Fit a Cross-Country Safety Vest

A properly fitted safety vest or body protector is one of your best defenses against a fall-related injury. Such injuries include bone fractures and internal organ damage. However, a vest functions properly only when it’s fitted correctly. Follow these instructions to make sure you’re protected.

Photos ©Katherine O. Rizzo	PHOTO 1: A vest of correct length covers your spine from the bump at the base of your neck (where I’m pointing) down to your tailbone, while following the curves of your spine. If it’s too short, you risk exposing key areas. And if it’s too long, it will hit the back of your saddle while you ride, making you uncomfortable. Although my model is standing here, a vest is best measured or fitted with the rider seated in a chair or saddle. The back of the vest should clear the saddle or chair by about 11⁄2–2 inches. The front should extend about 2 inches past your last rib.
	PHOTO 2: A safety vest is ­designed to fit snugly. Before putting on the vest, loosen the side laces (or hook-and-loop tape in some designs). Then put it on so it rests comfortably on your shoulders. Zip or fasten the front of your vest, then gently pull down on the laces as I’m doing here (or close the hook-and-loop fasteners) until the vest is snug around your ribs. The sides of the vest should meet. If there is a gap between the sides, you need a larger size vest, because any openings expose your ribs to injury. For comfort and function, you should be able to fit the tips of your fingers under the bottom of the vest. Any more, and the vest is not snug enough or you may need a smaller size. Finally, after you have it fitting snugly, tie the laces and double knot them for added security.
	PHOTO 3: After your vest is zipped and laced, check the fit at your shoulders. You must be able to pull gently on the shoulder area on both sides at the same time without the entire vest moving upward. This way you know the vest is secure enough while allowing you the freedom to follow your horse’s motion.

John Nunn is the owner of Bit of Britain tack shop in Oxford, ­Pennsylvania, which caters to the needs of event riders and horses. www.bitofbritain.com.

This article first appeared in the May 2009 issue of Practical Horseman.