Do you wear a helmet when riding? Poll

Started out never wearing a helmet as most didn't back in the good ole days. When I purchased my horses and brought them home, my non riding husband insisted that I always wear a helmet. I do not make promises that I can't keep, so now I wear a helmet. I do ride alone most of the time anyway so was a good idea. Took a while to get used to but now it's just part of my tack.

Funny thing is I never preach to other people about wearing a helmet, but they who do not wear one always feel a need to explain why they aren't wearing one. Makes me chuckle. I guess it's kinda like cussing around a priest, minister , nun ect.... feeling the need to be pardoned.

I should wear a helmet, but honestly the only time I do is if I am barrel racing or jumping.

I screwed up. I voted only when I'm jumping by accident. I wear my helmet ALWAYS unless I am competing western pleasure. Then I'm in my cowboy hat. But for warm-up I'm in my helmet.

I always wear - I have to wear :) But if I didn't have to I would wear it too... It only happened to me once that I forgot it, but I think m instructor didn't realise it.

I always wear a helmet. I often look dorky because we ride in a lot of situations, sorting cattle, lessons at the reining trainer etc. where even the little kids do not have helmets on. Very hard to make my daughter wear one when kids way younger than her do not have one on. Even skiing people wear helmets now, wish it was more accepted with horses. They will forever be unpredictable so it makes sense to me that when riding put a helmet on. My soapbox for the day.

I always ride with it. I am so used to it and I barely feel it on my head.

Always.

In fact, it came in handy just today. Was cantering along a usual bridlepath, around the corner, a branch had come down off a tree. It hadn't fallen completely but was hanging low. I had two choices - duck, or pull Lui up in a very short space of time. I ducked. The branch cracked off my helmet and skidded down my back. I can't say it saved my life, but it sure would have hurt if I wasn't wearing my helmet, and it would have REALLY hurt if the branch had got caught in my hair.

I wear one, but every once in a while I'll think Oh, I'm just in the pasture it's OK not to war one. But that's where I took a real bad fall. So I do try to wear it every time

I never wear one. Never have, and probably never will. I know I probably should, but to me it seems silly. I can't really even wear a hat. I don't like having that distraction on top of my head...I rarely even wear my baseball hat or beanie when I ride. It just depends on the weather. But no, I never wear a helmet and I don't think I ever will.....

I never used too, but then the farm where I got Toby at (and kept him there for a couple years) required them to ride. So I then got into the habit that just continued. I've been thankful for having it on more than one occassion. Its never the problem horse you expect to have something happen, its the freak accident that creates the worst problems.

For example - last summer we went out riding and my horse spooked a bit. Nothing big, but my girth let loose and my saddle went side ways and dumped me. That was not really bad at all. No - it was the fact that my husband's horse spooked as well and ended up going over me that was bad. He thankfully didn't step on me, but did clip me in the head. I had a small bruise but my helmet was completely cracked. That could have been my skull.