{Photo courtesy of Nature of Light Photography, all rights reserved}
For those of you, that follow us here at Chasing a Fox. You are probably wondering where my new pony Big Chief is. Well after he took the long ride from Aiken to get to me for his “semi-retirement” it occurred to us it was time for him to retire for real. So with heavy hearts, we loaded him back on a Fairway Trucking rig on Thursday and sent him off to Virginia where he will live out the rest of his days eating grass and loving life!
So now for the rest of the story. When I returned from Kentucky a few weeks ago, I walked into the barn, and this adorable gray popped his head out of a stall to greet me. He was so cute, and he was hanging out with Big Cheif and his other friend Shorty. My good friend Kathy (who by the way is a roper) told me this guy had been brought in for a dressage rider to try out. Really, he’s a dressage horse? He is part of a roping team, and he is the head horse. That means his rider ropes the cows head while his partner ropes the feet. There is also a rumor that he was a pick-up horse at a rodeo. A pick-up horse is a horse that catches the Broncs after the rider falls off. Well, evidently this horse does it all. I can attest to that because he went hunting for the first time last week and look at the snaffle in his mouth and he was PERFECTION!
Anyway, my big conundrum is all about the safety equipment. As you all have probably figured out by now, I am a true old school traditionalist. No room for change from tradition and here I find myself wearing a safety vest. What has made this transition a little easier is that my racing sidesaddle friends all wear them over their habits, and they still look lovely. We want to know what your thoughts are on the safety vest. Do you wear one, if you do what kind do you wear and do you wear it over your coat or under……so much for my poor little brain to digest. Breaking your back is no joke, and I am taking this change very seriously, please tell me your thoughts!
XO
Hello!
Yes, I wear a safety vest over my formal jacket. A large number of our hunt members (South Creek Foxhounds, Dade City, Florida) and guests wear safety vests. I would not feel safe without my vest and highly recommend everyone give them consideration. There are so many styles to choose from. Love your posts! Keep up the excellent work!
Staying calm and kicking on!
I think this is a great question and I look forward to seeing the responses. I think the new safety vests are brilliant. However, last year I treated a fellow hunt member in the field who fell off and the pop from the vest blowing up scared his horse causing him to be kicked right in the face (the helmet provided minimal protection to the temple only)!!!! I had read arguments online about the danger of the noise prompting a kick but really didn’t believe it until I had to treat it! For me personally I would rather chance my back than an orbital blow out/sphenoid/zygomatic/etc fractures with facial reconstruction and possibly instantaneous death. I am sure they will improve the canisters for noise at some point and then I’ll reconsider.
Good point Sarah. I have witnessed them not inflating which makes them useless.
That’s awful! I have a regular vest not a blow up one…
I wear my Tippary vest under my tweed coat. It makes me look a little boxy. I didn’t wear it for the late spring hunts as the weather was quite warm. I will put it back on for formal season. It won’t fit under the lightweight black jacket but does under the Melton.
sorry about Big Chief .Welcome to new horse. I was within ear shot on Thanksgiving when you went down, so I will endorse vest wearing as a way to help reduce injuries such as yours. I appreciate Sarah’s remarks. That sounds like a one in a million probability, but deserves consideration. I just read that philosophy is the pursuit of wisdom in practical ways…I have been present at several fatalities, so err on the side of safe. Bless you Sissie as you make your way back.
Thank you Bill!
Given your pre-existing back injury, I’d say, yes to the vest. If you are a slim, trim lady, you can likely wear it under your jacket with no one the wizer. A portly matron like yours truly, cannot affort to add to the dimensions of my girth without explanation. Hence, I’d wear mine outside and not bat an eyelash as to explaining its presence. There’s no point in riding if you are scared of being hurt further and, if you are hurt further, you’re not likely to ride at all.
Wow that’s some story ! im speechless and that takes a lot ….
Hello!
I am a representative from Tipperary Equestrian (Phoenix Performance Products). Firstly, great post! We enjoyed reading your thoughts regarding wearing safety vests as we highly encourage it here at Tipperary Equestrian. However, when you mentioned wearing a jacket underneath the vest we do highly discourage that (specifically when wearing vests we manufacture). The reason being is our vests are meant to be as tight to the flesh as possible. Having said that, wearing a thin t-shirt or long sleeve is fine where as, wearing a bulky coat will be less likely to protect you considering it is meant to be worn like a corset. When wearing a coat underneath a vest does not provide you with correct fit each and every time. A jacket, sweater ect should always be worn over top of the vest (in our recommendation), never underneath it. If you have any more inquiries about safety vests please do not hesitate to email us or give us a call at any time.
Thanks,
Tipperary
I wear mine (Tipperary) over my jacket while hunting (and while jumping at home). (And yes, on top of my jacket, despite the recommendations of the company, above) and for the similar reasons (T-12 compression fracture, which no, would not have been avoided by the vest, but I figure there are a lot of things it will help avoid!)
Hi Kari,
After doing LOTS of research I have found that the Point Two Hunter air vest is going to be the best choice. Your T-12 fracture may have been avoided with this vest it has a lot of Thoracic protection. That’s why I just ordered mine, I broke my T-12 too….
Can’t wait till it comes and it has no logos or anything so it will look seamless over our hunt coats!
I just had a bit of a fall and ended up with a t12 compression fracture (my horse shied directly into a hot fence). I am now inspired by your post to get a safety vest. I have heard that the Rodney Powell is a good one. thoughts, anyone?