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Airbags for riders?!

Perdjie: I just found out about airbags for horseriding! It's like a jacket connected to your saddle and when you fall off and the connection breaks, it inflates. Don't know how long it has been around, but perhaps there's someone uninformed like me here who will also think it a very clever idea! Although I think if my horse saw me with such a jacket, he'd freak out. "WHAT is she planning so that she needs airbags?? What will I have to DO???"

Gerda: I hope they're re-useable, I know a few people who, if they had to buy one for every fall, might just as well give up riding.

Jenny-c: I have to say that the old "crash position and then roll" has always worked really well for me.

Blondzie: I will put this on my Christmas wishlist, for sure.

N3: The eventers on FEI Equestrian World used them. They do look effective, if not a great fashion statement! All the riders said they forgot the first time, jumped off their horse without disconnecting and poof!, they were triple the size. I think they're great, although you still have to wear the body protector as well, since it doesn't have the safety rating as yet.

LL: I'm having mental images of people going poof! and then they're three times the size. Pity the poor horses who have to deal with this!

Jane: Just trying to imagine short fat me with air bags! Watch out Michelin Man and Oros man – here I come!

LL: Jane, I just had a thought. Maybe all this extra padding I've acquired over the last year or three was actually an airbag slowly inflating. Now if only I could find the darn valve to deflate the thing again.

Jane: You solved the problem! I am not fat, I am just working on my airbags!

*Zella*: I watched the programme and it was more like a CRACK! than a poof! They are re-usable but also very pricey.

N3: Sorry, the poof! was as in someone waving a magic wand and poof!, three times the size! But yes, crack! is probably way more appropriate. Interestingly, the horses in front of which the airbags were demonstrated didn't freak out, the supposition being that it was too quick. And naturally, when you are in mid-cartwheel from said horse, he probably has more important things to think of than you and your poofy crack.

Jane: Poofy crack? Would that be the fear kicking in?

N3: Perhaps Jane, but at least you can blame the noise on your airbag.

horse47: I think there is a factory fault on my airbags! Whenever I fall they hurt like hell and turn every shade of blue! Do you think I could get a refund?

LL: I've noticed the same thing and I'm not impressed. I suggest we return them asap!

horse47: I agree, will send mine back as soon as I can work out how to take them off. Any ideas?