Replacing helmets

I would replace it. It could be cracked on the inside. $40 for having a functioning brain is a bargain!

Why would you jump off the horse rather than try to calm him down? IMO people are far too eager to jump off. Unless you were in a dangerous spot, you probably didn't do yourself any favors.
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I should have added I've never replaced a hat due to age, mine generaly don't last long enough to get to that stage.

DA I agree. I'm very much of the oppinion that I'll sit to anything. There is only one time that I have sat that I should have bailed and it resulted in a rotational fall, a kick to the head, being out cold for 20 mins, 2 crushed discs in my lower spine and horrific scarring on my left arm

WOW! $600? Hey--our heads are worth it

True! I never thought about the INSIDE being cracked :)
And he was galloping (I've never galloped before!) and took me more than halfway around the track--there was no stopping him which was REALLY cute because he is sooo chill and relaxed normally. He was also headed towards the barn and I knew he was going to stop there and I didn't want him to do this big sliding stop or something and slam me into the barn/fence/gardens :)

WOW! I hope you're okay!!!

I'm fine, it is one of my more spectacular falls but as I ride Hot competition horses, problem horses and newly broken horses I tend to take a fair number of falls.

In your situation I'd personaly have sat him and when he started to slow down i'd have kicked him on and kept him going untill he was absolutly dripping and desperate to stop. It makes them think twice about ever doing it again.

Or if I didnt have time to keep him galloping then i'd have hauled on the inside and jammed him onto a very very very tight circle. He can't keep galloping on a tight circle and would have to stop.

Is it really bad that I've never thought about replacing my hat due to age? I haven't fallen off in 4 years (since the one where I nearly broke my neck) despite breaking and schooling youngsters, competing eventing and schooling and competing difficult horses for owners - I've been very lucky, had a few near spills but not come off. (Now I've said this I bet I get bucked off tonight). So my hat is probably due to get replaced, but I've never gone this long with one before so never had to consider it!! X

A lot of helmet companies will give you a credit towards a new helmet if you send them your old one after you fall off. I would check the website of the brand helmet it is to see if they offer that. I know Troxel and ovations do since I've owned both those brands.

Mmm...I wish I could've thought! It was insane--my mind was blurred, if you know what I mean. But he did get spooked, so I wouldn't want to punish him for that. But thanks for letting me know that its far better to sit it out than to bail--I always just assumed bailing was the better thing to do!

I've also never replaced a helmet due to age. Mine is probably 6, or going on 6, years old. It's one of those $500 GPA's so I'm not exactly rushing out to go replace it (I do have my eye on a fancy new one though..but I need to come up with $450 for it ). I don't think I've taken a fall in my GPA as I haven't fallen in years but with 5x a week regular use it's getting a little icky and worn so I want to get it replaced!

If there is even a remote chance that you hit your head, go get your helmet replaced. As previously mentioned, a working brain is worth every penny of that $40 :)