Air-vests in the hunt field?

[Romany]

I’ve noticed that air vests are being discussed everywhere else now; not just eventing but hunter-jumpers and even dressage, so I thought maybe there’d be good feedback from people to ride to hounds as well.

So - do you wear an air-vest in the hunt field? Would you wear one? Do you see others out in them yet? What would put you off wearing one, or conversely, why would you wear one?

I don’t have one yet, but it’s on my Christmas wish list, and I don’t see why I wouldn’t wear it out hunting; it’d just be another piece of safety gear, imo.

[Equibrit]

Where are you going to wear it - under your jacket or over it ? Either way would cause problems.

[jumpsnake]

I’ve seen several people wearing them over their jackets. Seems like good sense to me.

[Highflyer]

You wouldn’t want to wear it under your jacket, even if it fit.

[Romany]

[QUOTE=Equibrit;5235828]
Where are you going to wear it - under your jacket or over it ? Either way would cause problems.[/QUOTE]

Unless the jacket was designed to rip apart at the slightest provocation Incredible Hulk style, I should think an inflatable vest would be more effective - though less entertaining, perhaps - worn over the jacket than under it.

How do you figure wearing the vest over the jacket would cause problems, though?

[JSwan]

I can see that thing being hung up or ripped on branches, briars, and it being deployed accidentally.

All you’d have to do is get your hunt whip hung up on the darn lanyard, or forget to unhook yourself after you’ve dismounted to get a gate… it looks like a damn mess for hunting. At least in the territory I hunt in. (dense, lots of brush, vines, few to no trails or groomed areas. )

Not interested.

[SimpsoMatt]

I’ve seen them worn in the hunt field, over jackets. I wouldn’t wear one. I’m basically in favor of the concept that safety and tradition need to compromise, so I don’t object to others wearing them if it makes them feel safe. I just haven’t seen anything that convinces me that these things are anything more than an expensive nuisance.

[HunttoLive]

We have a couple of people that were a regular XC vest under their coats. As I understand the use of he air vest, they are supposed to be used in addition to a regular protective vest. So that would seem a lot of bulk.

I don’t know how it is at other hunts but we have precious few member that will actually get off their horse to get gates, etc. now. If they had to undo lanyards and things, we’d have to become a first flight only hunt.

[bigbaytb]

I am an eventer and a foxhunter…the airvest is a great idea and does help…

…but I doubt it would be smart for the hunt.

Our territory has too many branches, vines, thorns, etc reaching out.

I can see something grabbing the lanyard and deploying the air vest…and since I experienced a reaction a horse gave when a rider forgot to disconnect prior to dismounting after a perfect xc run…as in we chased said horse for 1/2 hour around the xc course…

I really don’t want to be the one to pass the field master because my vest POPPED*

[RacetrackReject]

As someone else stated, they are meant to be worn over a traditional safety vest and they only work when you are seperated from your horse far enough to release the lanyard and inflate before hitting the ground (which is not the case in many rotational falls). In my mind, if it is meant to wear over a traditional vest, why wouldn’t I just wear a traditional vest? But then again, I’m not one of the people who thinks they are the coolest thing since sliced bread either.

[SidesaddleRider]

@Romany;5235817

So - do you wear an air-vest in the hunt field? Would you wear one? Do you see others out in them yet? What would put you off wearing one, or conversely, why would you wear one?

No, No, and No, in answer to your first three questions.

Why? As others have stated: too bulky, too likely to go off after getting it hooked on something, I do get on and off to get gates/riders/etc–so just not practical.

[Woodford_Country]

Just wear a good traditional (eventing) safety vest.

[xeroxchick]

[QUOTE=JSwan;5236253]
I can see that thing being hung up or ripped on branches, briars, and it being deployed accidentally.

All you’d have to do is get your hunt whip hung up on the darn lanyard, or forget to unhook yourself after you’ve dismounted to get a gate… it looks like a damn mess for hunting. At least in the territory I hunt in. (dense, lots of brush, vines, few to no trails or groomed areas. )

Not interested.[/QUOTE]

Agree 100%

I am picturing dressage riders having to wear one.
I am now laughing.

[Equibrit]

I’m getting that belt and braces feeling.

[Badger]

When I was at Burghley last year, I was checking out the air vests and getting a demo from a company rep. A British MFH was also trying on vests at the same time. He was planning on wearing it under his coat, and the company rep recommended that he get an over-sized coat and attach the coat’s buttons with elastic cords that would allow expansion room when the vest inflated. This sort of adaptation might allow a foxhunter to wear a vest inconspicuously, but it doesn’t address the fact that airvests are supposed to be used in conjunction with and supplemental to traditional safety vests.

[JSwan]

I’m as safety conscious as the next person, but frankly that just sounds ridiculous. Sorry.

If they want to market this stuff to foxhunters - maybe they should study the sport, the vast differences in territory and our unique requirements.

Otherwise all they’re doing is trying to get a sale.

[Romany]

I have seen a photo of someone in a scarlet jacket with a scarlet air vest over the top, but of course can’t find it now; probably in H&H or similar.

Wearing the air vest under the jacket seems a bit silly, indeed.

[HunttoLive]

I think there is a line between being safe (approved helmet and maybe a body vest) and being terrified (going whole hog on every piece of safety gear). I think when you cross that line, hunting would seem to be no fun anymore.