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A Body Protector Provides Extra Safety
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Riders are vulnerable while riding and handling horses, especially for beginners. They may seem to be friendly but they can easily gallop or kick someone when not handled correctly.
Along with a riding hat, a body protector is also an important piece of equestrian clothing.
Apart from protecting your head, any rider should also protect their body. Against a powerful kick from a horse, any human can get thrown away like a dummy. Falls can not just injure your head but also break your spine. Riders can also suffer from damaging internal injuries during a bad fall.
Equestrian protection
Horses are prized in equestrianism but riders are equally as important. The rider's ability to handle the horse also has a big impact on its performance. Fortunately there is clothing that can protect them from injury.Body or back protectors are garments that protect the rider's chest and back. We all know that your spine is as important as your skull. Our spine contains the spinal vertebrae which contain our body's nerves from head to foot. Any injury to the spine can paralyze the rider. Our chest as well contains vital organs which need good protection.
The vest type clothing is filled with foam. They are worn over the top of the rider's clothes. They can also be worn under the jacket. It's good protection for the rider in case they fall during a ride or get kicked by the horse while handling them.
Injuries from a fall cannot be completely avoided but their impact can be reduced. Wearing body or back protectors will provide preventive measures against possible injuries while the rider is with the horse.
The protector is divided into two parts: the front and the back. The parts are held together with Velcro fittings on each side and over the shoulder. The protector should be fastened securely and confortably and should not move while riding. At first it may seem uncomfortable but the foam moulds to adapt to the rider's body shape and contour.
All protectors should conform to the appropriate safety standards. Riders should buy new and original ones for guaranteed protection.
There are three different types of protectors:
Level 2: The brown label. It provides medium protection. It's appropriate for general riding with low risks. This does not include riding on hard surfaces such as roads. Jumping over obstacles and riding young excitable horses are also excluded.
Level 3: The purple label. It offers the highest level of protection when riding horses. This includes normal and competitive horse riding. It's also used when handling horses.
Just like riding hats, back protectors should be replaced after three to four years. Second hand protectors are not advisable since their foam padding may have already been customised to fit someone else. Some back protectors have additional attachments such as shoulder pads.
No matter what your preferences are, prevention is still better than cure.
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