Once I fell off a horse when I was riding by myself, cracked my helmet, was too dizzy to stand, and was vomiting. I managed to call both my husband and 911 before passing out. Or maybe between bouts of unconsciousness, since I was drifting in and out. Obviously the details are a little hazy. Turned out I also had a punctured lung and a lacerated spleen. So obviously I think that having one’s phone on one’s person while riding is a good idea. There’s no reason to be contemptuous of new technology when it has the ability to really help in an emergency situation like that.
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I second the black knight accessories pouch. They are stylish, wear well, and fit phones and treats! I LOVE mine. http://blackknightaccessories.com/t/rider-wristlets
Bluey, when you ride, does it bounce around a lot? If it just hangs from that clip, looks like it would flop around.
I still have an iPhone 5s, and got this great case from Back in the Saddle that has a metal clip on the back that I either slide onto my waistband, or slide onto the top of my tall boots so it doesn’t get in the way on my waist. They don’t carry them anymore, and it doesn’t look like they have upgraded to a larger case for larger phones, so don’t know what I’ll do when I have to eventually upgrade and go larger.
A second vote for the Flipbelt. Zero bounce, comfortable, and doesn’t ride up your waist.
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That’s why I said “It’s a different world now”. I know that few barns have land lines anymore. Thus the cell phone is there instead, on a bench or in an office or wherever. I am just surprised that people feel the need to wear one while on a horse in a barn. Just surprised, that’s all.
I’m far from contemptuous of technology. (How did anyone get that impression from my posts?) I am just surprised at how some people use it.
I too have been knocked unconscious (more than once). The only time it happened when I was alone I made it to the phone when I awoke. Cell phone or land line, it’s a phone.:yes:
I use a fanny pack around my waist. Love it. Keep a few treats, phone, small water bottle on really hot days (for trails) and my keys when we ride out/meet up.
I have one as well, perfect for the job.
Iredion tights have two big pockets big enough for large phone and I like the compression on these tights.As someone who rode w/o phone in Colorado Nat’l forest for many yrs. I have to laugh at myself now when I miss taking my phone on trail with me. everyone has phones and when there is an accident 911 operators get sick of all the calls they get. Yes you can be alone on your farm and I have had a neighbor break a leg late on a snowy night at the barn and had to crawl long way up to the house . I do realize they are a great thing if you’re alone but really folks how did we all make it to middle + age w/o all this tech? I didn’t have a landline for 15 years.
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I looked at a lot of images of leg and arm holders for phones. Most of them don’t provide much protection for the phone. If you go off and land on the phone, and worse if the phone ends up between your body and a rock, it likely won’t be of much help.
Maybe this is mostly a guy solution but I made a simple, leather case and a belt hanger and carry it that way. I had a couple of slide in, plastic “holsters” but after breaking a couple of them having them get “snagged” on tack or other stuff around the barn I made the closed case.
If the breeches don’t have belt loops then a small “fanny pack” seems like a really good second choice. Now you can carry a phone and a knife and some ID and a few bucks if you’re out on a trail. If you’re in a ring on the farm just leave out the ID and money. But keep the knife; it a useful tool for all sorts of stuff. This type of carry keeps stuff out of the way when not in use.
G.
I use my Black Knight wristlet on my belt!
Does no one else use their phone as a timekeeper? I no longer wear a watch and rely on my phone to keep track of how much lesson is left or to time trot sets on a rehab horse. This thread has been very… Er, “timely” for me now that I’m mostly riding in the outdoor with no vest or jacket!
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Well, in my case I wear it on my person when I hack over to the ring I get to ride in. That way if I have any trouble on the way over, the way back or if I fall off during my lesson I have a phone to contact someone for help. During my lesson my phone sits (still in the runner’s belt) with my other stuff, usually on the mounting block. So I do not actually ride with my phone on me.
When I go on a trail ride or hunter pace or hack out alone, even at home, I do ride with my phone on me.
The ringer is off. I am not wearing it so I can keep in touch with my friends for that time. I am wearing it so I can contact someone if I need them, if I have an emergency.
Example - during one lesson I fell off and splatted more than an old lady should. I got back on and rode more but to be safe (at the suggestion of my friend and my trainer) I called my hubby and he walked over and walked back home with me and my horse. Phone was handy to have. Sure I probably would have made it home no problem but…
I think leaving your phone on the bench at a busy barn would lead to all kinds of issues. Someone picking up the wrong phone, someone knocking the phone off and not realizing it, etc.
People also did “just fine” without helmets, seat belts, and lead paint back in the day. Doesn’t mean one should not utilize the updated safety technology that is now available to them.
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I ride (and teach) in schooling pants, paddock boots and chaps. I stick my phone in my chaps next to my leg. I also have a pair of Irideon Synergy Tights that I wear that have 2 deep pockets and also a small zipper pocket in the waist band. The zipper pocket is too small for my phone, but I can put my ID and health insurance info back there.
Be careful putting your phone in your bra unless you have a waterproof case. Phones damaged by sweat will show water damage when you send them in for repair and it voids the warranty.
For those “old school” people saying a phone has no use while teaching a lesson, I respectfully disagree. Sometimes, I will take video of a student for them using my phone (with their permission) so they can SEE what I’m describing. Sometimes I will even show them video of myself riding (the good and the bad) so they can see how my riding affects my horse’s ability to move properly. In addition, many of my lessons are on the trail. I always have my phone in case of an emergency. I also have had to call back to the office on occasion to ask the manager to please let my next student know that I’m running a couple minutes late due unexpected delays on the trail. As far as riding out “alone” (even after 28 years, I don’t do or recommend this, but I know many people love the solitude with their horses) and your phone won’t help you if you are incapacitated, that is actually not true. Cell phones offer emergency medical info capabilities where anyone can access your name, allergies, emergency contact numbers and prior medical conditions - all life saving information, without even having to unlock your phone. It can be a useful tool.
Should trainers/instructors/riders be texting and checking their facebook walls while teaching and riding. No. But with a little self-control, a cell phone can be a very useful item to have.
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This is what I do as well. It works quite well.
Maybe you could ASK first next time, instead of jumping down the OP’s throat for being unable to “disconnect” from her phone.
No, a cell phone is not going to save you from getting into a horse accident. But if I break my leg when I fall off my horse, I’d rather have my cell phone on my body, rather than 50 yards from my body that I have to drag myself to.
I ride alone 99% of the time, mostly on the trails. When I ride I ALWAYS have my phone on me – even if I am just doing arena work that is less than 100 yards from my trailer.
Again, I’d rather have my phone on me to call for help, rather than drag myself to where my phone is.
If you want to keep your phone on a bench, or use the land line, go right ahead. Maybe it’s not intended, but I don’t like your derogatory tone towards people that choose to have their phone on them while riding, for safety reasons.
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I keep mine attached to my belt with a soft waterproof case that has a magnetic clasp. It’s very comfortable and doesn’t flop. I too ride alone, 99% of the time, and consider it a piece of safety equipment like helmet, vest etc.
One time it proved to be life saving. I was riding with my daughter-in-law, her horse stumbled badly at canter and she bounced off onto hard ground. We were at least 2 miles from home and she had obvious injuries. Being able to call for help was critical as there was no way I could have safely gotten her (and the horse) back home. I was able to call my husband & stepson, who fetched her in a 4wd vehicle and met the ambulance at the end of the trail. Turns out she sustained a concussion and broken pelvis. I would never leave home on a horse without the phone attached to me. Never.
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I have one of the Black Knight wristlets. I love it, it’s perfect for horse shows when I don’t want to carry a purse or a wallet around and my pockets don’t fit everything. Nicely fits my phone, some cash and a credit card!
I don’t think anyone disputes that cell phones can be of great help while hacking out. I certainly don’t and said so in a previous post. I agree with you that cell phone video is a great tool for education.
Since we are discussing carrying the phone on your body however, I am curious how you take video of yourself riding while you are on the horse, or if are you referring to someone else taking video of you with a phone?
I have mine on me all the time. Mostly I am out on trail and often by myself. I have had to use it for 911 more than once. At the barn, I am usually the only one there, I am out in the middle of nowhere and there is no landline. No one would notice me missing at home for hours. Do I answer it 100% of the time? No, depends on who it is. It also works nicely as a radio when I’m doing monotonous chores like stacking hay.
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You don’t like my (written) tone? 
I don’t understand the current need to have a cell phone on the person at all times. That’s all.
There are many people here and each of us has a point of view.
You are very attached to your cell phone and you are not alone. Not everyone feels the same.
My curiosity at the modern day cell phone phenomenon is no reason for you to become defensive, especially on someone else’s behalf.
