Does wearing a body protector, make you feel more confident or less confident?

[newforest]

q in title, i know some people don't like them and some people do.

So if you are a wearer does it make you feel confident to attempt things maybe you wouldn't, or just peace of mind.

if you are a non wearer as don't like them, if you had to use one would it hinder your riding and make your more worried.

[xloopylozzax]

i've never worn one, and dont think i will, unless i have to (for XC)

it would make me feel restricted, less supple or balanced and just plain odd :)

[Noodle88]

Ditto this! Dont get why we really need them for XC, think im more likely to fall off with one on!

[midnightmare]

never worn one whilst riding and never really want to, they would make me feel incredibly un-confident and you can probably guess why, the reason i always feel un-confident :p :o

[beating_hooves]

Neither, they just make me feel safer :)

ETA: Only wear it for all XC, and SJ competitions.

[Beck]

In a way I prefer to wear my BP, it makes me feel safe and I feel kind of unsteady without it. The people I ride with don't wear theirs, but I always make sure I do. I won't jump without my BP :).

[happyhacker101]

I've given up wearing mine as it made me less confident. Although, if I were to grow b@lls and start doing something like xc then yes, I'd be digging in out from the depths of the tack room and wearing it again.

[*GroovyGallop*]

In a way I prefer to wear my BP, it makes me feel safe and I feel kind of unsteady without it. The people I ride with don't wear theirs, but I always make sure I do. I won't jump without my BP :).

Ditto :)
If i feel im going to be faced with a pony or situation that may have me off, i'll wear it.

[newforest]

For competiting xc you need one as you do for training sessions.

But i don't even know i'm wearing mine, so i thought it was due to it being a great fit, bit like a bra you don't know your wearing one. They should not feel restrictive and if they do they are not the right one for you.

I sometimes wear it, mainly for jumping and if i do any xc.

[CrisO]

I feel I do lose some flexibility with it so don't wear it day to day certainly doesn't make me feel less or more confident. However when I was bringing my young tb back into work after 6 months box rest and no turnout I did wear it for a couple of weeks.
I'll wear it for cross country.
Mines a racesafe so relatively flexible compared to others i have tried.
On the plus side I don't need a sports bra with it on.

[amandal]

When I had no confidence I always wore it as I knew it wouldn't hurt when I fell off - I was always convinced i would fall off, and when I did (not as often as I thought) it didn't hurt.

Then my confidence came back and shedding the bp was an important part of that for me, to be able to ride without it was a big step.

Backing my youngster I've been wearing it again just to keep myself safe. Glad I did as when I did come off her I would have hurt more of my back than my cocyx and that hurt enough.

[x-Marmite-x]

I will admit that it's almost my safety net sometimes :o. I used to wear it just because I was terrified of falling, then it was a case of 'the day I take it off will be the day a horse chucks me into a post and rail fence' :o - really thinking S*d's Law. In the end I decided that the physical presence of the BP in terms of making me feel more confident actually wasn't doing anything - it was the paranoia of taking it off and how much I'd be kicking myself if I fell off the first time I took it off :p. Now I only ride with it if I actually plan to jump or if Toby's feeling very jittery and spooky - more out of common sense and probability rather than fear. It did used to be my little kind of security device, like a comforter :p. Some people will call me bananas for actively weaning myself off a safety device, but personally for me it was an important step in regaining (and recognising the gain in) my confidence :).

[Wall_eyed]

It doesn't make me feel any more or less confident. I am realtively self aware so I am happy with my ability and the body protector doesn't change that. Therefore I only wear the body protector if I know that the risk of my harming myself has been increased (i.e. riding an unfamiliar horse or jumping) or if the risk of injury if I do fall off is higher (e.g onto fences). I know there is always a risk but although it doesn't get in the way things are usually slightly easier without it. :)

[Daffy Dilly]

I used to feel more confident, but I'd always forget I had it on so I don't know how that works! How can you have a placebo effect if you don't know you've got a placebo in the first place? :p

I'm a very nervous rider these days, and if I thought a body protector would settle my nerves I'd buy another, but as mine no longer fits it's an expensive theory to test out.

[MelanieD]

I've worn one a few times to try to get used to wearing one and tried to persuade myself that there are some situations where I should be wearing one but I still hate them and still don't wear one when I probably should. Wearing a bp restricts my movement and makes me feel less secure as well as just being plain irritating to wear.

[~*sugarlump*~]

Makes me feel more confident, unless I'm doing flat where it doesn't really affect me much :)

[xloopylozzax]

can i pose another question-

do those who wear one regularily, worry that they become too dependant on them?

i dont see them the same as a hat before that argument appears...

[~*sugarlump*~]

do those who wear one regularily, worry that they become too dependant on them?



Maybe, but I don't think I am. I don't wear one when hacking or doing flatwork. I basically only wear it for jumping and hunting. Although have jumped a fair few times without it I prefer to jump with it just in case. And also it saves me from having to invest in a sports bra :o

[ShariN]

Having a BP that fits perfectly makes all the difference in the world.

I wear a Charles Owen and I feel more confident wearing it.:D

I use a BP because I had a major accident 2 1/2 years ago, having gone 35+ years riding without a major wreck. I had only started wearing a helmet the year before and I will tell you, without that helmet I won't be here writting to the forum now. Helmet did its job.
Have done research and have even written an article for a Mag on the BP's and I seriously feel the Beta 3/ASTM rated vests can save a person going through what I did. Hospital, nursing home and still not fully healed. These kinds of accidents ruin a person's life... and after 35+ years of riding, I thought an accident could never happen to me...oh was I so very wrong.

I don't depend on the BP any more than I do my helmet but I feel they do offer some protection. And will continue to ride wearing them, each and every ride.

[elliebelly]

makes me feel safer to although since piling on the pounds need to get a new one that fits :o

[Stassy]

I haven't worn one but I will when the youngsters get backed. I would like to think I would be more confident wearing one certainly more protected which is important the older you get!

[NightRider]

I haven't worn one riding yet, but in the store I know that I felt good wearing it. I think it would make me more confident but then again I tend to be kinda fearless and just go for it lol:rolleyes:

[Hullabaloo]

I don't really think about it in those terms. I only usually wear mine for cross country - its just part of my xc kit.
I don't wear it for anything else as it doesn't make me feel any more confident. I did use it whenever I jumped when my horse was younger and a bit green, but don't bother any more as I feel comfortable jumping without it.

[palmerlover52]

It makes me feel like a little kid dressing up as a robot in the box from this mornings cornflakes, to be honest :p

[nirikina]

I used to wear my body protector every ride without fail, then I stopped wearing it after I'd had Connor about 6 months as I trust him more now, or at least I can predict when he's going to spook or go loopy. But I would put it back on if I was going to ride a strange horse.

[A-Spotty-Pony]

i hate wearing them! never really do, so uncomforatable, but if i have one on i feel safer!

[Flony_Pony]

I got mine nearly 2 years ago. I wore it alot as it made me feel safer on Jess, however I know I don't ride as well in it as I did without it, I wear it for my jumping lessons BUT after I fell off, I wouldn't ride without it!

[Bessy]

It doesn't make me feel any more or less confident. I am realtively self aware so I am happy with my ability and the body protector doesn't change that. Therefore I only wear the body protector if I know that the risk of my harming myself has been increased (i.e. riding an unfamiliar horse or jumping) or if the risk of injury if I do fall off is higher (e.g onto fences). I know there is always a risk but although it doesn't get in the way things are usually slightly easier without it. :)

Couldn't put it better myself. It is very much a risk assessment more than anything. I can't risk being laid up with an injury that could have been prevented by wearing one. I always wear one while jumping, and I always wear one whilst riding on the road. You can have the safest of horses, but you can't control what a car will do.

can i pose another question-

do those who wear one regularily, worry that they become too dependant on them?

i dont see them the same as a hat before that argument appears...

Not dependant at all - I do see them in the same light as a hat. In fact my BP is probably more comfortable than my hat !

[Flony_Pony]

It's interesting, because I did feel like I started to rely on it, so I started to wean myself off of it!

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

Mine makes me more confident, Id feel naked without it :o :D
I certainly wouldnt want to go any faster than walk without one...

[Hannah&Alfie]

I used to be fine without my Body protector, only used to wear it out hacking when i remembered to put it on :p
But a couple of months ago there was a nasty accident at my yard and now YO/RI now tells everyone who has a Body protector to wear one. I find it a little restrictive, and get VERY hot wearing it, but if it keeps me safe then so be it :rolleyes:

[Trewsers]

It stops me being a ridiculous ridgid ball of nerves! I'd not be without it now, I've had a fall (several) without and ended up in pain!!! I'm sure it wouldn'thave hurt so much if I'd had a bp on.
I love the fit of mine and I feel 100 per cent better wearing it. I don't care if its a safety blanket - whatever!! Plus it has the added advantage of supporting my chest, most sports bras are useless on me!!!

[acw295]

Snap :)

Neither, they just make me feel safer :)

ETA: Only wear it for all XC, and SJ competitions.

[Bessy]

Plus it has the added advantage of supporting my chest, most sports bras are useless on me!!!

Wish I had a chest worth supporting :D My BP is a large child size - says it all really.:eek:

[Mimi + Me]

I've only ever worn one when doing XC. I find that at first it's really uncomfortable and feels awkward, but once you've got used to them they do make you feel quite protected and safe!! Wouldn't wear one out of choice for normal hacking though!

[S.J.C]

I wouldn't know. I've never worn one ;)

I guess I would feel like it was restricting my movement...
I'm funny like that, I can't wear jeans or short, tight skirts as I feel I can't move around properly. :o I live in leggins and cotton shorts. :p

[Vicki100]

I never used to wear one until my youngester threw me and i was in agony!! really hit my back hard so from then on i always wear a body protector when riding him!
I dnt when riding other horses but bcus he is unpredictable it makes me feel safer!!!
Id rarther not wear it though :)

[puzzles]

More confident; because I am used to wearing one, I know it'll help to keep me safe, and the restrictiveness makes me feel more supported & safe .. even if it's all just in my head!

x

[RRA]

can i pose another question-

do those who wear one regularily, worry that they become too dependant on them?

i dont see them the same as a hat before that argument appears...

Sometimes I think this as I always wear mine for riding whatever I'm doing. Then again I'm so used to wearing it I don't find it uncomfortable, I'd feel strange without it a bit like not putting my seat belt on for driving.

[Kc..]

I hate them, my mum used to make me wear them and now i've decided at 18 i can decide for myself if i'm guna wear it or not. So i chose not too, my balance is better, i can move better and it's just all better.

My mum made me wear one in SJ the other week and seriously i could not breathe by the end it was awful.

[eventerbabe]

i always wear mine as i cannot afford to be injured as (a) in my first year in my job i'm only allowed a certain amount of sick leave, then they extend my probationary year and (b) i've a long commute to work so have to be able to drive. funnily enough though i did not wear it when backing my youngster as it impeded me leaning and hopping on and off quickly. the uncomfortable argument doesn't wash with me, get a BP properly fitted (mine was made to measure and cheaper than most off the peg versions) and you won't even notice it. it's an essential piece of safety kit in my book.

[Trewsers]

Wish I had a chest worth supporting :D My BP is a large child size - says it all really.:eek:

Lol, trust me, you don't want a chest worth supporting:D:p:o I have a devil of a job finding suitable sporty underwear.........

[HLDVS86]

I wear one for XC and it does make me feel a bit more confident....

[stressy]

I wear one for jumping and it does make me feel more confident, also find it stops me from collapsing over a fence. Just need to remember to undo it before I get off- keep giving myself whiplash! OUCH!!:mad::o

[x.Moomoo.x]

I don't always wear one when I'm just doing flatwork but when I'm jumpng or hacking I always wear one - & I personally think it makes me feel safer (maybe more confident?) as in the past it has really saved me from breaking my spine!! :o