01/04/2021
Welcome. I suspect you are here because you are toying with the idea of purchasing a Hit-Air vest for yourself or someone you care about, but you're just not sure yet. Here's my story; let's see how closely it fits yours.
I started riding at age 50 (15 years ago) and really did not want to get injured especially when it can be mostly preventable.
I became interested in Hit-Air vests after reading about so many people getting hurt on their horses, and THEN purchasing a vest to keep them safer for the “next time.” All those stories about having to be LifeFlighted out, being in the ER, breaking backs and ribs, losing weeks and months of financial income due to rehabilitation time, etc., were a concern.
Most of the people injured were seasoned riders who never thought THEIR horse would do anything to hurt them. That's true. We always think OUR horse is safe, otherwise we wouldn't be on it. Their horse(s), like my four, would not do anything on purpose to hurt us, but things happen. Horses get spooked. Horses trip and fall. Deer jump out of nowhere. Suddenly your reflection is in that same mirror that has been on the arena wall for years. Someone starts a lawn mower. Turkeys fly up. Some idiot honks at you as they pass in their vehicle. The dreaded bicycle is on the path. Dogs want to chase you. And my favorite “Oh my gosh, are those COWS?” from my normally unflappable horse. There are a million reasons a normally steady, reliable horse can spook.
I bought my first (and only) Hit-Air vest about 10 years ago. I wear it “every ride, every time” (just like my helmet). I have “used” it twice in that time. Both times I was totally fine. The vest deploys so fast you don't even know it's happening. The horse barely notices it's happening. Other riders barely notice when it happens, but they see the result ~~ Suddenly you resemble the Michelin man as your neck, core, and back areas are protected. You'll be a source of amazement, then laughter since it happens so quickly and you are okay!
In my riding of over 6000 miles (documented on the Top Trail Horse website – www.toptrailhorse.com), there have been two times that fortunately I didn’t need the vest to save me, but while the event was happening, I thought: “I have my vest, I have my vest.” One time my horse was Horse #3 as we all unknowingly walked across a ground bee nest. (You may know that, usually, the first two horses don’t get stung because the bees haven’t made the connection until Horse #3 walks by.) In fact, none of us knew we had walked across the nest until my Diamond Girl jumped, put her head down, bucked up (sortof), and tried her best to get out of there. While she was struggling to get away, the thought “I have my vest, I have my vest” ran through my mind. Honestly, I was less panicked because I knew that IF I came off, the chances of being hurt were very slim. The vest gave me confidence and calmed me down.
And there have been two times when I DID need my vest. One time we were cantering on a gravel road ~~ the same road we had just gone down and turned around on ~~ when all of a sudden Blue Flowers popped up out of nowhere and Diamond spooked. I had been daydreaming about what a wonderful ride we were having (really!) and had the infamous “unintended dismount,” to put it kindly. As I left the saddle the vest deployed, protecting my neck, back, ribs, and hips. It was fully inflated before I hit the ground, hence the name “Hit-Air.” I didn’t break a thing.
THE COST
Sometimes the cost of a vest seems expensive. The Original model is $500, and the Advantage model (larger than the Original) is about $620. Yes, that’s quite a chunk of money. Here’s how I looked at it, and maybe this will help you too.
Before I retired (yahoo!!!) my hourly wage was $14/hour. The vest cost $450. If you take $500 divided by $14, the answer is 35. Therefore, the vest equaled 35 hours of work. Less than a week. Less than a week of work, which was less than I would have lost if I broke my neck or back or ribs or hips, or had to pay a deductible for the LifeFlight, or Emergency Room, or spent weeks in rehabilitation, or couldn’t work for weeks or months….you get my drift. Yes, it’s a good chunk of money but it’s not only an investment in your financial future but also your physical future. (DISCLAIMER: Of course, wearing the vest will not guarantee no injuries will occur, but it can certainly lessen the severity of the injury.)
MY HELP TO YOU
I am a newly minted vendor for Hit-Air and I have helped numerous people get these vests. I'd love to help you too. I cannot reduce the price of the vests, but I do have some leeway in providing other ways of reducing your overall financial investment in the vest and accessories. My main desire is help people get these vests. Let’s talk.
GROUP INCENTIVES
If you belong to a barn, stable, riding group, or any type of riding organization, contact me to see how Kansas Hit-Air Equestrian Vests can be of service to your group.
Feel free to contact me with any questions. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll check with my “Boss” and find out.
Enjoy your safe ride!
Belinda
DISCLAIMER: Equestrian sports are dangerous and involve the risk of serious injury or death. A properly fitted air-vest may offer protection against some injury. It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser to insure the air-vest is correctly sized. The purchaser releases Kansas Hit-Air Equestrian Vests and/or Belinda Schuman from any and all responsibility or liability for any injury or death related to any product purchased from Kansas Hit-Air Equestrian Vests or Belinda Schuman.
Top Trail is the ride program for horse lovers all over the world. We have been encouraging, celebrating, and recognizing trail riders since 2014.
