Anonymous wrote:Is the barn giving the lessons reputable? Do they seem focused on safety and well cared for lesson horses? Do you know someone who recommends the barn? Did it look clean and organized when you visited?
If these things are all yes, I’d be comfortable skipping the protective vest for me kid.
If you don’t have confidence in the lesson program I’d find a different barn.

Exactly. For too many years, DD was at a barn with poor safety standards. I regret staying there for as long as we did. She fell numerous times, because the lessons were packed and the horses didn't have enough space to maneuver without getting upset and bucking. This year she got a spot off the waitlist at a much better barn. 4 well-behaved horses in a large ring per lesson. The horses aren't grumpy, they're much better cared for, they are groomed before and after each lesson, and not left in their stall with their tack on, like at the last barn. No falls or close calls so far.

I got my kid a MIPS certified helmet at Dover Saddlery - please try it on in-person, everyone's head is shaped differently, so some models will fit better than others. MIPS is a new technology that better protects the head in the event of a direct hit. Check the chin strap regularly because it's going to loosen. Get riding or paddock boots - the heels are just tall enough to prevent the foot slipping out of the stirrups too easily. The instructor still has to work with the child to train them to lower their heels in the stirrups. No sneakers ever, or any boot that has too low of a heel. Leather is more expensive, but more flexible and comfortable than the faux leather plastic booties. You might get a used pair off someone if you ask the barn. If your kid rides for any length of time, the seam of regular trousers will start to chafe. You can get riding pants, and the best are the ones with material on the inside knee and thigh that better grips the saddle. Riding gloves will protect his little hands from the friction of the reins. They need to be snug.

Enjoy!

I don’t know what “trail” lessons are, but I’ve heard enough people anecdotally say that the vests were helpful to be willing to try them in the absence of evidence they are harmful.

It doesn’t really matter what your discipline is. Jumping is maybe higher risk, and cross country in particular, but you can also fall off on the way back to the barn and everyone has had it happen at some point.

Anonymous wrote:Just get a vest. It’s much cheaper compared to any spin related accident.

There is not good scientific evidence that the vests help reduce spinal injury, and some indicating that especially air vests could cause a severed spinal cord in a late deployment/rotational fall (including my friend who repairs spines for a living).

I am waiting for actual studies before I repeat as truth that they help. They are meant to reduce puncture wounds, and how common is that as an equestrian injury? Not very.

Anonymous wrote:Just get a vest. It’s much cheaper compared to any spin related accident.

+1. You are probably less likely to fall in trail riding than in jumping, but the effects of a fall can be just as bad. I don't think the "niceness" of the barn has anything to do with anything: even pretty and clean horses spook and bolt sometimes.

Just get a vest. It’s much cheaper compared to any spin related accident.

I have been jumping for decades. I don’t wear a vest unless I am going cross country. It’s optional.

Once he starts jumping yes, but probably unnecessary before then.

Generally trail riders do not wear them but for eventers, hunters and jumpers it is a necessity.

Anonymous wrote:Is the barn giving the lessons reputable? Do they seem focused on safety and well cared for lesson horses? Do you know someone who recommends the barn? Did it look clean and organized when you visited?
If these things are all yes, I’d be comfortable skipping the protective vest for me kid.
If you don’t have confidence in the lesson program I’d find a different barn.

This makes sense. Very nice stables. I did notice some of the advanced jumpers had the vests but no trail rider had them.

Is the barn giving the lessons reputable? Do they seem focused on safety and well cared for lesson horses? Do you know someone who recommends the barn? Did it look clean and organized when you visited?
If these things are all yes, I’d be comfortable skipping the protective vest for me kid.
If you don’t have confidence in the lesson program I’d find a different barn.

Why don't you ask his instructors who would know the answer to this best?

8 yo DS is going to start taking trail riding lessons. Of course her will have a helmet but should we get him a protective riding vest?

He's done trail riding before without a vest.But now the class will be twice a week so is it worth investing in a vest for safety?