Riding without a helmet? your views on this...

Excactly! Lol :)

I don't. Never grew up wearing one and never got one when they became more popular to wear.

I think it's an individual decision and I think people shouldn't press people to wear one that don't want too. If a person feels they should wear one then they should wear one. I have no more right telling someone they shouldn't wear one than someone telling me that I should.

I don't think any of us are saying we'd force the helmet down on another person's head xD But personally, if I saw someone who wasn't an instructor or other senior person at the stables riding without a helmet, I'd ask if they wanted me to go fetch one from the arena for them. Because I do think it is awfully silly to go on a horse without one, and they'd get the hint whether they said yes please or no thanks.

I suppose I'm of the opinion that I can't make you wear a helmet, but if you're going to be doing something I perceive as very stupid, safety-wise, then you ought to at least be reminded that you're doing it. Fully informed decision and whatnot ;)

But no one's actually given a reason why they don't wear one, other than laziness or never getting into the habit. Personal freedom isn't an argument for not doing it, unless not wearing a helmet is an act of sticking it to the man xD Anyone got any other reasons why they don't wear a helmet? I really am curious ^^

But that's your opinion. And not shared by everyone. That's the great thing about choice, everyone gets one. If someone asked me if I wanted them to fetch me a helmet, my first thought might be mind your own business.

I don't have a magical answer as to why I don't wear one. Many people who don't wear one share some of the same reasons I already gave though. Grew up not wearing one, never really got into the craze of doing so once it became more popular.

Personal freedom is a very valid reason. Why is it not? You perceive it as stupid not to wear one, not everyone does. If a peson doesn't want to wear one, then that is their choice. Simple as that.

I hope this doesn't break the debating rules and whatnot xD I do like to get into the meat of a conversation (used to competitively debate, you see), and in advance just let me say that I am neither offended nor intending to offend. I know you can't be too careful online, where tone doesn't really carry across!

What I mean to say is that personal freedom is only a direct reason to not wear a helmet only if you're saying, "I have the right to not wear a helmet, therefore I choose not to just so that I can exercise that right." Personal freedom isn't the direct reason if you're saying, "I don't want to for reasons x y and z, and luckily for me I don't have to wear it, so I can listen to my reasons and not wear a helmet. Hurrah!" That's the kind of distinction I was thinking of. In the latter case, your real reasons for not wearing a helmet are x, y and z. And obviously x, y and z are all good reasons for you to make that decision, or else you'd be doing things differently.

And if you told me to mind my own business, I wouldn't argue back xD The only people I'd force helmets onto are close friends and family, because, you know, they're mine so they don't have the right to do things I think are silly :P I study chemical engineering, and we do work on pilot rigs (small-scale chemical plants, e.g. A distillation column 7m high instead of 70m) with lots of safety rules. For example, you should always have three points of contact on a ladder. So my classmates and I pointedly count how many hands and feet are touching when we go up and down them and tell each other off if they're standing there with one foot and one hand in the air xD And if someone takes off their safety hat or goggles, someone else will ram them back onto their head for them.

But the pilot rigs are a bit different xD Not wearing a helmet when riding is a personal choice, whereas we've all signed bits of paper saying we'll obey lab rules, and we also don't want to fail labs for not following proper safety procedures!

I'm not attacking the views of those who don't wear helmets, even if I have reasonably strong feelings in the other direction. I'm just indulging my liking for an engaged discussion and curiosity about different practices. Hope that's okay :)

Good points. What does your job have to do with riding helmets though? I'm the safety officer for our region where I work as a biologist and I still think it's a personal choice. At work you are required to follow certain rules to do your job. Outside of work, the decision still remains up to the individual and thankfully so.

Good discussion. I think it's an important decision for each and every person to make, on their own.

I'm still not sure what magical answer you are looking for as to why people don't wear them. I know that some people they cause migraines, no matter how many different ones they try. I know for others, despite the new advances in the helmet making, they make their head too hot.

Somehow, I don't think any reason would really be adequate for you though! There is nothing in the world that can't be argued against. So my thoughts are to leave it to the people themselves to decide what they want to do as each person's life is there own.

There are some instances where a helmet would save you from a fall and there are some where it wouldn't. There are people out there that choose to wear them and there are people that do not. How does someone not wearing a helmet affect you personally? That's the question I usually ask people who question me about not wearing a helmet.

I know the pain a badly-fitting helmet can cause >< I went trekking, and the one helmet they had that vaguely fitted me (which was odd, because I fit into anything from a 7 1/8 to 7 1/2) pressed right on my temples, giving me an awful headache for most of the ride. I don't own my own yet, but at my stables, I know that number 16 fits me just fine and head straight for that one xD My own hat will be my next investment.

With regards to the rig safety nonsense, I think I was just trying to convey the joking-about tone we take with safety, while we still do take it seriously. It's not all doom and gloom, after all :)

And I do take your point about it not hurting me if another rider doesn't wear a helmet. I suppose I'm a bit of a nag really.

Helmet.
Everytime.
You ride my horses you wear a helmet or you don't ride. Otherwise, what people choose is theuir own business, though I do think it should be mandatory for those under 18. Or maybe 21 so the parents won't be stuck with any medical bills by their kids choice.

And I quote from "Horseback Riding for Dummies":

When you shop for a helmet, make sure you buy one for equestrians, bike helmets don't protect the part of the head most affected in a fall from a horse. In the US the American Society for Testing and Materials sets standards for helmet construction. If a helmet meets these standards, it receives a seal of approval from the Safety Equipment Institute; buy only SEI approved helmets. And don't waste your money by not wearing your helmet properly. It shouldn't rock back and forth on your head but should rather be stable. The chin strap should be snug and not hanging loose.

The only time I force someone to wear a helmet is if they ride my horse. I'd just hate to see Sonny throw someone, them get hurt...not only would I be responsible, but I'd feel really bad also

I think it's a personal choice on if you ride a helmet or not, I but I'd perfer the kids at the barn where I ride to because they don't know what's dangerous and what isn't