I’m a dressage rider, but posting here for advice. I have been using an air vest when riding my young horses. A few weeks ago, the 4 year old badly launched me, air vest deployed but zipper broke (either on deployment or when I hit the ground). I broke four ribs. The bottom catch for the zipper completely ripped off and the toggle was opened and slides completely off. Yes, I submitted the vest to the company I purchased it from for warranty coverage, but don’t yet have a response. Meanwhile, I will need to replace the vest. I noticed that there are zipper fasteners and plastic clips. I think the zippers have a good chance to fail, for example, if you fail to seat the zipper when zipping (not what happened to me–zipper actually ripped apart). I am wondering if the plastic clips are safer. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Any experience with the clips breaking or causing injury if you land on them? Thanks, in advance, for any responses.
Oh gosh, I’m sorry this happened! Jingles for a smooth recovery. What kind of vest was it?
I ride in a HitAir Pro 3 - it’s not as sleek as some of the lower profile styles that are common in the H/J rings lately. It’s a more relaxed fit, buckles instead of zipper closure. I’ve had a few falls in it and (*knock on wood) no issues with deployment or fit while inflated. I wonder if some of these closer fitting vests might stress the zipper even slightly with regular wear such that inflation might eventually cause them to fail?
It was a closer fitting vest–one designed to be zipped into a show jacket.
Oh gosh I’m so sorry to hear this! I have a zipped one and it’s worked just fine,…I had a horse that buck on landing If his ulcers weee bothering him, and it never ripped, definitely sounds faulty and they should replace it!
Curious what brand of vest you were wearing?
Equitheme—hopefully they will do the right thing
