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Do you wear a Riding Helmet?
http://www.horse.on.ca/safety.html
I work with a coach and a clinician, both of whom are Olympic competitors in dressage (one is a medal winner) and both ride with helmets every time they get on the horse. With them setting the example, virtually all of their students ride with helmets as well. It's easier to get a helemt on your head than dressage boots on your feet, so what is stopping people from wearing helmets? Are they embarrassed? Afraid that it will seem uncool?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Elaine on
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I always have worn one. A great thing to happen to endurance was the arrival of the new, lightweight helmet style. Protection from branches and sun is a big bonus.
I keep a helmet with a big crack up the back. I was wearing it during an endurance ride, cantering across a big field with 3 other horses. I saw the irrigation pipe, but my mare didn't - watching the other horses instead. She shied, then lept over the pipe, and I somersaulted off, landing on my shoulders and head. The helmet broke, and I didn't.
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Permalink Reply by Becky on
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Always, always, always! If for some reason I forget it, something just feels wrong. When my daughter stared riding years ago, the rule was - she had to wear a helmet. So, I believe if she had to, then I needed to be a good example. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but the visor shades my eyes. It also flattens my hair, so I keep it short and wear a hat after riding, which works well in the summer as I am prone to sunstroke!
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Permalink Reply by Dorothy McDonall on
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I wear one every time I ride --- doesn't make any sense not to. I think hat head is cool!!
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Permalink Reply by Lallanslover on
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Having seen a friend struggle to regain her life, after being in a coma for three months, when thrown from a 'bomb-proof' horse (from a stand still, no less!), I ALWAYS wear a correctly fitted and approved riding hat. I will not teach anyone who considers themselves thick skulled enough to avoid injury when not wearing a helmet.
I also wear my hat when handling youngsters from the ground.
It took 35 years to get my brain so full of equine teaching, and I have many happy memories, I don't want it all wiped out in one moment because I was too vain and pompous to look after my head...
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Permalink Reply by Caroline Pettersen on
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I always wear a helmet, whether its my own horse or someone elses. It is pure laziness and an esthetic issue with some that don't and they are just plain dumb!!!
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Permalink Reply by Michelle Synnot on
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I always wear one. I've had some pretty nasty accidents, one I broke my back and for sure I would have been dead if I diddn't have a helmet on. Its also about role modelling for younger riders. Just a good practice all around.
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Permalink Reply by Sandy on
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The show barn I rode at when I was a teen didn't have any real rules on helmets, and my coach only wore one when jumping, so I made those attempts too, and only wore it when jumping. But my horse had some unpredictable behaviour at times, so I started to wear it all the time. It then became a habit, and like a seatbelt, feel strange without it, and exposed. I don't come off a horse easily at all, in fact, I don't think I've come off since a child, but I will still wear my helmet, even on the hottest days.
No horse is bomb proof, there will always be something beyond your control that can spook your horse.
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Permalink Reply by Lawrence (Chuck) Cannon on
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I accept the fact that wearing of an equestrian helmet can reduce the risk of permanent injury due to blunt force head trauma if you fall off of a horse. Similarly, the wearing of ballistic protective body armour can prevent you from being seriously wounded or killed by a gunshot in a gun fight . Statistics have shown this to be fact in either case. However; wearing these pieces of protective equipment is no guarantee that you will not die or be permanently injured in either scenario. I personally feel that too many people are strapping on the protective helmet and getting on horses totally unprepared for the bigger risk picture. No knowledge of horsemanship, no guidance from reputable riding instructors, No desire to become more educated about horses in general. Just a simple desire to get on these magnificent beast and go for the fairy tale event free ride. Realisticly strapping on a helmet and getting on a horse without any preperation, no situational awareness and no abillity to deal with the potential aiborne emergency that follows is the equivalent to putting on a bullet proof vest and boldly walking into a hail of machine gun fire. The bullet proof vest will minimize the injury to your torso but most likely you are going to be permanently and severly injured, maybe even die. Simply because you failed to understand that getting shot is something you should learn how to avoid using time, distance and cover in the first place. Then if you did get shot you should know how to treat the injury. Similarly the equestrian helmet does not magically impart knowledge to its wearer. It cannot tell you when things are going awrye, when you should get off the horse or even to tuck in your arms and legs so you can roll out of the sudden stop when you do hit the ground unexpectedly.The real secret to risk mitigation when horseback riding is much more than just fastening the chin strap of a helmet. I am a consenting adult and I take responsability for my decisions with regards to my safety and well being in all life activities, especially when working with horses. I will choose when and where it is appropriate for ME to wear a helmet based on my experience, knowledge and chosen equestrian activity. An activity which may or may not permit the use of a helmet for various reasons. .It seems the ongoing discussion about the appropriate use of the helmet is being tabled as black and white in context within todays industry. It is not so finite, except in the case of children. When it comes to minors I support the mandatory use of the equine helmet as legally required safety equipment. It is our responsabillity to protect the young because they lack the life experience to make sound decisions regarding activities that involve personal risk. However; in all other circumstances I feel it is totally the choice of the consenting adult.
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Permalink Reply by Ashley on
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Although I am a person who will always strap a helmet on my melon when riding, just as I strap a seatbelt on in the car, I think you have very thoroughly and intelligently brought up a good argument for your point. I give you kudos for actually putting thought into your opinion as opposed to just, "I think it's a useless piece of equipment without the proper knowledge." You do have good points about how protective equipment may or may not always save us. Often times, seatbelts do more damage than good. It is also a good point that using common sense in a situation such as this is only logical. I don't entirely agree with your point as I will always (as stated) strap a helmet on my head when riding or handling, but I feel that you have thoroughly defended your opinion.
Thanks for the contribution :)
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Permalink Reply by Geoffrey Pannell on
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Always, as a coach I'm very aware of setting good examples on and around my horses. As for coachs that tease people about wearing them, IDIOTS. YOU CAN REPLACE A HELMET, as far as I know they don't do head transplants yet!! Even the quietest horse can be fallen from. I know , I came off the kids pony the other day . That really hurt , but I had a helmet on so I didn't damage anything.
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