I'm all for wearing helmets and such, but don't push wearing one to someone who doesn't want to wear one. I for one hate helmets. Never wore one and don't think I'll start any time soon. More likely to get in a car wreck than a horse wreck. I don't poke fun of people wearing a helmet, and it really irritates me when I am out riding and you hear whispers 'oh she's not being safe and wearing a helmet' I wear my ball cap to keep my part from buring and to protect my eyes from the sun, and I enjoy riding, not going to worry about every little thing and wear a helmet. If others want to..great, no bashing, but don't go bashing people who choose not to wear one. If the statistics for getting head injuries are going up, then maybe people need to sit down and perhaps train their horses a little better. JMHO

Well nothing is going to eliminate all injuries, honeysmom. But just a seat belts and airbags help to reduce traffic deaths inside a vehicle, wearing protective equipment could safe a life or make the injuries less severe if more folks used a riding helmet when riding. Many shows require helmets for all youth classes. I think it is a good thing. But thank goodness we live in the USA and it is still a choice for many. janice

Christopher Reeves had a helmet on...most injuries from falling off a horse are not head injuries...they are spinal cord injuries..what are ya gonna do... wear a metal jacket contraption????

This is a free country and everyone can still choose,withoout the law (somethings) Who in their right mind,would not protect their head? I am an instructor and I see people without helmets,but it is their choice and they have to deal with the consequences. People do dumb things.

I had a very good friend who was killed the week of thanksgiving this past year when her horse spooked and threw her. Since she died of a basilar skull fracture (no neck injuries), this tragedy may have been avoided had she been wearing a helmet.

like anything else it takes some adaptation..... the numbers are in.. helmuts save brain matter. Brain matter does NOT get REGENERATED. Like new rings or hair fixtures, one adapts. I have ridden at a canter under trees and the trees hit my helmut. Perhaps lack of attention was more of the problem, than the helmut and because an excuse was needed to not wear the helmut, that was substituted. I wore the kevlar helmut out on the firing range and when needed in Iraq. Yup not fun but better than the lack of protection. There is NO guarantee but we can reduce the risks. Quit the excuses and use some common sense.

we all have stories on this topic... my best friend who rode western pleasure, accomplished rider, beautiful, engaged to a successful cutter. riding her 3 yr old in the arena. went from a simple trot to a lope, horse tripped, went down, flipped over, the saddle horn coming down on sherry's head. i was working in icu when they brought her in seizing. she died 3 days later. a freak accident but they do happen. i'll never forget it. and no, i dont wear a helmet. i know i should. i tell this story hoping that it will make a difference and encourage 1 person to make that change.

Onehorse- Thank you for taking the time to explain the mechanics of the helmets. I grew up in an era of wearing helmets only for show. There was really no protection factor as there is today. Perhaps I will go shopping and get the protection I need. I have certainly had lots of mishaps with horses, but none so far that affect my brain. appylady

Thanks Onehorse! A more than thorough explanation! I plan to save it in my keeper files. I had just read of an up and coming dressage rider who was killed last week when the young hosre she was schooling spooked and she landed on the back of her head. There was so much brain swelling she succumbed to her injury. Maybe a helmet would have made the difference. So sad. Kathy

I agree with wearing riding hats/helmets. This last summer my daughter then 16 was riding and jumping a 16hh mare for someone. As she went over the second jump the mare bronced on landing sending my daughter flying over her head. As she landed in front of the mare the mares left front hoof landed on the top of my daughter legs and left hand. As the mare's hind legs went over it caught the back of her head knocking her out. My daughter sustain concussion, a broken bone in her hand and bruising to her legs. She came off lucky as she had her Germany made hat on that protected her head. As for her legs they were sore for a while but as she has something called HMS the bones were able to bend due to her condition. She still rides and loves horses. It is better to be safe than sorry.