[buddiebreeze]

i just want to say how irresponsible i think it is to ride without wearing a safety helmet(riding hat)
I understand that many people on HGS are from the states which seems to me, to promote riding bareheaded lol,

but!!! i think it is SO dangerous......horses are unpredictable animals and wearing a hat COULD save your life!!!!
I also understand that riding without one is much more comfortable........but surely comfort shouldnt over-rule safety.

Riding is a huge RISK sport, so why not take all preventions possible to ensure our safety

I am not saying that riding with a hat......then falling off...you will live, but sure improves your chances.
Over here in Britain, you hardly ever see anyone without a helmet, but if you do its usually an advanced rider, but this gets me so mad......just because there is less chance you will fall off....it doesnt mean you wont.....and if you do DIE.......................its the ones left behind that have to pick up the peices!!!


So come on guys....please be more responsible....if not for yourselves but for your loved ones, be safe and have fun!!!

[ThisIsMe]

There are so many posts like this...and they just say the same thing over and over again.

It's a personal choice. You can't force people into wearing a helmet.

[buddiebreeze]

Originally Posted by ThisIsMe

There are so many posts like this...and they just say the same thing over and over again.

It's a personal choice. You can't force people into wearing a helmet.

i havent read these posts and dont think there is anything wrong with restarting a debate that the newbies can get involved in....im sure there are many threads in different topics!!!

i am not wanting to FORCE people into wearing them, im not dumb enough to think i could

But i am interested in finding out why people choose not to wear them!!!

[PaintedRocket]

I'm from "The States" but I honestly, do not see how "we" encourage riding without a helmet. The majority of places I know of, normally require the use of helmets, or no riding.

Using a helmet is a personal choice. Period, end of story. We all know the consequences of not using one, but it goes back to personal choice...whether the reasons are valid or rediculous.

I am from "The States" and I promote the USAGE of them..and I use mine.

I dont always ride with a helmet. I dont have to, either.

[buddiebreeze]

the reason i say that i get the impression of the states promoting non usage, is because every event i see....the riders are helmetless...........all the photos i see of riders that are posted on here(well almost all!) are without helmets!

i know that it is a choice, but its also a choice whether or not to call your vet if your horse has severe colic.....you could just take the chance that they will live........on the other hand, you could just phone the vet to ensure you do everything possible to ensure they survive


Why should we be any different? Shouldnt we ensure our own chance of survival???

I am curious as to WHY people choose not to wear them.
Is it because they think they are such great riders they will not fall off? Is there a stigma attatched to wearing them?? Or do some people just not care???

as i said.....i am just curious

[PeggySue]

buddie here is the deal in most western disciplines a helmet is not required but a western hat is .. Now they are changing rules to say apporiate head gear (no ballcaps) cowboys didn't wear them some of the old ways are still here.. upperlevel rider is no excuse not to wear one they are doing more diffcult things with thier horses increased risk but that does not seem to matter..

I don't wear a helmet or a seatbelt and NOBODY can make me

[MissCita]

Western Riders don't wear them in competition.
Upper level dressage riders don't wear them in competition.
Most dressage riders with enough experience don't wear helmets
when working their horses unless they're young/have a history
of doing unpredictable things.

I don't wear a helmet when I do dressage with Cita.
On the road and jumping I do.

[EquineJessie]

I used to always wear a helmet. Now, I almost never wear a helmet. Why? It's uncomfortable and most don't provide enough shade in the summer or enough warmth in the winter.

Ask any doctor familiar with horse injuries or any riding injuries (bulls/broncs/horses/etc) and they'll tell you that head injuries are extremely rare. You get mainly shoulder injuries from being thrown. For someone to fall and crack open their noggin, they've either got to be thrown into something solid, get their head hit by a hoof after the fact, or fly over the head of the horse when the horse refuses a jump or stumbles at a fast pace. Any other way of getting that sort of head injury isn't very likely and their chances I'll take as I don't jump, there's no place to gallop where I work, and all work is done at a slower pace or on even ground.

[Thrills]

Wearing a helmet is a personal choice.

Just like putting on a seatbelt, or deciding whether or not you want to try bungee jumping, or even getting ON a horse.

I never wore a helmet, except when required as part of my attire at shows.

Since having a baby almost 6 months ago....and morphing into ultra paranoid mommy mode... I have started wearing one.

Maybe one day I will stop wearing one...maybe I will wear one for the rest of my life.

the thing is...its my choice


I have never criticized anyone for wearing a helmet, so how come I get critized so badly for not wearing one?

[Chester]

Isn't it amazing what age and motherhood do to us.

I am thinking of a safety vest next.