Why Helmets?
Everyone should try riding at least once in their life! Its fun and a great source of exercise! However, horses are also unpredictable, which can make them potentially dangerous. Life threateningly dangerous. I know many people who have ridden horses for many years that, without their helmets, they would either be severely handicapped or dead. This is not meant to scare you away from riding. "School horses" are called that for a reason. If an accident happens, that's what it is, an accident. Most school horses are used for lessons because the instructor trusts the horse to take care of her students. These horses are usually without vices (biting, bucking, kicking, etc.) but even the best horses can have a bad day. A trainer/instructor can’t predict a horse stumbling, falling, tripping, spooking, or getting injured. These things can happen randomly and without reason to any horse. A horse that is lazy and is nearly impossible to get going could take off if bitten on the butt by a horsefly. A perfectly sound, strong, young horse in a flat arena can turn an ankle or catch its toe. It happens. And many times these are moments when the rider is not prepared either and ends up coming off the horse. If you are lucky, you will land fairly softly and have nothing worse than bruised bottom, and maybe some bruise pride too. However, if you were to fall in front of or underneath the horse, you could get stepped on, kicked, or both. If you fall wrong you can hit your head on the ground or a stray rock that may be covered by dirt or grass Any time you fall you risk having a head injury. This is why helmets are so important. Riders who have fallen off and had their heads stepped on have lived and come up without major injury because they had a helmet on. Always protect the most important part of your body, your head!
Here are a few reasons you'll see people give for not wearing a helmet while riding.
"They are uncomfortable." You will usually see this excuse the most often when asking people why they choose not to wear a helmet. In the summer they say its too hot, and in the winter it's not warm enough and leaves their ears out to get cold. While helmets can cause some extra sweat in the summer, they are usually very well ventilated and don't generally cause an actual problem with overheating. In the winter, buy a nice pair of ear muffs and a neck gator. Neither of these excuses are based on sound logic.
"They aren't what is traditionally worn in my discipline." This excuse usually comes from those in the western world. It's well known that in western disciplines, such as reining, barrel racing, cutting, roping, etc. it is traditional and usually required to wear a cowboy hat. However with the evolution of equine sports more and more western shoes are allowing or even requiring helmets for riders. Another area of controversy is when dressage riders reach Grand Prix level. Traditionally at this level a rider is allowed a "rite of passage", that is the top hat. The top hat is only allowed at Grand Prix, and several years back when shows started requiring helmets at all levels, there was a huge pushback from those in the community who had "earned" the right to wear the hats through years of hard work and dedication. However, fashion isn't going to keep your horse on its feet or keep you safe in an accident. Better to wear a helmet and be safe.
"Helmet hair is awful!" Yep I'll admit that helmet hair is pretty atrocious some days, especially when your bangs are smooshed to your head with sweat or in the winter are flying from static. So instead of avoiding helmet hair, carry a comb and be proud that you protected your brain!
"I'm an adult and I can make my own decisions based on risk"... ok... Yep that is a true and faithful statement. But wouldn't you want to risk less when your life is on the line?
"I'm an experienced rider." Again, let me point out that most people are very experienced walkers(been doing it my whole life) but I don't know a single person who hasn't fallen down the stairs or tripped over a crack in the sidewalk. Being an experienced rider doesn't exempt you from accidents. It may make accidents less likely, but they still happen to the best.
"My helmet gives me a headache." So, go get a helmet that fits your head so you don't get headaches. The only viable excuse that could be in this category is a rider with specific medically diagnosed sensory disorders that cause issues with things on or around the head and face.
"Helmets are expensive!" Sure some are more pricey than others! But IRH, Troxel, and Ovation make good quality helmets for a smaller budget. Another thing to think about...What's more expensive, the helmet, or all the medical bills that come with severe head injuries?
"I can get hurt in any number of ways if I fall off!" Yes that's true. You could fall off and break a limb, get bruises, or even a spinal injury. Sometimes those injuries can even put an end to your riding, however, you will almost always be able to heal and move on with life after even some more severe injuries. Head injuries/brain injuries, don't always heal. No medicine or surgery in this world can fix brain damage once its done. I like to think of it in this way. I know I can be hurt many ways with horses, so it makes sense to use safe equipment to protect myself as much as possible.
A note on "other" kinds of helmets. Football, bike, rock climbing, and hockey helmets (or anything that's not specifically for horseback riding) are not viable alternatives. Horseback riding helmets are designed specifically to protect from injuries that would result from the various accidents that can happen around horses and are the only variety of helmet your should use. If you are going somewhere to ride and are offered a helmet that is NOT a horseback riding helmet, think twice about using that business. If they don't care enough to give you proper safety equipment, then where else could they be cutting corners?
To sum up, horseback riding is amazing. It is different from any other form of exercise, its thrilling, exhilarating, and takes time to build skill and ability. It is SO rewarding, and it offers a chance to connect with another partner and to try to understand that partner and to communicate what you want so that hopefully you both can have fun and stay safe. The harsh reality is that you can get hurt. Just like being a careful driver doesn't mean you won't ever be in a car accident, being a skilled rider doesn't mean you'll never fall off. That's why when we drive cars we make sure they are in good repair and we wear seatbelts, and its also why we should ride with equipment that is in good shape and wear a helmet. Its always worth it.
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