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  Discussion on Fall Protection
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Member:
theresab

Posted on Thursday, Nov 29, 2012 - 12:56 pm:

I hope this is the right area for posting this question. Has anyone had any experience with the safety vests, good or bad? I took a fall over Thanksgiving and broke a rib. Now my husband wants me to purchase some safety equipment before I get back on.

I was out enjoying a trail ride on my younger mare and she picked up a locust branch in her tail. If you are unfamiliar with locust branches, they have thorns, BIG thorns. I tried to do a one rein stop with her but she just spun in smaller and smaller circles until I finally went off inside the circle. I landed with my elbow tucked in to my side and it was hard enough to snap a rib. The branch was still in her tail when I walked home and she had 3- one inch thorns broken off in her legs with lots of scratches along her hocks. Now the hubby says I need better fall protection and to stay out of the tree line.

I've read mixed reviews on those inflatable vests and I've only begun looking at the standard vests. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences using them? Anything I should be on the look out for?

Thank you in advance,
Theresa
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Nov 30, 2012 - 7:52 am:

Hello TheresaB,
I don't know anyone outside of Eventer's that are wearing the vests. When I first started teaching my kids to ride we would practice falling off the horse. I think it is still a good idea for both horse and rider. The first step for the kids as they would begin to fall/slide was to grab mane in an attempt to keep yourself upright as you went down. Another safety measure we have recently instituted are the "Endurance / Trail" style stirrups with the large platform to rest your foot on. Not only are they great to ride but I do not see a way your foot cannot get caught in them during a fall. Almost all serious injuries I have seen coming off the horse were head / neck injuries and being drug in a stuck stirrup. Would these have prevented your ribs injury I do not know but a good topic for discussion.
DrO
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Friday, Nov 30, 2012 - 8:27 am:

TheresaB,

Here is the link to a safety vest that is used by Drivers and Trainers. Safety vests are required on most racetracks.

They are tough enough to protect but light enough so they are pretty comfortable.

https://www.bigdweb.com/COMPETITOR-XP-RACING-VEST-ASTM/productinfo/1036T/

Hope this helps

Rachelle
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