A few days ago, I was doing a virtual fitting with a client and he made the comment, "I don't know why I'm having such a hard time buying an accessory." I stopped him at that very moment and very seriously said, "This isn't an accessory. This is a critical piece of equipment that could potentially save you from injury and even death." 

Choosing your safety equipment shouldn't be a decision that is taken lightly. With each fitting, I usually spend anywhere between 30-60 minutes talking with my client, educating them about the different types of products, asking about their safety priorities, and then narrowing down on recommendations that might work best for them. It's important for my clients to have as much information as possible to make an informed decision.

Some of the questions I ask:

1. What discipline do you ride?
2. Are you a competitive or casual rider?
3. Have you had any previous injuries?
4. Do you have any current injuries?
5. Do you have a pacemaker or another type of mechanical, metal device?
6. What are your safety priorities?

No matter who I'm talking to, even if someone comes to me saying they know what category of product they want (equestrian air vest, body protector, etc.), I always take the time to educate about ALL of the options so that people can understand the benefits as well as the limitations of each.

Buying your safety equipment isn't about getting what looks good or what looks popular. It's about what's going to keep you safe.

I find that medical terminology tends to resonate with people. If you had a heart condition, you wouldn't go to a general practitioner. You would seek out the most knowledgable cardiologist to confirm the diagnosis and make recommendations about a plan of action.

The quest for safety equipment should be no different. And by the way, an air vest or body protector is cheaper than your health insurance deductible. ;)

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