Do vests protect your back?

[Flyspray87]

This may sound like a stupid question but my mind is racing a million thoughts. Recently got thrown off my horse after a bad spook. I now have a seemingly stable compression fracture. I say seemingly because I had a CT scan but an MRI was not done yet. My back pain at most is a dull pain in one spot on my back maybe 6/10 on a pain scale. No radiating pain. No weakness. That’s not to say, eventually it will begin to compress. I follow up with MD this week. I know and am well prepared to take all the time needed to heal as I want to make sure I am 150% okay to get back in the saddle but obviously my confidence is completely shattered.

I spoke to my trainer about starting to ride more experienced and predictable horses before I hop on my young 4year old. I will not get back on until cleared but I was wondering if a vest will help to protect /cushion my back in case I have another bad spill. I am aware it will not prevent a freak accident or won’t make me invincible, but I don’t know anyone who wears vests since I’m at a hunter jumper barn. I just want to take all safety precaution and was wondering if some of you can give me your thoughts/experience/preference on safety vests? I’m sorry if this sounds completely ignorant. My confidence is hurt more than the physical pain in my back.

Thanks in advance.

[tbchick84]

Sorry about your fall. I know how that messes with you head too.

I would say, a properly fitting vest does cover all the way down to the tailbone. I’m not sure how much protection that ultimately provides. I would like to think it would give you at least bruising over broken bones, but I don’t know for sure. I’ve come off twice in my vest, once at high speed and once at a slow dull thud, and had barely a bruise both times.

[Flyspray87]

@tbchick84

Sorry about your fall. I know how that messes with you head too.

I would say, a properly fitting vest does cover all the way down to the tailbone. I’m not sure how much protection that ultimately provides. I would like to think it would give you at least bruising over broken bones, but I don’t know for sure. I’ve come off twice in my vest, once at high speed and once at a slow dull thud, and had barely a bruise both times.

Wow that definitely makes me feel better! My fall was not high speed perse, but definitely a huge THUD!! So it’s nice to hear your high speed fall resulted in barely bruising!

Thanks so so much for your response. I love hearing stories.

[tbchick84]

Ironically I find the high speed falls safer because the velocity just keeps you rolling along which disperses the impact. The thud type doesn’t give you anything to work with. You just slide off and hit where you hit. There’s nowhere near enough movement involved to roll. I had some very bruised ribs after my thud fall, but still nothing broken.

[soloudinhere]

I recently took what sounds like a similar fall and was left with broken ribs and tweaked something as-yet-unidentified in my back. I do plan to wear my vest to get back in the saddle and I also purchased an air vest to wear to jump. I might look ridiculous, but I do not plan to live through this experience again if I can solve the problem by throwing money at it.

[Flyspray87]

@soloudinhere

I recently took what sounds like a similar fall and was left with broken ribs and tweaked something as-yet-unidentified in my back. I do plan to wear my vest to get back in the saddle and I also purchased an air vest to wear to jump. I might look ridiculous, but I do not plan to live through this experience again if I can solve the problem by throwing money at it.

I love the shackle pony to a lawn chair. Hilarious.

Yes i agree!! I think everyone even outside the barn heard the big thud and grunt let out as soon as I hit the floor. I’m sure everyone will understand when they see me schooling st home. Ha! My horse is still a baby so I’ve learned he apparently is unpredictable. Now to find the BEST most protective vest…

[soloudinhere]

@Flyspray87

I love the shackle pony to a lawn chair. Hilarious.

Yes i agree!! I think everyone even outside the barn heard the big thud and grunt let out as soon as I hit the floor. I’m sure everyone will understand when they see me schooling st home. Ha! My horse is still a baby so I’ve learned he apparently is unpredictable. Now to find the BEST most protective vest…

I went with the Racesafe Provent 3, mostly because I hate how hot vests are. I think Airowear now has one that is mesh like mine as well. Riding Warehouse carries Airowear and usually has good pricing. The only way to figure it out is to try a bunch on, and they’ll likely feel strange to you when you wear one for the first little while.

[amb]

I kinda suck, and am thus perhaps somewhat of a connoisseur of falls. (Everybody needs a hobby?) I took a dive onto my butt and small of my back a little over a week ago (spook+canter+bareback=thud) and I’m pretty sure my vest was the difference between a slight ache and several days of very ginger walking and maybe worse. (…and I would have missed a beach ride!) Vests are awesome.

[starsandsun]

After passing 40 a few years ago, I ride in my Charles Owen Kontakt 5 which gives me protection from shoulder through tail bone. I actually do not notice it in the heat and it does not affect my position at all in my dressage saddle.

[Snugglerug]

You’re right that a vest doesn’t make you invincible, any more than a helmet does. But I’ve fallen with a vest, and I’ve fallen without one, and I much preferred with. Think about football pads. Those guys don’t wear pads just for fun. They wear them because they help. I usually forget I have one on within the first 5 minutes of my ride. Try on a bunch of different ones at a reputable tack shop if you possibly can; they can make sure whatever you choose is fitted correctly. For me, the specific vest, as long as it’s certified, is a personal decision, because the only one that will protect you is the one that you’ll wear.

And one more thing. If anybody gives you attitude about wearing one, just walk away. Anyone who would look down on someone for wearing safety equipment is an idiot and not worth your time.
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[RAyers]

For the fracture you have, NO vest protects you. A compression fracture is caused by axial forces up and down the spine. Given that L1-S1 have a huge amount of curvature, the axial forces vary at each segment. T1-T12 tend to fracture at the inflection point of T8-T10.

In other words no vest can change the forces transmitted along the spine, preventing compression (which is the common mis-diagnosis for burst fractures).

You don’t say what exactly where the fracture is so, I would simply wait until the fracture is healed and not worry.

[melula]

If it’s a compression fracture, landing hard on your feet or behind would likely exacerbate the condition.

[phoenixrises]

My ortho said my three vertebrae would more than likely not have been protected by a vest because as RAyers said it was about force that the vest wouldn’t have dissipated.

But she said it wouldn’t hurt and if it made my husband feel better I should wear one. So for the first three months back I wore it all the time. But unless she’s particularly hot I don’t wear it anymore.

[Flyspray87]

@phoenixrises

My ortho said my three vertebrae would more than likely not have been protected by a vest because as RAyers said it was about force that the vest wouldn’t have dissipated.

But she said it wouldn’t hurt and if it made my husband feel better I should wear one. So for the first three months back I wore it all the time. But unless she’s particularly hot I don’t wear it anymore.

What happened to your three vertebrae??

[ecileh]

My unsolicited two cents:

If your confidence is shaken and you think a vest will help you get back into the saddle, buy one. Bonus points: for making your husband feel better, too.

[phoenixrises]

@Flyspray87

What happened to your three vertebrae??

I broke off the transverse process of L3-L5. Hurt like a son of a bleep.

[Flyspray87]

@phoenixrises

I broke off the transverse process of L3-L5. Hurt like a son of a bleep.

What was your treatment like? Just got word I needed to wear a back brace