Does anyone wear their safety vest for every ride? [Archive]

lovemytbs

Jul. 4, 2009, 10:39 PM

Risk-Averse Rider

Jul. 4, 2009, 11:08 PM

Not for every ride, but every time I "jump" (where "jump" is in quotes because we're currently talking 2' max on Mr. Blondie :lol:)

There was a woman at a previous barn who had had a bad crash, and wore her vest for every ride.

Didn't RAyers or Gnep recently post about wearing his EXO vest all the time to get used to it?

cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony

Jul. 4, 2009, 11:16 PM

Never wear a helmet unless jumping and never wear a vest unless I'm forced too.

cranky

Jul. 4, 2009, 11:23 PM

I don't. However, I had a bad fall back in March that didn't involve jumping that knocked me out for a second and hurt my left hip and shoulder (horse reared unexpectedly with me). I was wearing my jumping vest because I was headed out to ride cross-country -- I was actually trying out a horse for sale (needless-to-say, this was not the horse for me). Anyway, the shoulder was out of whack for about a week and the hip actually still hurts a little bit. I can't imagine how much worse it would have been if I hadn't been wearing my vest that day. I know that without the helmet I would have been toast, but I think that the vest also helped some too. I probably should wear it to ride all the time, but as a re-rider after 20 years, it's such a new concept to me that it's something I can't seem to force myself to do for every day.

ETA: I always wear a helmet however.

JER

Jul. 4, 2009, 11:44 PM

Yes.

I used to ride my old horses bareback without it but that's about it. For the last 15 years, I couldn't afford any downtime from my work and I usually lived alone with my horses, which meant I had to be able to take care of things. And so it followed that any extra safety precaution was welcome. I also always wore work gloves and steel-toe boots when handling horses.

But in general, I like wearing the vest. I don't worry about branches when out on trails and if I have to open a gate where there's barbed wire, I can lean into it without getting puncture wounds. I also like the extra layer of warmth and wind protection.

I do another sport where a ridiculous amount of protective gear is required (and for good reason), so the vest/helmet seem very minimal to me.

AKB

Jul. 5, 2009, 01:51 AM

I always wear the vest when I trail ride on my 6 year old.

Thomas_1

Jul. 5, 2009, 03:13 AM

Nope. Just for jumping solids so either cross country or hunting. Too restrictive and they do affect your position somewhat.

I always wear a hat though.

KateWooten

Jul. 5, 2009, 07:30 AM

I wore mine every ride after I got it for a year. I couldn't see any downside to it. My horses are all either babies or badly messed up restarts - my vest fits really well and I hardly even know it's there. I've even ridden my dressage test in it on occasion ! I have been leaving it in the barn a few times recently though, as we've focused more on dressage, and ponies seem all very settled.

BeverlyAStrauss

Jul. 5, 2009, 07:48 AM

I wear it for every ride. When I started my new guy eventing, I even put it under an old men's navy blue riding jacket for the warmup and dressage phase- now he is reliable enough that I dont wear it for that but do feel funny without it. Always a helmet too- have known two people who died from head injuries from really stupid falls on their seasoned horses......

tcgelec

Jul. 5, 2009, 08:10 AM

I used it for the first few rides on my young OTTB mare after a year layup. And was glad I did. Mine is too bulky and affects my position way too much to use it daily.

goeslikestink

Jul. 5, 2009, 08:34 AM

no i only wear mine when doing x/c or ht and one day day events
but always wear a hat and good boots

GilbertsCreeksideAcres

Jul. 5, 2009, 08:40 AM

I wear mine every ride. It doesn't affect my position, as some people say theirs do (maybe type or brand?). I really don't see why I shouldn't take advantage of every type of protection I can wear that doesn't interfere with my riding.

The fact that I have a bunch of newbies and greenies probably has influenced my decision, :sadsmile: but I probably always will wear it going forward.

lucky bunny

Jul. 5, 2009, 09:01 AM

My husband took the pro-vest argument and I tried to argue the con. The only reasons I could gather for NOT wearing a vest were:
-heat
-convenience

Compare these two small reasons with his Pro-vest list of reasons:
+safety
+health
+not wanting to go back to the hospital
+I'm at the age that when I fall; I don't bounce, I break.
+the young horse can't be trusted
+just because we promised to love each other through sickness and health, does NOT mean that we have to test it.
+safety and health (so important, they get to be on the list twice)

I lost this argument.
-------------------------------------------
I also lost the second argument about $:

The cost of vest is much less than the cost of a single ER visit.
-----------------------------------------

When I zip up, I think about how I lost the vest argument. By the time it warms up and molds to my body, I am always glad that I did.

I wear the vest every time I ride.
It is second nature; like helmet or a seatbelt.

riderboy

Jul. 5, 2009, 09:27 AM

I wear helmet ALWAYS and vest with all jumping and hacking. A surgeon I work with spent a week in the Hosital and a month off work after he got bucked off on a trail ride and broke several ribs and got a pneumothorax. The sharp ends of broken ribs can puncture lungs and blood vessels. So yes, I wear my vest a lot.

Whisper

Jul. 5, 2009, 11:37 AM

I usually wear a vest for jumping, even in the ring, and on trail rides. I don't usually wear one for flat/dressage lessons, and can't wear one or a helmet for vaulting.

easyklc

Jul. 5, 2009, 12:28 PM

I started wearing my vest on hacks after a bad fall on the trail two years ago. Plus, we need to ride on the road to get to some conditioning trails, so the idea of hitting pavement keeps it in persepctive. That said, yes I also wear it to school/ride xc.

Gnep

Jul. 5, 2009, 02:59 PM

The only time I do not wear a vest is doing flatwork and during stdium at shows, a vest and a jacket at 100 degree is a little to much.
Except for the Sandbox, Vest, I am starting to feel naked without it, like the seatbelt, feels strange to sit in a car without it.
Helmet the same.

Steeltoes when ever I handle horses

ThatScaryChick

Jul. 5, 2009, 03:01 PM

Nope.

KellyS

Jul. 5, 2009, 03:16 PM

I only used to wear it when schooling or competing cross country. However, when breaking our one pony, I wore it every ride for the first few weeks because he was a wee bit cold backed. ;)

I had pretty major kidney surgery 5 weeks ago and wore my vest for my first ride back on Friday. More so to protect the incisions in case anything freak happened.

It's the first time I've really been nervous to get back on a horse after surgery...but I had some complications 2 weeks after surgery, which resulted in passing out, hitting my head on a rock, getting a concussion, and spending 2 days in ICU waiting for an angiogram...I'm feeling a bit mortal right now!

And yes, I am cleared to ride...by my GP who knows I've been desperate to get back in the saddle. At this point, I should probably just wear a vest and helmet all the time. :winkgrin:

ddashaq

Jul. 5, 2009, 03:59 PM

I always wear my helmet, but I only wear the vest when required to do so. I really dislike all of the newer ones and find my Tipp only just tolerable. I need to force myself to get used to my Woof Ergo so it gets more use than hanging in a closet.

tcgelec

Jul. 5, 2009, 04:12 PM

vbunny

Jul. 5, 2009, 06:26 PM

We had to wear them at the track and if you do that you get used to them in no time. I even got to like mine in winter especially- nice and warm and it keeps the girls still. It certainly never affected my position either way, if it affects yours negatively you should a) get different one and b) consider the fact that there isn't much point schooling in something different than you compete in, especially if it does change your position. I'm just saying...
Anyhow, I have recommended to certain students to wear them at all times and I am surprised more people have such hang ups about them. Maybe some manufacturer should put some kind of a fashionable shell on them so people won't feel like they stand out.

Lori B

Jul. 5, 2009, 06:43 PM

always a helmet, sometimes the vest; however, horse has been stall-rested for 20 weeks and can come a little unglued, even in a quiet arena. It makes me more relaxed and confident, even when I probably don't need it. But in hot weather, it's a hard sell. Particularly when we start trotting again, I'll have it on, though, because I don't bounce either. My last fall left me sore for a month.

Gryhrs

Jul. 5, 2009, 07:41 PM

Helmet always. Vest just about everytime I jump. The only time I don't wear it is in stadium at shows. How vain is that? And trust me I don't have tons to me vain about!

I have fallen too many times to mention and the vest just gives me that extra layer. Sadly, It did not prevent a broken leg in one unfortunate incident so maybe I need to invest in an old English suit of armor.

luise

Jul. 5, 2009, 07:49 PM

Never wear a helmet unless jumping and never wear a vest unless I'm forced too.

Wow, you're brave. The last 3 falls I've had have been when flatting and my horse spooked and did a huge buck throwing me off. Twice when I fell I landed on my butt and the back of my head hit the ground. I can't imagine if I hadn't been wearing a helmet.

Ajierene

Jul. 5, 2009, 07:56 PM

This is meant solely as a question for clarification. I see that many say they wear steel toed shoes while around horses. When I began my horse "career" I was directed in no uncertain terms NEVER to wear steel toes around horses. My then trainer claimed that a horse could crush the steel toe cap, pinning the toes. I took his advice. I have developed a pretty good "toe curl" response in my paddock boots. Comments?

I would never wear steel toes around horses. My military job requires them and we still had someone loose a toe. He lost his pinky toe when a metal pallet rode over his toe and crushed the steel in the boots. This is a weird, way out of the ordinary incident that did involve a brand new kid not paying enough attention as well. That being said, while there are many good reasons to wear steel toes in that setting, the problem with wearing them around horses is that you are likely to get stepped on and a horse stepping on you is just as likely to bend the end of the steel as not.

Maybe if I was around a rank draft horse, but I have not ever had a horse do any real damage by stepping on my feet.

As far as my vest goes...well, it has a section in the back that goes to the end of my tailbone, so sitting back in it is difficult. It is great for cross country and being in a half seat most of the time, but not flat work. I only wear mine when cross country jumping is involved.

BarbB

Jul. 5, 2009, 08:16 PM

I finally taught myself to wear a helmet every ride. It was difficult for a while, I grew up without one.
I normally only wear the vest for cross country, I have the same issue as mentioned above, it doesn't let me sit deep in the seat, but I have a mare that I am rehabbing, so far only riding in a round pen and when we leave the small pen I think I will use the vest. I would feel like an idiot if I got tossed by a horse that I know might explode and broke a rib or something with my nice shiny vest hanging in the closet.
But normally, no.

allisontatman

Jul. 5, 2009, 09:24 PM

Interesting thread. I was thinking a lot about this when I started riding after having my baby. Everyone in my family is worried about a fall and me getting injured, so am I! I have back issues and I realize a vest doesn't totally protect you, but it's gotta help! I have a bulky CO for xc, but am seriously considering getting a lighter Tipperary for everyday use (will still use my approved CO for xc). Might be overkill, but I have more than just myself to think about now!

I'm also thinking about replacing my cheapie (but cool in summer!) plastic helmet with a more substantial one.

Lori B

Jul. 5, 2009, 10:31 PM

RiverBendPol

Jul. 6, 2009, 08:12 AM

Boy o boy, you guys. Now that I've read this thread, I might have to wear the vest. I think Emstah was wishing for hers last week when a gleeful BUCK pitched her and then the cantering feet went into the middle of her back! Better to have hoof prints on a vest than on flesh. We ALWAYS wear helmets, vests depend on the weather, the horse in question, the activity planned and looks in the eyes when we're tacking up...maybe we should become more regular with those comfy Rodney Powells! As for footwear, Crocs are the answer for me. The squishyness protects the toes and I can slip out of them if there is a heavy weight on top.

Gnep

Jul. 6, 2009, 09:10 AM

Steeltoes, ore work savety foot wear are rated at 2000 pounds and more load capacity. That takes a lot of horse to crush those.

VWBug

Jul. 6, 2009, 03:23 PM

Just about a month ago I decided to wear the vest along with the helmet every time I ride, whether I'm jumping or not. I paid enough for the darn thing - it may as well be put to use. And now it barely registers that I'm wearing it.

PennyChrome

Jul. 30, 2009, 01:18 AM

I hate them, and I only wear one if it's completely required

Donkey

Jul. 30, 2009, 01:41 AM

I made a promise to myself that for the first year that my horse was under saddle I would wear it every ride, flat included. Her first year ended a few weeks ago and I stopped wearing it for flat rides were she appears to be quite. I will continue to wear it for jumping and all hacks. And probably for each phase in her first few horse trials.

I got a bit of flack for it from some of the people in my barn but I want to be able to make it to work the next day if I hit the dirt. I find the vest really helps to minimize body soreness after a fall.

It did help for at least one unexpected dismount that occurred during a flat school during that first year.

sisu27

Jul. 30, 2009, 09:03 AM

I know the tipperary isn't as protective as some others, but it doesn't screw up my position as bad as the Charles Owen did, and it has definitely softened a couple of falls for me. For me, if it saves me a cracked rib, it's worth it. I don't wear it all the time, but when there's a reason to be above-average concerned about falling. I know, there's so many falls that happen at unlikely times, but improving the odds sometimes is better than never.

I have said this before and maybe it is just my justification for my Rodney Powell living in my tack locker in my garage and my Tipp getting worn but...there is no conclusive evidence/proof (that I can find) that a Tipp is any less protective. It won't certify due to the segments because of the risk of a puncture wound. Which, according to the people at Tipp, is a very rare thing.

I am getting better at wearing my vest all the time since I switched back to the Tipp. I couldn't imagine hacking on a hot day in the RP. I am nowhere near every ride but getting better.

JWB

Jul. 30, 2009, 09:07 AM

Wow... I see a mixed bag of answers. I'm curious about where all the people who regularly wear their vests are from.

I am in Florida and was working for a large stable that did a HUGE number of lessons. We had a family move to the area from the UK and take up lessons. Their kids showed up with vests and wore them every ride for the first few months.... They gave up on that idea around June though. I saw a LOT of people wearing them regularly for riding when I was living in England but have never seen anything like that here in FL. I don't think it's a cultural thing (UK vs US) so much as a temperature thing....

Of course people used to give the same excuses about helmets but over the years they've gotten lighter and cooler and more people wear them w/out question or complaint. I wonder if someone will invent a vest for us hot-weather riders.... But even the USPC, which is known for being SUPER safe, has not moved towards requiring vests for every ride. I think it would not fly here in the deep south!

purplnurpl

Jul. 30, 2009, 11:22 AM

Like your helmet? I was thinking of this today (when horse had BIG spook) and was wondering if anyone wore a vest all the time for safety, like a helmet? I assume that they will protect in a fall while flatting or stadium jumping just as they would over an xc fence. Does it make you feel safer? Is it totally unnecessary?

I am seriously considering doing this just to add to my safety level as I get "ahem" a little older!

I wear mine 80% of the time I'm on a horse.
At shows I am usually OK to wear it just running across country. But at home I'm on babies. I wear my vest even when riding western trail ponies.

Dramapony_misty

Jul. 30, 2009, 04:14 PM

Steeltoes, ore work savety foot wear are rated at 2000 pounds and more load capacity. That takes a lot of horse to crush those.

Agreed. I was told the same thing about the metal bending and cutting toes off at my college barn, but it never sat right with me. My father who is an engineer and Uncle who has spent his entire life in the construction business have both scoffed at this ridiculous notion. And a family friend deals with breeding stock bulls everyday...always has steel toed boots.

Sure...freak accidents can happen but if a horse steps on your foot hard enough to bend the steel and cut off a toe or two...face it. The bones in your foot would be toast anyway.

Does anyone have any good evidence/studies to back up the "steel toed boot" danger claim? :confused:

forestergirl99

Jul. 30, 2009, 04:32 PM

I always were a helmet, but I don't even have a vest. I will definitely get one before I go XC on my crazy beast though. :lol: I know people who wear one for every ride though. It's actually not a bad idea, but I just don't want to. I guess I haven't had a bad enough fall yet. haha.

forestergirl99

Jul. 30, 2009, 04:34 PM

Does anyone have any good evidence/studies to back up the "steel toed boot" danger claim? :confused:

I used to wear them all the time, and they were great. All my toes are still attached! :D

mjrtango93

Jul. 30, 2009, 05:46 PM

Does anyone have any good evidence/studies to back up the "steel toed boot" danger claim? :confused:

Well I am one of the few that have had my steel toe paddocks crushed by a horse! I was 13 and scrawny, and Gavin was big and strong. He was trying to get the peanut butter cookie from my mom when he stepped forward straight onto my foot and proceeded to stand there. It bent the steel into my foot, and while it didn't cut off any toes, we had to cut the sole off the paddock to get it off. I still have a line across where it cut into my skin 15 years later. So either the steel in those paddocks was not as strong as they say, or Gavin weighed a lot more then 2000# (I don't think that is the case though, he wasn't a draft or anything).

Aspire2JumpHigher

Jul. 30, 2009, 05:47 PM

After fracturing my sternum from top to bottom in a fall a couple years ago my doctor advised that I wear a vest for every ride…however I found it a bigger pain that anything else. However, I always wore it while jumping unless at home and on super soft sand.

HiddenStars826

Jul. 30, 2009, 08:45 PM

When going over fences, or planning to do fence work, whether cross country or otherwise (even just small grid work), I wear vest.
For every day, flat work? Usually not unless I'm having a day where I feel I should throw it on anyway.

I never used to, because I didn't have a vest. Now that I have one though I use it. Might as well.
But I know that it isn't a total "crutch". It won't protect me from everything, and as such I shouldn't expect it to. While it can reduce some of the damage done in many situations, it doesn't reduce the risk entirely.

Mine is rated for bull riding, and has shoulder pad-thingies. Its bulky for sure. Someone asked me once, who had never seen something like it, if it bothered me. I told them the truth- I actually really don't notice it anymore. It was a bit tough to get used to it the first time, but I forget I have it on now. The only time it is a pain in the butt and gets in the way (and usually makes me remember to take it off!) is when I'm on the ground working around the horse- tacking up/adjusting girth and stirrups. Then its awkward and in my way because of the motions, but otherwise I don't even know its there. I think I fidget with my helmet more than the vest!