Hit-Air vest, dismounting advice?

[blkgryphon]

Hey Everyone, Although I am not an Eventer, I figure you gals/guys are probably the most like to use air vests like the Hit-Air I just got, so hoping you might be able to give me some suggestions. Maybe not, since you are all probably super fit and strong (being Eventers!), and my problem stems from being the exact opposite.

Anyway, here goes: When it is time to get my sore old carcass off my horse, I kick both feet out of the stirrups (for safety…I don’t feel comfortable leaving one foot in), then swing my right leg over, then sort of hold onto the off side of the saddle and slide down slowly on my belly so that I don’t hit the ground hard, which hurts my knees.

The problem is that the Hit-Air vest has the air canister right on the front over your ribs, and the activation thingy sticks out from that area. So, it is COMPLETELY in the way (painfully so) if I try to dismount as I usually do, plus I’m afraid that activation thingy might get caught on something and needlessly deploy the vest, probably sending my very green mustang into the next county.

So, just wondering how those you who wear such vests dismount, and if you have any suggestions for me other than taking the whole thing off (which I may have to do) to be able to dismount in my sore-old-lady fashion. I actually have several “not-quite-young” friends who slither off their horses the same way I do, and one was considering getting a vest too but is now rethinking it because of this issue.

Thank you!

[ake987]

I have a HitAir Vest, and while I understand what you’re saying and it seems reasonable, I guess I’ve never noticed/had the issue, myself. I think your options are:

a. Take the vest off and lay it across your horse’s neck while you dismount
b. Unbuckle vest and dismount? Perhaps with it open, you can push the side with the cannister out of the way and dismount as usual?
c. Backflip dismount. Problem solved.

[Foxglove]

Have the handsome young groom steady you with his hands around your slender waist while he lifts you gently off the horse. I prefer the groom who looks like Fabio, myself. No groom? Suggest taking off the vest. I take off my Aussie Drover Coat before I dismount --there are so many straps and flaps, that I worry it will catch on something.

[BlueDrifter]

Based on these two comments alone, I might consider eventing – my kinda people!

(Don’t worry, not a chance, 63 and sometimes my QH has the better of me!)

[ake987]

@BlueDrifter

Based on these two comments alone, I might consider eventing – my kinda people!

(Don’t worry, not a chance, 63 and sometimes my QH has the better of me!)

We have room, come on over and moonlight! I know plenty of people your age and older still eventing - most are much better than me at 30!

[CindyCRNA]

I have a Hit Air and get what you are saying. I slide off my big 17 hand guy and it just is what it is.

[Outyougo]

Have you looked into other protective vests. NOT air powered? The force and speed theses deploy is in itself very u comfortable. At upper level high speed high risk riding. Yes a good ide. Fir hackin. Dressage a. Highly rated protective vest may really be the beat alternative. I am going to sell my air vest after my horse bolted whet it deployed.

[jen-s]

@ake987

We have room, come on over and moonlight! I know plenty of people your age and older still eventing - most are much better than me at 30!

And me at almost 39. Come on over to the dark side. We have cookies and margaritas and ride times.

[AKB]

I am your age and use an old fashioned Charles Owen Kontact 5 vest that does not have an air vest. It is comfortable. I do take it off before dismounting. My horse is used to me tossing it on the ground or into my truck after a trail ride.

[Mango20]

Can you train your horse to stand so that you can dismount onto a mounting block? That might help keep you from having to slide off.

[CHT]

I agree with perhaps not having an air canister vest. Not only will that resolve your dismounting issues, but your “very green mustang” might lose its sh#t if the vest actually deploys. Someone I know fell onto her horse’s neck causing the vest to deploy right behind the horse’s head. As you can expect, it didn’t go well, and took a while for the horse to recover mentally from the fright. I don’t remember which brand of vest it was though: I guess some are louder than others, but still not a risk I would take on a very green horse.

[notlost]

Because I’m old (almost 60–and I still event!), I get off/on at a large mounting block because my knees are shot. Would that help?

[SuzieQNutter]

What about taking your off leg over the mane and slide down with your back to the horse.