There is no doubt that riding horses is a dangerous sport. You are putting your life at risk when you are sitting on top of this 1,000 lb. animal. While some horses may be trained or "bombproof" as some say, they can still be unpredictable and spook at sounds or objects. For various different reasons, people may not wear a helmet. Many people don't wear a helmet because of comfort or it doesn't look cool. While wearing a helmet may not be the most fashionable, it does serve one sole purpose- to protect your head.
Risk and Prevention of Injury
According to research, head and neck injuries are the largest type of injury in equestrians. A study by the National Trauma Data Bank shows that over 70% of deaths were related to a head or neck injury. While you may not be able to prevent some injuries, wearing a helmet reduces your risk of a severe head injury by 50%.
Based on research, most riders involved in accidents were not wearing a helmet. A high percentage of riders don't simply want to wear a helmet, along with others stating that they forget to wear a helmet, it's too hot with a helmet, or uncomfortable to wear.
Shopping for a Helmet
Helmets can be very fashionable, and there are many options. For example, Troxel helmets have many different styles, colors, and patterns. You can also add a sun visor on your helmet. If you want more of a western look, the Resistol Ridesafe helmet may be a good option. It looks like a cowboy hat, but protects your head!
When looking for a helmet, you need to consider a few things. You want to make sure that the helmet is ASTM/SEI certified and is designed specifically for horseback riding. Other helmets such as bike riding helmets should not be used for horseback riding as they are not designed for it. When shopping for a helmet, look at the features you would like to have such as air vents or the shape fit. There is a general rule that helmets should be replaced every 3-5 years after purchase. This is because the helmet suffers from wear and tear, and also if you have a fall it needs to be replaced.
My Favorite Brand Helmet
Horseback riding helmets can be costly, but one of my favorite brands that have affordable options are Troxel helmets. Troxel helmets are not only affordable, but they are also ASTM/SEI certified. This means that all Troxel helmets have been tested and that the helmets have met the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials. Troxel has many styles to choose from, and are geared towards all disciplines.
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