Can I hunt with my vest on?

[sisu27]

I am hoping to take my OTTB* hilltopping this season and it would probably be wise if I wore my crash vest. Is this acceptable? Thanks







*OTTB In response to Thomas' thread about the term...no I do not think I am especially skilled or special because my horse had a previous career, yes I do use the term in this application to indicate a degree of potentially erratic and possibly undesirable behaviour, yes I am proud of his lineage (love Slews) and yes I hope to encourage people to consider an OTTB as a viable option when considering their next mount. :winkgrin:

[altjaeger]

I think it is going to depend on the particular hunt. Contact the hunt secretary to find out.

[Romany]

If you can hide it underneath your jacket, that would be best, but if not, and it's a dark colour that matches your jacket, it shouldn't be a problem - we have riders who wear them, and in the grand picture of the field as a whole, they're invisible. Any Hunt nowadays that would nix a safety vest because of sartorial rules has its head firmly stuck in the sand, and is asking for a law suit.

If you look at photos of UK hunts you'll see that most, if not all, of the younger riders are wearing safety vests, and increasingly more of the adult riders wear them also. Try Horse & Hound's website for examples.

I like wearing mine on colder days - it's very warm and windproof!

[linquest]

Don't they make a safety vest that has the same color/cut as a regular hunting vest?

[Romany]

Yes - I think it's the Canadian manufacturer, Casel-Equi or similar? I seem to remember they're not BSI/ASTM approved, but they're better than nothing.

They're covered in a canary-coloured fabric - not sure if it's pukka doeskin or something more modern and stretchy.

I wear my black one over my black jacket, and from anything other than very close up it's not visible at all.

[Risk-Averse Rider]

Don't they make a safety vest that has the same color/cut as a regular hunting vest?Romany is correct--Casel-Equi makes (or at least used to make) a hunting style crash vest. It's a paneled vest (like their eventing vests and like the classic Tipperary with the laces up the side). The front has vest points and a velcro'd flap with brass buttons; the back is cut across at the waist, so it doesn't get in your way when you sit in the saddle.

And it's a little (but not much) thinner than the eventing model.

I have one in black that I wore when I was starting out**. They also come covered in canary wool (I think it's wool).

One of our whippers-in is coming back from some broken ribs, and she rode in her eventing vest Sunday (not whipping-in, just toodling along, much to the dismay of her former fieldmaster mare, who knew where SHE was suppoed to be, even if her silly rider didn't). Then again, we're quite loosey-goosey in our attire requirements, and people often ride in... <gasp>... Western saddles.



**Not that I'm not still starting out, mind you--still trying to get off the short bus :D

[wateryglen]

You need to ask the hon. sec./masters of the hunt you're guesting with imho. Doubt they'd mind provided it's not brightly colored. But I'd worry about the vest giving you a false sense of security out hunting. They won't prevent most common hunting injuries which are: concussions, broken clavicles, back injuries, broken coccyx. They provide padding but a lot of us don't need any extra of that!! :winkgrin:

[sisu27]

You need to ask the hon. sec./masters of the hunt you're guesting with imho. Doubt they'd mind provided it's not brightly colored. But I'd worry about the vest giving you a false sense of security out hunting. They won't prevent most common hunting injuries which are: concussions, broken clavicles, back injuries, broken coccyx. They provide padding but a lot of us don't need any extra of that!! :winkgrin:

Thanks...I will ask prior to. It is a solid black RP. I don't wear my vest unless going xc typically...certainly not dependant upon it. I am not worried about a false sense of security and I do need the extra padding...I'm scrawny. I do think a good vest, properly fitted will help prevent the list of injuries you've mentioned except for concussions...that's why I wear a good helmet. Guess I will have to ask about my J3 too or would a GPA Titium Extreme be ok? I much prefer the J3...I can put a black silk on it if it helps.

Thanks again.

[Romany]

Is the J3 one of the Charles Own crash helmets?

If it is, you can buy (or make) a velvet cover for it...just be warned that most of the standard velvet "silks" aren't quite big enough for the newer CO crash helmets. I had to special-order ours, and they cost a small fortune, so I resort to the black nylon CO cover that came with the helmet if it's rainy.

I wouldn't wear anything other than a crash helmet out hunting - why would I? But that's a debate for another day. ;) Quite a lot of our hunt members who ride competitively wear crash helmets when out hunting, interestingly enough.

[citydog]

I wouldn't wear anything other than a crash helmet out hunting - why would I?

Because they other styles of helmet are actually safer depending on brand (http://www.mdirf.co.uk/enhapresults/Enhap2006REVISED4ppA5v9.pdf)?

[JSwan]

Because they other styles of helmet are actually safer depending on brand (http://www.mdirf.co.uk/enhapresults/Enhap2006REVISED4ppA5v9.pdf)?

That's what I was thinking. I always thought the crash helmets were "the best". I was really surprised to find out they aren't.

You know, it would be really nice if all certified helmets had their ratings displayed on the box or on the label. Not just that they're certified, but how highly rated they are. Some of the most expensive helmets on the market have the lowest results. (GPA comes to mind) But.... that information is a bit dated I think so I don't know if that's still true.

[SteeleRdr]

Actually, according to that chart, the Champion "crash helmet" is one of the best. That's why I have one and have ridden in one for the past 10 years. I love the fit, but on top of that it has been a life saver. I invested in one even though it is not "approved" for use at US competitions because it's awesome and I use it at home and when I was riding 'chasers.

As for a cover, I didn't have to special order mine at all. Most all of the tack stores in Middleburg carry nice silk covers to fit the helmets or nice plain black nylon covers (non-spandex).

[JSwan]

Actually, according to that chart, the Champion "crash helmet" is one of the best. That's why I have one and have ridden in one for the past 10 years. I love the fit, but on top of that it has been a life saver. I invested in one even though it is not "approved" for use at US competitions because it's awesome and I use it at home and when I was riding 'chasers.

As for a cover, I didn't have to special order mine at all. Most all of the tack stores in Middleburg carry nice silk covers to fit the helmets or nice plain black nylon covers (non-spandex).

I'm thinking of the Charles Owen. I didn't check out the Champion.

It's one of my pet peeves - some of us compete as well as hunt (I don't show anymore but many do) and we're supposed to be using stuff approved for use in the US.

It would be nice if the consumer could see how a particular helmet performed in a test. Some do better on certain tests than others.

The eventers are up to speed on the current stuff - I'm out of the loop these days.

[Romany]

Because they other styles of helmet are actually safer depending on brand (http://www.mdirf.co.uk/enhapresults/Enhap2006REVISED4ppA5v9.pdf)?

Great link...or, it could be, if they'd explained a bit more about what tests they did, how they conducted them, etc; 3, 4, or 5 stars according to helmet size isn't very helpful.

I realise they were probably restricted by a tighter budget than, say, Consumers Reports, but still, some illumination would be instructive.

And...in saying "why wouldn't I," I meant in comparison to, say, Pateys, bowlers, etc, which look charming and afaik have had no independent safety tests, but many people have ridden in them for years without injury; each to their own, and it's purely a matter of personal choice for consenting adults, I'd say. Sorry not to have been - well, more illuminating!

[Thomas_1]

If you can't, then make a trip to the UK where you would be very welcome and wearing a safety body protector and a safety hat of International Safety Standard is pretty much the norm. ;)

[BEARCAT]

What is the proper way to wear said vest?
I am planning on going tomorrow on my 5 year old, and will wear my vest.
I tried it on under a white turtle neck, with my black hunt coat on top. Would that be okay?
From afar, except for making me look like a humpback, it looks okay I think...
I could wear it on top af a white shirt, but it's green and seems kinda bright...

[BEARCAT]

This is what my vest looks like:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL176/4853602/20795519/342105383.jpg

[Bravestrom]

we wear vests hunting, hacking and when ever we jump.

[BEARCAT]

we wear vests hunting, hacking and when ever we jump.

Right... but I want to know HOW to wear it!!

[JSwan]

Wear it under your coat in a manner that is comfortable. If you wear it under your shirt - it's going to be a PITA to get off after hunting unless you want to give everyone an eyeful. :lol:

Hopefully the color won't show - but if you're a guest you usually get cut a lot of slack. If for some reason you see a member swooning at seeing a hint of green under your coat..... just throw some cold water on her. ;)

Have fun and be safe.

[Bravestrom]

we wear them on top - never even thought of it being an issue personally.

[BEARCAT]

Cool - thanks!

I WAS going to wear another shirt under it!!! ;)
I just found an oversize white turtle neck in hubby's closet that fits perfect OVER...
It's only supposed to be in the high 30s, low 40s, so I don't mind the extra layer.
I guess I can decide when I get there....

[wateryglen]

Or......you could come hunt with the Snobbington Hunt....we actually prefer loud neon colored ones.....to match our saddlepads!!! :D:D:lol: It's what you're wearing underneath one that really matters. I mean...when the EMT's cut it off you in the ambulance; you don't wanna give them a scare!!! :eek:
And we have ambulances at ALL our meets!! :yes:

[JSwan]

Yes, please don't wear anything that would cause embarrassment when your clothes are cut off.

I had to go home once after I was hoisted by my horse's curb hook and my pants ripped - revealing the most ratty looking pair of granny underwear I owned. Thank you, horse. Thank you very much. Guess that was payback for roaching his mane on a dare.

What is it with EMT's and scissors?????? :lol::lol::lol: Not the boots! Not the boots!! Don't cut the boots!!!