How often are you supposed to replace vests? I assume that the foam must break down at some point.



The bold highlight is what is not the best about that vest and the reason it is not accepted in Europe.

My Tipperary is going on 9 years or so. The zipper busted two weeks ago and I had to rush it to a seamstress (I could not work withtout it). She did a terrible job but the best job possible. Tipperary makes replacing zippers really hard.

Hence the reason I've been shopping around.

I really wanted a Airowear. But are they both Beta and ATSM certified? I was told not.
I want to buy one that has both certifications because I bet sometime in the next decade they will be mandatory.

[Blue Yonder]

I love my Airowear. Per Bit of Britain's website, "vests conform to current strict ASTM F1937-98 and Beta 2000 safety standards." If memory serves, a colored label indicates the "level" to which vests are certified and I don't think the Airowear was the highest level, but it beats the heck out of the old Tipperary, even in the TX heat.

[ezmissg]

I love my Airowear. Per Bit of Britain's website, "vests conform to current strict ASTM F1937-98 and Beta 2000 safety standards." If memory serves, a colored label indicates the "level" to which vests are certified and I don't think the Airowear was the highest level, but it beats the heck out of the old Tipperary, even in the TX heat.

According to everything I have been able to find, the new Outlyne is also ASTM certified. And, yes, Beta 3 is purple, which appears to be the highest as well (again based on everything I can find). The Woof Exo is rated at both of these levels as well.

2008 US Olympic team wore Airowear; women got the new Outlyne. Wonder what they thought of it?

[riderboy]

Great thread. I wear my helmet and vest always while hacking and always when doing any jumping. For stadium, my wife and I are the only ones doing so in lessons or clinics. One of the surgeons I work with was bucked off his young filly on a trail ride and spent a couple of weeks in the hospital with broken ribs and a punctured lung. Broken rib ends are like knife blades and can easily drop a lung necessitating a chest tube to re-expand. He missed amonth of work but is doing well now. I couldn't help but think that he was lucky he didn't have a head injury and that a vest might have prevented all of his injuries. So many of our trail riders and self proclaimed "horse whisperers" seem very averse to safety gear. As well as a huge number of sport riders. Hell, get a Dressage magazine and you can count the pictures of riders wearing helmets on one maimed hand! I know thatsomeone makes a vest with a deployable air bag system, and you know, I thought about it!

[purplnurpl]

the new airowear


http://www.amirashop.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000099.cgi?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eamirashop% 2eco%2euk%2f&WD=outlyne%20airowear&SHOP=%20&PN=AiroWear_%2d_Outline_Body_Protector%2ehtml%23aA E545401#aAE545401

shoulders:

http://www.amirashop.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000099.cgi?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eamirashop% 2eco%2euk%2fcgi%2dbin%2fsh000099%2ecgi%3fREFPAGE%3 dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww%252eamirashop%252eco%252eu k%252f%26WD%3doutlyne%2520airowear%26SHOP%3d%2520% 26PN%3dAiroWear_%252d_Outline_Body_Protector%252eh tml%2523aAE545401&WD=outlyne%20airowear&SHOP=%20&PN=AiroWear_%2d_Accessories%2ehtml%23aAE545925#aAE 545925

Total would be 200 bucks + shipping.
: )

SOLD!!

[RacetrackReject]

Ooohh.. me too me too! Great deal!

[Kairoshorses]

First, strap yourself into an Enell LastResort bra! :yes: Then, after you're as compressed as possible, you'll get a vest to go on. The vest sides are adjustable in some manner.

I'll admit that I struggle to get mine zipped due to the same problem, 'though I'm not quite as endowed as you, but same ribcage & not much torso. What I need to do is play around with loosening the sides, zipping up the front, then retightening the sides.

It can be done!

I'm with you (though again, not as ample). But that is the BEST bra. Makes me feel like a guy. :-) Just don't wear it all day...OUCH!

[ezmissg]

the new airowear


http://www.amirashop.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000099.cgi?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eamirashop% 2eco%2euk%2f&WD=outlyne%20airowear&SHOP=%20&PN=AiroWear_%2d_Outline_Body_Protector%2ehtml%23aA E545401#aAE545401

shoulders:

http://www.amirashop.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000099.cgi?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eamirashop% 2eco%2euk%2fcgi%2dbin%2fsh000099%2ecgi%3fREFPAGE%3 dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww%252eamirashop%252eco%252eu k%252f%26WD%3doutlyne%2520airowear%26SHOP%3d%2520% 26PN%3dAiroWear_%252d_Outline_Body_Protector%252eh tml%2523aAE545401&WD=outlyne%20airowear&SHOP=%20&PN=AiroWear_%2d_Accessories%2ehtml%23aAE545925#aAE 545925

Total would be 200 bucks + shipping.
: )

SOLD!!

Congratulations! Sure wish I'd known of that when I bought mine!

[hamsterpoop]

I was wearing my vest this weekend when I got dumped in front of a 2'6" stadium fence. And of course,my helmet was on. Even though the fence was small the horse was tall and the vest (Rodney Powell) saved my a**. Hey, that was almost a poem! The fence was small-The horse was tall-.....I can't think of anymore to go with that! My point-WEAR YOUR VEST!

[purplnurpl]

Now I just need to learn to always wear my helmet when walking around a gooseneck trailer.
For some reason I never remember to duck when walking around the hitch end. lol.
Ball caps cut off 1/2 my vision.


Or maybe soccer shin guards when walking around the end of my truck.

: )

[sisu27]

Now I just need to learn to always wear my helmet when walking around a gooseneck trailer.
For some reason I never remember to duck when walking around the hitch end. lol.
Ball caps cut off 1/2 my vision.


Or maybe soccer shin guards when walking around the end of my truck.

: )


Thank god I'm not alone...whenever I wear a ballcap I hit my head getting in and out of golf carts....over and over and over again:(

[Kementari]

Or maybe soccer shin guards when walking around the end of my truck.

: )

This is what I need. I swear there are permanent dents in my shins from all the trailer hitches I've walked into in my life... :uhoh: :lol:

[OneFineMess]

I wear my vest when starting young horses, and for xc. On the last day of a long early spring xc clinic I came off my mammoth 17.2h leased mare THREE times. My whole body was really fatigued and tired and it seemed the horse felt the same....

I ended up on the downhill side of a bank, while lovely mare watched from above. This was the first jump the clinician presented us to, I don't think it was a wise choice on her part! This set the tone for the day.

Then I came off after losing a stirrup after a jump, D'oh.

And I came off again ON TOP of a big log just before the water complex. Lovely big mare got the front half of her over it, saw the water and decided to stop and BACK UP.

This was a few years ago and certainly I couldn't have more praise for vests! I came home with only sore muscles and a few bruises on my legs!

I have a 50+ aged student who wears a vest every ride now after being bucked off a big gelding. My advise to her was - make sure whatever vest you chose is COMFORTABLE. If it's not, you'll probably finding yourself saying that you'd rather go without.