Do you wear a helmet??

Hi everyone! I just wanted to start a discussion about helmet-wearing. Long ago, I never wore helmets, they were uncomfortable, made my head sweat and itch, and were comber-some. But, then I started to work at a mental hospital. One of the first patients I worked with was a teenage boy who sustained a severe head injury falling of a horse. He had been through his physical therapy, occupational therapy, and healing. But, he was in a psychiatric center with severe behavioral issues, like he would snap and tear apart a room. After that, I always put on a helmet - even with my fully-broke 16 year old QH. When you have an injury to the brain, people often think of loss of function, paralysis, etc. But, head injuries can change who you are, how you think and react, and it is not for the better.

Do you wear a riding helmet? Why or why not?

I always wear one always have always will I wear one because when I was learning how to ride I was only young and was told to do it and did what I was told and it has just stuck with me really

Every time! I don't see any reason not too, and so many reason too wear it! It's a rule in my barn and a habit, but I would wear one even if I didn't have too

I never have and knowing me, probably never will. My brother and I have both suffered head injuries (mine was minor; concussion and skull fracture and his was MAJOR) but neither of them were because of a riding accident. We were both afoot when it happened. I know it is kinda senseless not to wear one but I just don't think I would be comfortable in one even if I bought it so it would spend all of it's time sitting on the counter.

I will always wear a helmet. I had "fallen" off two horses and was glad I had a helmet each time.

I always make sure the students in the barn have their helmets as well. I had also recently yelled at my boyfriend for riding my horse without a helmet. He thinks he's invincble, but I didn't care. He got off my horse right away after I snapped at him. Sure, my horse is a sweetheart, but there will be one day where he might freak out and hurt someone.

I always wear a helmet. I wear it so much that now whenever I feel like I'm doing a "high risk" activity, most recently driving, my head gets a naked feeling that I always get when I accidentally forgot to put on my helmet and have hopped up on Lacey before I realize. Hahahahaha
I have a fear of pain and I've fallen off and been kicked in the head (not from Lacey, yet *knocks on wood*) but thankfully I was wearing a helmet. I can only think of what might have happened if I hadn't been wearing my helmet.

I wear a helmet, mostly because I value my life.

No, I don't. I also don't wear one when dirtbiking or bicycling. I have been through a serious fall and still just don't feel a desire to wear one. Yes, there is a risk, but there is risk to everything and this is one I am choosing to take for myself.

That's really a bad idea. Talk to my husband and some of his best friends who ride and you might have 2nd thoughts after hearing their stories.

Most of the time I don't. I usually have a baseball cap on instead.

However on trail rides, gymkhannas, and shows I always do!

I need a new one though, the one I have just doesn't seem to fit well and tends to give me a headache :( I haven't shopped for one in a long time, any duggestions/favs?