Helmets or no helmets?

Question

well personlly i hate helmets know where i live they make it so you have to wear helmets in any equestrienne events even when you show HALTER. seriosly come one what happened to just the good old cowboy hat? I am a western rider and they made it so at gymkhanas you even have to wear a helmet!!!!If you fall off you fall off....helmets do protect your head but if anything did happen i would rather be dead then be stuck with brain damage..I will be going in to english but eh ill put up with the helmet if it means i can ride....what do you guys think of wearing helmets?

Answer 1

i hate helmets! but a friend of mine almost didnt wear her helmet once and when she put it on her pony took off and she fell underneath her and got kicked in the head. She was ok but they said if she would've forgot her helmet she would've died. i only wear my helmet while i am in an arena. And i only wear it then cause my horse is a barrel horse and she is crazy in the arena! lol but if you are trail riding then i say you dont have to wear one unless the horse is bein difficult.

Answer 2

Sure I don't like wearing them (they make my head look massive) and it is really quite stupid to have to wear them in halter classes. But it's safety first! I know, cliche   right? And your right, just put up with them so you can just continue doing what you love! It must suck to be where you are though,  I ride western and we dont have to ride with helmets unless we want to.

Answer 3

Well, I have to agree with you. I don't like wearing helmets, but I can understand making age restrictions on them, but thats about it. I mean, the only time I wear one is when it is required, no matter what people say. Most of the time, unless is it like 4H or e-team, I havent gone anywhere where I need to wear one, but ive never heard of helmets in halter or western! In my opinion, those who say "you need to learn how to fall before you can learn how to ride" were completely right. Honestly, If you cant control your horse then you shouldnt be riding it without a helmet. But if you know how to ride and how to fall and stick the landing [well years of gymnastics helps me with that, but still.. its something everyone should know] then you should be able to ride without a helmet if you are comfortable doing so!

Answer 4

Not long ago I was the sole witness and only person able to help in an accident where a girl without a helmet fell off a runaway horse and got a concussion.  I was with her when she came around, but she had a seizure while doing so, though she did manage to stand on her own and I got her safely to the barn before calling an ambulance.  But she was very disoriented, and I had to follow her to the hospital, talk to the doctors, and so on.  Seeing the wreck was terrifying.  Standing by her for the few seconds that she was unconscious felt like an eternity.  Her seizure scared the daylights out of me.  Wondering if I dared move her (she tried to move on her own, so saved me that dilemma) without possibly risking spinal cord damage freaked me out. (My first aid certification was expired years ago).  Spending hours at the hospital was not a good time.

If she'd been wearing a helmet, she would not have had the concussion, I am certain of that.  

All I can say is that while I am still a little lax on my own helmet use because I grew up in the days when no one wore helmets, it was very difficult to watch someone else be injured and since then I always make other people on my place wear a helmet (I even bought three adjustable sizes so no one has an excuse) and I am trying to get myself into the habit.

I know that wearing helmets while on the ground does feel rather silly, but I have had a horse's head collide with mine on more than one.  In fact, the only horse-related head injury I ever had was when I was hit in the face by a horse that was kicking at flies its stomach and my head was in the way, grooming a hind leg.  Dumb mistake on my part, luckily they didn't have a lot of power in the kick and I just got a big black eye and no permanent damage, but having on a helmet may have avoided that injury too,

Answer 5

well, horses are dangerous animals no matter how much we think we know about them and their personalities.

so heres a story or 2 about circumstances that NEED helmets and why they are so valuble to your safety!!!

(p.s this was fun to write)

one day he'san angel and one day he's acting like a idiot . but the day your horse was being an angel over your showjumping course -was the day you were not with it, and you go flying off the saddle and hit your head on the jump wing. you are layed on your back as the ambulance wraps you up and takes you to the emergency room because your arm might be broken and youve gone unconcious. you wake up to see the doctors around you changing your files around and talking to your loved ones.

" There is no serious damage mostly because of his/her helmet protecting this part of the skull that has been bruised. if she had not had it on we might have lost her. her arm is going to be in a cast but only for safety procautions."

you eyes widen from what he just said and a tear flows down your face .thankgod i wear a helmet.

story 2

your leading your favourite TB down into his stall ready to tack him up before the race. he is acting quite figity today and you think he knows that today is his debut.

you lead him on in and tie him to his hook. you start to unravel your grooming gear when  a horse in the stable has become loose and is frolicking about the yards and stalls whinnying to the other horses.

you ignore it knowing the owner will catch him and you just happy your horse isnt that annoying. but out of nowhere your TB swings his back end in excitement over as the horse outside is nnow at your stable door. this in turn knocks you over, he get a fright from your presence and kicks out! he just misses your face but he has knocked the side of your ear and you are bleeding immsefully. you try and get up and yell for help. your friend runs around from her stall to see you gripping onto the stall door in pain. she calls the ambulance service where you are taken to the emergency unit.

2 hours have gone by and your still in surgery, all you can hear is murmering and the odd beeping sound from the machine next to you. but all of a sudden they leave the room. you are alone for a while and all you can feel is relief. phew theyre done. after 5 mins your parents walk in holding eachother with their eyes all glazed over. this isnt  write, whats going on you think.

they come to your side and hug you . your mum is rubbing your hand and telling you everything alright . but you know shes lying. you frown at her and she notices your disbelief.

" they cant help you darling"

"the wound is infected and there is too much blood loss"

" i love you my baby"

you see your dad fall onto his knees and grip onto your hosptal blanket crying, he looks up and all you can see is a tear streamed face with regret and saddness flowing from his eyes.

this was your end, and you wish it didnt happen.

and thats it, ----------------------------------------...

i wear my helmet whenver im working with my horse where im kneeling, leading , lunging, riding and the list goes on.

because everyday i hear the same stories over and over. deaths because of the lack of safety equiptment or ignorance.

i dont want to become a statistic. and no body should in these circumstances...

Answer 6

I will be honest and say i have ridden with a helmet and without a helmet and both have posetives and negatives.  the only time i have ridden without a helmet is if I am working with a reliable horse and just working on flat exercises on a day with little distractions, but anything can happen.  Recently, at a barn nearby a girl was just hacking a horse and the horse just decided to speed up and when the girl emergency dismounted the horse she fell into a jump standard.  She suffered from brain trama and passed away.  Ever since then it has been no choice for anyone at our barn...We all wear hemets now, just get something that is nice and comfy, i love my gpa it fits me great and i don't even notice its on now.

p.s. for everyone... if you fall off wearing your helmet or drop your helmet onto a hard concrete ground from higher than knee level you are suppose to get a new helmet!!!!  it says this on the warranty of the helmets!

Answer 7

I don't like them either. I grew up riding barefoot and bareback. There were no helmets at my house. I am not a big person. When I wear an approved helmet, it throws my balance off. It feels like my head is really heavy and wants to flop around.  I will wear one when I am jumping a horse I don't know. I have never worn one while running barrels. If I get hurt I believe it's my own problem, not someone else's.

Answer 8

I don't like wearing a helmet either because I ride western, but I still do because I don't want to get brain damage if I fall on my head!

Answer 9

I have always worn a helmet. It's second nature so I don't really think about it that much.

If anyone else rides my horse I will insist on them wearing one as I don't want to be stuck with the guilt or whatever if they come off and get hurt.

Here it is the law that anyone under the age of 14 is required to wear one if they are riding on the road. After that it is up to you /your parents. They are required in all shows and at all riding schools ( in fact because of the insurance situation the riding schools have to insist on the hat being of the most recent safety standard )

Answer 10

I always wear a helmet.  In my experience during 12 years of professional horse training and showing, I have had two serious riding accidents involving head injuries.  Both accidents occurred while riding trustworthy horses, and were merely freak accidents.   In both accidents, my doctor said I would  not have died, but would have suffered permanent damage if I had not been wearing an approved safety helmet.  Instead, I would have been severely brain damaged or in a coma for the rest of my life!  Because I had been wearing a helmet on both occasions, I had only a minor-moderate concussion and a headache with no lasting effects.  So in my experience, you won't be lucky enough to just die if you hit your head without a helmet on, but you would have to suffer with long term or permanent brain damage instead.  By the way, one accident involved falling head first and hitting a jagged rock, and the other was my most quiet mount tripped in a hole we did not see and fell on me (she was ok and so was I).

Answer 11

i dont like them soo i dont were 1

u dnt have 2 wear 1 down here

i support the brain dead thing 2

Answer 12

I only wear helmets when i ride. I hate wearing helmets when i walk my horse in her around the yard. Some people say you always have to wear your helmet around horses but i think thats overkill.

I know people who don't wear helmets but they have been riding for 30 years and they have bombproof horses (which i hate!!)

Anyway.....

I like helmets.

Answer 13

i ride english, but i always wear a helmet. i dont think twice about it. but if you dont want to wear one then its up to you. lots of people on thier own property dont wear helmets because they feel more comfortable without one, but if it means you cant ride unless you have a helmet on, whats the point, just go with the flow :)

Answer 14

i hate helmets if your do something like barrel racing or stock work but if your jumping or ridding engish ridding i would wear a helment. Well personal i have just had a realy bad fall were the helment protected me from get brain damage and i only walked away with a brocked collar bone i would say were a helment if your jumping or riding a fresh or green brocken horse.

Answer 15

Honestly, I think you're mad.

A flimsy cowboy hat will do absolutely nothing to protect your skull when you fall. Sure, you might look cool, but not so much when you've fallen off.

Personally, I value my brain too much to let it go unprotected when I ride. The same goes for my children, or anyone who rides my ponies. No hat, no riding. The potential for catastrophe is huge.

Answer 16

me and my friend hate helmets we never were them even after she fell of her horse and fracture her skull still ride with out them

Answer 17

I don't like them...and I don't wear them...

UNLESS...I am going out on a horse that I know I will have problems with.

I do own one...but I am an adult and have made my choice not to wear one.  But I also WILL NOT allow a minor on one of my horses without wearing one.

The wisest choice is to wear one...I'm sure.  You only have one brain.  But I resent being TOLD I have to by some local law for my own horses.

If I'm on someone else's property or horses...and it's their rule...I wear them.  Other than that...I don't.

Answer 18

Helmet. Definatley. I mean, some brain damage you can fix, but there is a really small chance of getting brain damage with a helmet. and they make you wear a helmet in led events anyway just in case the horse decides to be ornery and bite you.

Answer 19

Ok I used to ride without a helmet when i was young and didnt know any better but 3 years of riding trackwork has made d**n sure i never get on a horse without one!!!!

I dont think its needed for showing halter horses....but

If you fall off your horse and land on your head with no helmet you probably wont die but you'll have that brain damage your so scared of!! If you have your helmet on you stand a good chance of just having a headache, Seriously, whats so bad about a helmet?? Do you think little kids shouldnt have to wear a helmet when riding a bike? A horse has a mind of its own and no matter how quiet it is accidents happen,

PLEASE WEAR A HELMET!!!

Answer 20

I dislike wearing helmets, but I do. Every time I ride. I do have to agree with you about the showing halter needing a helmet. No, it doesn't, unless you're english.