Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rose Paris on September 15, 2009 at 9:51am

I think wether horses or motorcycles should be up to the rider they are the one risking it. I personally wear one on motorcycle and in speed games on my horse also. And I think if I was to be jumping I would also wear a helmet but I still think should be personal choice.

Permalink Reply by Chris Gloin on September 15, 2009 at 12:48pm

When I was sixteen I was riding an outdoor course and was thrown off and landed on my head - my helmet was flattened, and i had a major concussion - if I hadn't been wearing that helmet it's highly unlikely I would still be riding. As for stopping the rest of your body from moving? they don't fit that far down. Christopher Reeves broke his neck at C1/C2 - very common place for a fracture because there is only one little projectile piece of bone holding the vertebrae together. I can't imagine not wearing a helmet - I know I could still really hurt myself - but I worked in neuro trauma for a long time - anything you can do to prevent a head injury - you should do.

Permalink Reply by Gail Morse on September 15, 2009 at 12:53pm

Hi Chris: I agree with you but I was the one that started the helmet topic. I guess it has been popular. I am a bit behind moving Pekoe in as we lost a trailer connection part and need to replace it to move to Ridgeview tomorrow morning. I have been enjoying the trails at Pleasure Valley but also look forward to the people and new experiences with you guys. Are you having Spud read by Lauren Bode on Sunday? I want to see what Pekoe has to say after 9 years. Gail.

Permalink Reply by Debbie Matuszewski on September 15, 2009 at 9:33pm

What you say makes sence. I found all this negative information from a site called cowboy bob-who has all kinds of negative things he says about helmets. I will stay away from that sight. I found this site while looking for horse email cards that were free to send.

Permalink Reply by Ann Hatfield on September 24, 2009 at 1:59am

I think you will also find if you look at sites for equine accidents/injuries that researchers and doctors and nurses have prettty good material collected over the years to say helmets save more lives than they endanger. I have looked up these sites. My helmets have literally saved me. I also wear a crash vest 99% of the time. I had a rockfall come off a road cut above me, as I rode by, and had my horse leap out of the way out from under me; had I not been wearing it that ride I would be talking with you now from a wheelchair, if I could indeed even move my hands at all, as I cracked a vertebrae right through the vest. If some people value wind in their hair, or the Western look, more than their heads (or necks, spines or shoulders or collar bones), more than becoming veggies and never supporting their families again or even living with them again, then perhaps they would like to choose to pay for their medical care in the same way they chose not to wear a helmet. I guess adults should be allowed to choose to wear a helmet or not, I am glad that in Canada the rules in many shows/competitions obligate children to wear helmets. I believe that if the technology exists, why not use it?

I insist that any adult at my barn wears a helmet when riding or doing any activity close around horses. And any young person mucking stalls or anything anywhere near a horse or pony wears one, hot day or not.

Permalink Reply by Marti Langley on September 24, 2009 at 11:49pm

I always wear a helmet riding on our Harley, it is Calif. state law, but there are those fighting it. If I am ever so unfortunate to land on the road I want that helmet. As for wearing a helmet every time I ride my horses, well, TBH. I don't. But when I am riding in the forests and hills near me I sure do. I actually think wearing a helmet and protective vest is the smart thing to do, and I may be buying a vest soon.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Lamm on December 10, 2009 at 6:52pm

I wear a helmet because I feel safer and that helps both me and my horse... I look alot cuter without one though that is for sure...... :) I wish my hair could just blow in the wind.... I hope none of you ever experience a serious injury without or with one.....

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth J. Chilcott on January 17, 2010 at 2:22am

As to Christopher Reeves accident: The helmet had nothing to do with the accident. other than he would have had a severe concussion along with his broken neck. His hands got tangled in the reins and martingale as his horse was refusing a very small drop jump. (he got ahead of the horse). As the horse backed off the jump Reeves went over the horse landed on his head and the rest of his body flipped over his head causing all the torque on the cervical spine. The fence judge happened to be a doctor and immediately realized what had happened and began breathing for him until the EMTs arrived and took over. Eventing helmets are designed to "break" on impact to absorb the shock that would otherwise be transferred to inside the the cranium. Like wearing car seat belts helmets prevent more serious injuries than cause them. Which is why it is important to have them checked after any fall involving a knock on the head.