Ridecamp: [RC] Body Protectors

I posted this in April.  I'd just refer people to the
Ridecamp archives, but it looks like all the April
postings got lost during that system disruption we
had.

Update:  in addition to the woman who broke
six of her ribs, we had one of the founding members
of the Massachusetts' Cross State Trail Riders,
Lu Hooper, killed on a ride this past summer
when her horse flipped over backwards on
her.

---------

Shock Vests Considered a Very Good Thing

So I went riding and discovered that my new mare is capable
of shying ambidextrously.  You see, there was this rock, just
a little rock like any of 100,000 other little rocks, except that
it was a...well, what is it ever?

Anyway, I went off.  I landed square on my upper spine,
right between the shoulders and just below the neck, with
the back of my head hitting a split second later.

Except for getting the wind knocked out of me, I barely
felt it.  I was wearing a shock vest and my helmet.

I saw the shock vest, a Casel, at an eventing place last
fall for half price.  It was just after my ride where the lady's
horse had flipped over backwards on her and broke
six of her ribs.  The vest fit, it didn't seem too heavy or hot
or onerous, so I bought it.

When needed, it worked *wonderfully*.  If any of you, like
me, are getting on a bit and are more worried about serious
injury ("the most common accident scenario is a middle-aged
woman on a green horse"), I really recommend trying one
of these shock vests.  The Casel I have is not even ASTM
rated (which is why it was on sale), but boy, did it make
a huge difference!  I just make my fanny pack into a belly
pack, and it doesn't interfere too badly.

----------

I continue to wear the vest, though I havn't had need
of it since.  I do find that the "belly pack" is annoying
me more and more:  it interferes with my ability to
lean forward going up hills.  I havn't solved that one
yet.

Also note that the "ice cube" eventing vests are lighter
and more flexible than the ASTM certified solid
"flak jackets."

Linda B. Merims
lbm@xxxxxxxxx
Massachusetts, USA




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