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Helmets

3K views 30 replies 26 participants last post by  HarleyWood 
#1 ·
I dont really like helmets they are sweaty and hot. but my mom makes me do i really need to were it or not.
 
#3 ·
Helmets are, of course, a safe choice and if I'm not mistaken (might be different area to area) she has legal right to make you wear one. They are sweaty and hot, I know, I sweat buckets riding and my bangs are a lost cause when I take off my helmet.

BUT if you're looking for a schooling helmet that isn't hot, look for one with a bunch of those little mesh ventilation holes, try taking a look at troxel, they seem to fit the bill there.
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#6 ·
I'm over 18 and have the choice as a consenting adult whether or not to wear my helmet.

My first and only fall that was not an intentional emergency dismount? I was hauled off a cantering horse and I landed on my face. Not on my side, not on my butt or back. MY FACE. I am pretty sure the resulting black eye and fracture could have been a LOT worse than just a black eye and a fracture if not for the helmet, which gave a good buffer zone for my nose.

My intentional dismount gone wrong? I landed on my feet, but my momentum sent me sailing backwards where I nailed my tail bone and the back of my skull. I'm just shy of 6 feet tall. Falling back and smacking my head into the ground is not fun.

I will gladly take broken limbs and what not, but my head? I like my skull in one piece. And I have had way to many close calls where I almost smacked my head into a jumping standard (the not so friendly wood pillar that holds the poles up for jumps) because a horse refused and swerved.

I like my helmet.

You will learn to like it too. :wink:
 
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#8 ·
I like my helmet.
I like my helmet it too! Its a Troxel!

Im over 18 as well and choose to wear it. First time I fell I wasn't wearing one cause my ex trainer said not to worry about it cause i was 18 at the time. Well I slipped sideways cause the girth came loose on my lesson horse and landed on the side of my head! Burised up my knee pretty good too. I got back on the horse and rode around the ring once more but next I went and bought a helmet.
I'm glad a I did second time I fell was when i fell off my horse cantering cause his canter is very choppy. I came off hard. Hit the back of my head (had a headache the rest of the week but thanks to my helmet I didn't have a concussion!) bruised my elbow and hip pretty bad. If i had landed just a little more angled I probably would have shattered them both! So yes you should defiantly wear your helmet!
 
#10 · (Edited)
As a minor it is your mothers choice, when you turn 18 it will be your choice.

I am lucky to have my mother trust my decisions. I ride with a helmet on green horses and horses I do not trust. HOWEVER, I also have the abilities of a spider monkey....I can cling to a horse who is bucking, bolting, crowhopping, etc no matter what. I've been like that since I was little....No way in hell are you gonna get me out of the saddle unless you are extremely determined or I choose to step off. Is it impossible? Hell no. However, I will not wear a helmet when I am showing any sort of western discipline. For that I either wear a cowboy hat that matches my show shirt or no hat at all, depending on the level of show. I will where one when I am english (Except dressage, I wear a hat in that, and I rarely show english anyhow) because it is required and/or the norm.

Long story short:

If wearing a helmet a safe choice? Absolutely.
Can you do anything about your helmet situation? No.
Later in life will you be able to not wear one? Yes.

When you grow up it will be your choice. Until then, tough it out :)

Oh, and I HATE troxels. Hatehatehate. I cannot even express how badly I want to throw every single one of those damned things into the fiery pits of hell. :lol: Tipperary is the only way to go in helmets, IMO
 
#15 ·
Oh, and I HATE troxels. Hatehatehate. I cannot even express how badly I want to throw every single one of those damned things into the fiery pits of hell. :lol: Tipperary is the only way to go in helmets, IMO
Troxels are only really good if you have a very round head. Anything else and it won't fit right.

I have an oddly shaped head, so I have found Tipperary and Ovation (my current one is an Ovation schooling helmet), to be comfortable.

Tipperary are also very well ventilated. I could actually feel a breeze on my head when I used them.
 
#11 ·
My helmet is an International (IRH) Equi-Lite DFS. They have accident replacement warranties for a small fee, and replaced mine when I snapped off the brim falling on my face.
 
#13 ·
I have an IRH.. I have fallen so many times from my horse and other horses with no damage or pain in my head. Body? yes.

I would be in a WORLD of hurt without my helmet.

Mine is velvet, no ventilation.. yes it's sweaty but it keeps me safe. I do not trust troxel helmets.. I feel really unprotected in other helmets. Mine looks like a literal brain bucket.

Horse riding isn't a fashion show. You WILL sweat and you WILL get hurt.

Listen to your mother.
 
#19 ·
I do not trust troxel helmets.. I feel really unprotected
I always thought Troxel helmets seemed too 'lightweight' myself...not "serious" protection...

until my friend had a horrific accident. Landed hard against the rail...suffered multiple broken bones. But thanks to her Troxel - her head was FINE!
 
#14 ·
I wear a helmet 99% of the time, the 1% being if I am bringing my horse in or just plodding around the paddock. Out of the 5 or so bad falls I've had 2 times my head hit the ground very hard and once a tree trunk, luckily every time I had a helmet on. I hate to think what would have happened if I hadnt been wearing a helmet when I ended up face first wrapped around a tree, my visor broke but it would have been my face otherwise. The brain is a pretty fragile thing, broken bones will mend but a serious brain injury is with you for life.
 
#16 ·
I MUST have a very round head...because my Troxel helmet (and my trainer's Troxel helmet which I borrowed for my first lesson before I got my own of the same make/model) EACH fit like a glove, and her's is a small, while I purchased a medium--only then utilized the pads to make it fit absolutely well, rather than just ultra-snug, as her's had the week before...

It is completely comfy, WELL ventilated, obviously meets the safety guidelines and standards set by such committees, and would not think of riding without one/it. I wear the chin strap (duh, as w/o it, what is the point?) and it actually kept me cooler despite that, since it kept the direct sunlight from beating right onto my head, and then, with all of the ventilation ports, really let the "steam" out, to the point that running a brush through my hair after made it look "passable", i.e. not completely horrid, so I musn't have sweat TOO much!

Come to think of it, I REALLY MUST have a very round head, because you know the old-style velvet (essentially) non-protective helmets of 20+ years ago? Mine NEVER fit correctly! It WAS OVAL shaped (!) from front to back, which always make it feel that the helmet was squishing my head at the sides, even if I rode with a larger size on (as in, one too big to be worth a darn)...& would feel huge and gappy in the front and back and then squeez-y on the sides! I guess my head has always been super rounded....huh, never thought of that.

Regardless of the brand or style, as long as it meets the safety standards required to make it a RIDING HELMET, if it fits correctly and is comfortable, it is the one for you! My advice, regardless of the type: ALWAYS WEAR ONE. Not because I disagree with the "it's a personal choice" thing, and not because I really care WHAT anyone whom I do not love and care about does with their brain, but for a few very simple and realistic, unemotional reasons.

>>>WARNING--MAJOR RANT COMING, STOP READING IF YOU WILL GET ****** PERSONALLY AT ME FOR SUCH...I CAN'T BEAR TO KEEP IT IN ANY LONGER--REMEMBER--YOU WERE WARNED.<<<

Over my 15+ years as an RN, working in the ER/ICU/OR/sub-acute/med-surg and yes, even psychiatric, (because those who survive traumatic brain injury have incredibly high levels of psychiatric diagnosis/sequelae) I have taken care of enough brain injured kids/adults living with trachs and on ventilators (at worst), and eventually simply bearing the scars of such (at best)...to tell you this:

1) A BED FOR LIFE WITH A BREATHING MACHINE HOOKED TO YOU TO KEEP YOUR BODY ALIVE, DESPITE BEING BRAIN DEAD OR NEARLY SO, IS A HELL OF A LOT MORE "CONFINING" THAN ANY RIDING HELMET IS...AND IT IS GENERALLY PERMANENT.

2) IF YOU CHOOSE (your choice--I know!!!) TO BE CARELESS WITH YOUR BRAIN AND ITS PROTECTION, I HAVE A SUPER HARD TIME ALLOWING YOU TO UTILIZE MY TAX DOLLARS AT A RATE OF A MINIMUM (at best, once you have BEGUN TO stabilize!) OF ABOUT $5,000/DAY TO KEEP YOU ALIVE; BECAUSE YOUR INSURANCE WILL RUN OUT WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS--EVEN WITH THE MOST INCREDIBLE COVERAGE AVAILABLE--FOLLOWING YOUR BRAIN INJURY.

3) AND YAH, I GET IT, YOU WANNA "DIE DOING WHAT YOU LOVE" AND ALL...WELL, GUESS WHAT? MOST HEAD INJURED PEOPLE DON'T DIE, AT LEAST NOT RIGHT AWAY. MOST PUT THEIR PARENTS, HUSBANDS/WIVES/CHILDREN THROUGH THE AGONIZING DECISION OF WHETHER OR NOT TO DISCONTINUE LIFE SUPPORT (OFTEN DUE TO THE ABOVE ISSUE WITH FINANCES). OR, IF YOU CAN GET PUBLIC AID (AFTER THE MEDICAL FACILITIES/SURGEONS/ETC...HAVE GONE THROUGH EVERY DIME YOU/YOUR WHOLE FAMILY HAS, ONCE YOUR INSURANCE RUNS OUT--"IF" YOU HAVE INSURANCE, THAT IS(!!) IN ORDER TO KEEP YOU ALIVE.

FINALLY, WHEN YOU DO PASS, IT WILL BE FROM ONE OF TWO THINGS...A) YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE TO DISCONTINUE LIFE SUPPORT (wonderful to do to them, eh?) OR, B) YOU WILL, UNDOUBTEDLY, EVEN WITH THE BEST CARE, EVENTUALLY SUCCUMB TO INFECTED BED SORES LARGE ENOUGH FOR A MAN TO FIT BOTH FISTS INSIDE OF AND WHICH ALLOW ME AS YOUR RN, AS I CHANGE YOUR DRESSINGS MULTIPLE TIMES EACH DAY, TO COMPLETELY VISUALIZE YOUR COCCYX BONES, YOUR HIP BONES, AND OTHER REALLY LOVELY INNER-PORTIONS OF YOU...

4) IF, GOD FORBID, YOU ARE SO VAIN AS TO NOT WEAR A HELMET FOR "FASHION REASONS" --"I LOOK UGLY WITH IT ON!" OR SO EGOTISTICAL AS TO FEEL, "I'M A BAD-*** RIDER AND THUS I DON'T NEED A HELMET", "I AM NOT SOME BEGINNER", ETC... THEN YOU ARE FAAAAR TOO CONCERNED WITH WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD THINKS OF YOU/HOW THEY PERCEIVE YOU AND SHOULD BE A BIT MORE CONCERNED WITH ENSURING THAT YOUR HARD DRIVE (BRAIN) REMAINS INTACT, 'CAUSE BRAIN DEAD FOLKS DO NOT LOOK PRETTY--EVER--, CANNOT "COWBOY UP" AND CLIMB BACK ON THEIR HORSE TO SHOW HOW BAD ASSED THEY ARE...

HOW MANY OF YOU OUT THERE WHO ARE "TOO COOL/TOO HASSLED/TOO HOT/TOO ANNOYED BY HAVING ANYTHING ON YOUR HEAD" TO WEAR A HELMET?

THINK ABOUT HOW UTTERLY UN-COOL, HOW MUCH OF A HASSLE (NOT TO MENTION EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL), HOT/SWEATY YOU WILL GET AND ANNOYED EVERY SECOND OF YOUR FUTURE LIFE AS A PARTIALLY DISABLED PERSON--IF YOU ARE LUCKY AND BLESSED ENOUGH TO GET THE CHANCE TO REHABILITATE FOLLOWING A BRAIN INJURY--AT HAVING TO BE HELPED TO EAT/DRINK/TALK/WALK/PEE/POOP/ETC...FOR UP TO 10 YEARS or MORE!

I sincerely apologize if anyone feels I am being cruel, especially if others have family (as I do!) who have gone through all of the above things, or perhaps have gone through some aspect of such yourself! I simply have read SO MANY DARNED threads with people saying "It's his/her own choice to wear/not wear a helmet (IT IS!! I AGREE!)...but I cannot sit quietly and not at LEAST bring up the least serious (YES, LEAST!) of what I have seen following TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)...people, you go ahead and make your decision, rebel against whatever, don't wear that "STUPID HELMET!" but please please please...KNOW EXACTLY what you are getting yourself, and your WHOLE FAMILY INTO first, (not to mention that horse you love so much, that same horse who likely will NOT BE GETTING A LICK of attention as the family cares for your brain dead/brain injured body for months to years...seen it too many times to count).

*****Sorry to the OP...just please realize why your mom wants that helmet on you...she loves you. Riding is SO DANGEROUS, and SO MUCH of that danger cannot be prevented...but read some of the stories under "Your Worst Fall" and the like on this forum, and see HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE SAVED because they had helmets on!!! Also, this is the ONE INJURY/PART of the body that CAN BASICALLY BE PROTECTED while riding! Why not DO IT????
 
#18 ·
I'm 22 and I always wear a helmet. I was demonstrating to a student how to mount the other day and there wasn't a hope in hell my foot was leaving the ground without a helmet!

I discovered these pads at horseland that you put in your helmet. They supposedly soak up the sweat then you throw em away. If sweat worries you try that.

I did cool my horse down about a month ago with no helmet. I was walking in a familiar environment on my mare I have had for 8 years. I was also on the verge of heatstroke taking off the helmet fixed that.
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#20 ·
I always wear a helmet I love my ovation. It fits me better than any helmet I have ever had. Its light weight and it was very affordable. I have had troxel and they are good.
I wear a helmet because I know a guy who was driving his horse and the horse and cart flipped. He was trapped under the cart and passed out. He came to and was able to pick up the pieces of his helmet and got his horse, then he went to the ER. He took his helmet with him. At the ER they told him that his helmet (which had split into three pieces) had split in the exact same way his skull would have. He healed and was able to drive his horse a few weeks later. Its a safety thing, you only have on head and brain you should protect it. Helmets are not just for riding they are for driving as well.
 
#21 ·
I love my helmet (Tipperary Sportage) and forget that it's even on half the time. It's been very hot here lately, and my entire body is a sweaty mess...but not my head! I've only recently started riding (at 28) and when I told my mom I was taking lessons, the first thing she asked me was if I have a helmet. :)

I posted this in another thread, but it's true - for the most stubborn rider, a helmet is at the very least a good reason to sport some french braided pigtails.
 
#23 ·
I love Back2horseback's post. Protect your brain! I am studying to be a psychologist and after being taught what can happen in a brain injury, even a minor one, there is NO way I am getting on a horse without a helmet, and I'm 20 years old AND a fashionista. I never wore helmets when I rode my bike around the neighborhood, because what I did on the bike was ENTIRELY in my control. Horses with even the most amazing training, even a "dead broke" horse (if that exists) can trip. They are animals with a mind of their own. I never expect to fall off my horse, but when it happens (which it DOES TO EVERYONE unfortunately) the first thing I worry about is if my head is okay.

Educate yourself on the parts of the brain and how crucial every part is. Your frontal lobe is major in personality or what makes you, you. If you damage this part you could become aggressive or irritable forever. The occipital lobe, which is located on the lower part of your head, is in essence in charge of your vision, hit it and your brain my become unable to translate what your eyes see. Seriously, knowing the parts of the brain is enough to scare me into wearing a helmet. I want my brain in its full capacity for the rest of my life!!
 
#24 ·
I ride with a helmet whenever I'm off the property, at lessons, jumping,or on a new horse/ spooky horse. I sometimes don't wear a helmet when I do flatwork. If you feel comfortable with out a helmet I don't see why not. It's a personal preference, but if you are under 18 then your mother is responsible for you and you need to listen to her.
 
#27 ·
MollyDanielle--

You already know that you have to do as your Mom says...

After all...you didn't really think you'd be able to get away with "But I asked a bunch of random strangers on the internet and THEY said it would be fine!" did you? LOL!

Happy riding and stay safe!!
 
#28 ·
At my barn, we are required to ride with helments but one of our barn owners does not. He is a very experienced rider and has had some major falls trying to train our horses. I have asked him why he doesn't ride with a helmet and he just responds that when he was a young boy he never grew up wearing them so it is very uncomfortable and distracting to wear them now. He then told me that he wished he had because he has had many bad accidents which could have been stopped by wearing them. He has tried to train himself to wear helmets but still only wears them during shows. Helmets are on our heads for a reason. You don't want to end up like the guy at my barn. He regrets his choice and you will to after a bad fall. Stay on the safe side and just get a better helmet. Sweat won't kill you but riding without a helment might! :D
 
#29 ·
Do I really need to wear it?
Yes.

Especially since you're a minor, and I believe by law in most states anyone under the age of 18 is required to wear them.

When you reach the age of majority, you can make your own decisions. Until then, wear your helmet and thank your mother for loving you enough to nag you about it.
 
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