[Temposmom]

EXCELLENT!! I've gotten to the point I won't ride with someone that doesn't wear a helmet. Had just one too many experiences and coming out of the boondocks to try and get Life Flight back into a rider that is down, just isn't fun, SHE had a helmet on otherwise??? One of my other friends has one that split 4 ways, wasn't her head! I know at one time they suggest replacing them every five years as the foam starts to degrade.

[HorseGurly143]

I can't ride a horse without one, it is second nature! I don't let my mom ride without one either, I don't want to see her get hurt!

[AQHA Hunter]

Great thread, thanks for posting!

You definitely don't have to be jumping or racing cross-country to have the risk of taking a fall and hitting your head. I don't even think about riding without a helmet, though I rarely did when I was younger.

They have improved so much that they are really comfy, cool and lightweight now, so no excuse not to get in the habit of wearing one!

[Junior]

WHOA! My instructor fell at a jump and had a simalar helmet on (Made from the same stuff) and the helmet literally split in half, it was so scary!!

[Mannie]

Good on you for dissecting and posting the pictures. Those who make a point to wear a helmet are aware of the consequences of not wearing one. There are those who feel they are cumbersome and uncomfortable or they are exercising their right to not wear one. In any event the fact is your brain is like jelly and when a sudden impact occurs, the brain is slammed against the skull resulting in brain damage. The helmet will lessen the severity of the knock your head receives in a fall. I will never ride without my helmet and it gets replaced every 5 years.

[DressageGirl22]

Great pictures and info. You are right, a helmet MUST always be worn. I fell off and got a concussion a few years ago. There was a dent in my helmet too.

[Gallop N Gal]

Yep, I always wear my helmet, no matter how goofy it looks or no matter how much I trust Sandy, things can go wrong. I mean the ARE prey animals and even the quietest(is that a word?) horse will somtimes get spooked.

A lady here was riding her so called "bombproof" horse and the horse threw her and then stepped on her head... She was all right, but her helmet was completly smashed... Just somthing to think about.

[4hooves4me2]

I am not a helmet wearer-however-THIS thread has made me wonder if I should re-think a few things. ESPECIALLY knowing my hips are so bad that all it takes is one wrong move, out they pop, and off I roll! LOL! I have a horse now I need to get on and get him going...perhaps I WILL buy a helmet for that manuever-lol-

GREAT THREAD!

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

A wonderful thread!!

Hope your teacher gives you some extra credit!

I don't understand people who refuse to wear helmets. I even know of juniors and youths who's parents don't even bat an eye lash at the fact that their little child is on this 16+ hh horse without a helmet and going on trail rides, showing, etc. I just plain don't get it! I once said to the mother - "ya know everyone is someone's child, I'm sure your mom would be very upset if she lost you to a riding accident where a helmet would have saved you." The mother (I knew her, so it wasn't like I walked up to a complete stranger and said that!) looked at me, and said, ya I guess your right, then went out and bought a helmet for her kid and herself. I was impressed, but it didn't last more than about a year, they switched trainers (I wasn't the trainer to start with) and then the helmets started collecting dust again! I just plain don't get it!!!

[Feliche]

I didn't know about the 5 years thing! That's cool. I'll be sure to keep that in mind...though at the rate I'm going I don't think I'll need it to last that long...