Equestrian Clothing: Body Or Back Protectors
The most crucial role of equestrian clothing is for protection. Although horses are able to be trained they can be unpredictable when aggravated. Riders are vulnerable while riding and handling horses, particularly for novices. They might seem to be friendly but they can easily gallop or kick someone when not handled right. Apart from riding hats, a body protector is another important piece of equestrian clothing. Apart from protecting your head any rider needs to also protect their body. Against a powerful kick from a horse, any human can get cast off like a dummy. Falls can’t just injure your head but also break your spine. Riders can likewise suffer from other internal injuries during a bad fall.
Equestrian protection
Horses are prized in equestrianism but riders are important too. The rider’s power to handle the horse also has a huge impact on their performance. Luckily there is clothing that can protect them from accidental injury. Body or back protectors are garments that protect the rider’s chest and back. It’s a vest type of clothing that is filled with foam. They are worn over the top of the rider’s apparel. They are able to also be worn under the jacket. Its good protective cover for the rider just in case they fall during a ride or get kicked by the horse while handling it. We all know that your backbone is also as important as our skull. Our spine contains the spinal vertebrae which are made up of our body’s nerves from head to foot. Any injury to the spine can paralyze the rider. Our chest on the other hand contains vital organs.
Injuries from a fall can’t be completely avoided but their impact can be cut back. Wearing body or back protectors will provide preventive measure against potential injuries while the rider is with the horse. The protector is divided into two: the front and the back. They’re held together by Velcro fittings on each side and over the shoulder. The protector should be fastened securely and shouldn’t move while riding. At first they can seem uncomfortable but the foam moulds to conform to the rider’s body shape and contour. All protectors should abide by safety standards. Riders should buy Modern and original ones for guaranteed protection.
There are three different types of protectors:
Level 1: The black label. It’s only appropriate for certified jockeys. It has the lowest level of protection.
Level 2: The brown label. It provides medium protection. It is appropriate for general riding with low risks. This doesn’t include riding on hard surfaces such as roads. Jumping over obstacles and riding young excitable horses are 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.
Like riding hats body protectors should be replaced after three to four years. Second hand body protectors are not recommended since their foam padding have already been used. Other body protectors have additional attachments such as shoulder pads. Although body protectors come in different sizes a lot of manufacturers offer custom fitted ones. This provides generous adjustment for maximal comfort for the rider. Some might like it snuggly fit while others prefer it loose.
No matter what your preferences are, prevention is still better than cure. Coupled with the riding hat body, protectors are also extremely crucial pieces of an equestrian’s clothing.