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Should I wear a vest when Jumping or not?

7K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  Silvera 
#1 ·
Right now I wear a vest to jump because my dad makes me but I wanted to know others opinions on wearing a jumping vest or not.:D:lol:Also if you wear a vest to train do you wear it in a competition?
 
#2 ·
Your dad's making you wear a vest, because he wants you to have that extra level of protection. There's nothing wrong with that. The only time a vest is REQUIRED for jumping is if you are doing cross country. Otherwise, you may choose to wear a vest into the show arena (under your jacket, if jackets are required, otherwise just over your shirt as normal), but it is not required. You would not be penalized for wearing one.
 
#11 ·
From the studies I've seen, a vest reduces the risk of back injury by a factor of 5. However, IIRC, it doesn't decrease the chance of a broken neck or back, just the chance of injury to the rest of the back.

I don't jump, but my first fall from a horse was when my mare jumped out from under me (spin, leap, bolt) while I was dismounting in Jan 2009. My back is still tender every day in the area where I landed on a couple of rocks. Just because it is 'soft tissue' doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, or that it will heal. I've now gone 26 months since the fall, and it still hurts daily.

Listen to your Dad.

Besides, I'm a Dad with 3 kids and 3 grandkids, so I'm all in favor of listening to Dads... :D
 
#15 ·
I always wear a vest when jumping and I require my students to also. They are designed to help prevent internal injures as well as to protect your back.

I had a student that wasn't ready to jump anything higher then a little X. Her balance and riding skill just where not up to jumping higher. Her mom wanted her jumping and was trying to push me to let her jump higher, I refused and they moved to another barn. The first lesson she took at the other barn she was told she wasn't to wear her vest (and her mom didn't push the issue). She was riding for maybe 20 min before he had her canter a 2'6 jump. She came flying off, landed really hard and couldn't get up. The instructor told her she was fine and helped her up and wanted her to get back on. She told her mom that something was wrong and they went to the hospital right away. Turns out she split her liver, if she had been a little later getting to the hospital she would have died. The vest would have helped prevent the injury from happening to that extent. She had a top of the line vest that fit her really well. She is now not able to ride at all, every, for the rest of her life because if she comes off again she will most likely be killed.

So, I will always promote jumping vests :)
 
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