Flashback baby photo! Don't you think he inherited his mom's pretty head?
I just wanted to say thank you to all of the people who commented on my "Do you ride alone?" post! I really appreciated all of the comments. It's nice to know I'm not being overly paranoid. I'm always extremely cautious and sometimes I feel like I'm holding myself back by being too cautious hehe. :) You never can be too careful with a 1000lb. animal though huh? I think I will stick with having someone there while I ride until he's older and more experienced. I do like the idea of getting a body protector like they wear in cross country (in fact I wanted one before I even rode him for the first time lol) for when I ride out alone. Anyone have suggestions on buying them? I've never had one and have no experience whatsoever with them. Thanks again guys!
I wouldn't recommend the champion body protectors as they can be too uncomfy. BUT there is a really good body protector that my friend recommends that has air pellets inside, so if you do fall off the air pellets pop open like the air bag's do in a car, let me know if uve got any questons about it :)
ReplyDeleteBubble wrap? No, I don't have an answer to that one, but I just remembered one thing. After my trainer spent two months preparing Gabbrielle for trail riding, she essentially told me not to go out on the trails alone with this horse, and definitely do not try to cross water with her until she had a lot more experience. That was kind of a scary warning coming from a trainer. I had another trainer train Bombay under saddle for two months and she trail rode him just twice, and said he was ready. Huh?
ReplyDeleteGirl, thanks for the info! I've actually heard of the air ones. Someone on a blog I follow got one. I had forgotten about them though, so thank you for the reminder. I'll add it to my list of things to remember lol.
ReplyDeleteNuz, Gabrielle's trainer sounded like a . . . fruitcake! It doesn't surprise me at all that she would say that. I think you could do way better with Gabrielle on your own once you have time to dedicate to her. :) She's just young, spirited and not used to going out on her own. I definitely do think I'll wait until Chrome is more experienced before I try riding alone though. Just to be safe. :)
I wouldn't recommend the air vest. There was a big article about them, I think in the New York Times (??). The jury is still out on them--they might be worse than regular safety vests and they might be as good or better, but we just don't know. Plus, they are ridiculously expensive.
ReplyDeleteI don't personally own a safety vest, but have done a lot of reading on them. *I* would personally get one that is Beta certified/approved, like a Charles Owen, Airowear, Rodney Powell, etc., NOT a Tipperary (they are not approved/certified).
Very interesting! Thank you Frizzle. You are always such a wealth of information. :D
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has a Tipperary body vest that she uses for eventing. She has been thru 2 hard falls in it without injury.
ReplyDeleteBest advice I can give is have it fitted to you by a pro - we would have gotten a size or two too big had we not had help!
I have been considering a Hit Air brand airbag vest. The Hit Air vests expand outward rather than inward so they don't put pressure on your organs. The more expensive brand expands inward and can knock the air out of you. I have done seem reading and they seem like a good option. They are expensive but not crazy like the point two vests. You would at least protect your neck and major organs. Point two vests are the more popular amount top level eventers (probably a sponsorship thing) and there have recently been some nasty normally career ending falls where the riders were at a show the next week.
ReplyDeleteTraditional body protectors are an option too. I have had several brands. The tipperary vests have smaller foam sections and I am pretty sure that is why they aren't technically "rated". The design makes them cooler and more flexible but you sacrifice a little protection. You could get poked in between the pieces if something was really thin and sharp. If you are just riding in a flat field they probably won't do much for you. They are mostly keeping a jump, rock, tree, from impaling you. If you fall on the flat hard ground it hurts just as much (been there done that).