[arabianlvr87]

My helmet is ASTM and SEI certified. I know there are helmets that are not ASTM/SEI certified. What is the point at buying one that isnt safe? (Well, unless they had a death wish or something...) but in reality, what's the point in buying one?

[Paintlover]

They fit a lot closer to the head so they don't look as bulky. But I prefer the look of a 'real' helmet over the nonastm

[hossluva]

I know a girl that accidently bought one, went to a show and they asked to check it. She had to borrow mine for her classes. I'm not sure why they didn't check it to make sure...

[emsNkeeper]

You're typical non ASTM helmets are the ones with removable or no chinstraps... they just sorta suck onto your head. You'll find them very popular on the AQHA circut. I personally get headaches from them... and I like my helmets that stay on when I fall off... that is the point right?

[luvs2ride79]

For looks. The non-saftey helmets are lower profile and look nicer, IMO. An adult can use them for showing in Hunter classes. Most jumpers use saftey helmets.

When I was riding hunters I used a non-saftey helmet for shows. I have a big head and saftey helmets look HUGE on me! lol I do wear a saftey helmet for general riding though. I do NOT get on my horse without my helmet.

~Barb

[harli36]

I have a helmet that is not certified. I bought it before the certified helmets were a big thing. I absolutely LOVE that helmet. It is very comfortable and I don't feel like I have a pumpkin on my head since it is not bulky. It does have a chin strap that I wear all the time. I don't see how it would suck to your head you fit them to your head the same way you do a certified helmet.

The companies that make the certified helmets have led people to believe that only their helmets will protect you in case of a fall. I think that is just bull. My helmet has saved my life several times I'm sure, even though it wasn't certified. I do think that in certain instances the certified helmet would provide more protection than a non-certified helmet however I also think that in certain instances the non-certified helmet provides more protection than the certified. Let me explain... Back one time when I was taking lessons, right around the time that the certified helmets were starting to get popular, I saw a women fall off her horse. She fell off in front of the horse in such a way that the horse had to step over her. Well as he tried to do so his hoof caught the edge of the huge helmet and he ended up partially stepping on her face! If she hadn't been wearing a gargantuan helmet then she would have been fine. Instead she ended up in the hospital in acoma.

I recently bought a certified helmet for my little sis. I'm not extremetly happy with it. It was labeled to have the lowest sillohet.(sorry sp) of all certified helmets, but it is still huge. Also the harness looks to be nothing more than ribbon. The helmet is extremely uncomfortable too. The styrofoam that surrounds the inside gives me a headache and the helmet is not too small for me. I need to get a new helmet soon and I really don't know which one is better to get.

[Blistering Winds]

I'm with harli. Just because they aren't certified, doesn't mean they aren't just as safe. The companies just DON"T pay the thousands of dollars to have their helmets tested by those companies to get the STAMP of approval. Which racks up the costs of the helmets.

Many of the non-certified ones have chins straps, and look JUST like the certified ones. Just without the StAMP of approval.

I personally like the Troxals and the International helmets to ride in since i have to ride in a certified one for class. I hve an international one with the adjustable dial on the back. Costed me 40 bucks from Valley Vet.

[madvoice]

Here in Australia all pony club, under 18 hack classes and showjumping classes, riders must wear an approved standard helmet. Even though I'm over 18 and can wear a top hat if I wanted to for show/hacking I much prefer my approved helmet. It gives me more of a peace of mind.

[harli36]

"Here in Australia all pony club, under 18 hack classes and showjumping classes, riders must wear an approved standard helmet."madvoice.

They do that over here too madvoice. In fact I even just read an article about helmets and it said that the state of New York made a law that says anywhere you ride in the state you must have on an approved helmet. It has to be approved. The article also said that other states will be adopting similar laws. That makes me mad. I can almost understand a law that says you have to wear a helmet. But a law that says it has to be approved? Whoever said that this country was a free country was a liar. I wonder who is pushing these laws. The companies that approve the helmets?

[madvoice]

It initially made me mad as I had to shell out almost AUD$200 for a new approved helmet. The reason why helmets now have to be of an approved standard is for insurance indemnity purposes. Any riding school, trail riding centre, Pony Club etc must ensure that all of its riders maintain the correct standard or they void their insurance cover. If a rider comes off a horse at a riding school that isn't wearing a helmet or a non approved helmet they can successfully sue the riding school. Its a shame that things are getting that bad.