Wearing a Helmet When Horse Riding

#horses #helmet #horseriding
I get asked about the topic of wearing a helmet when riding a horse quite a bit and as there are more and more children getting involved in horse riding, this seems like a good time to make my thoughts clear and perhaps influence the horse world, even just a tiny bit maybe, in a safer direction. I do plan on talking about this a bit more in detail in the near future, but here's the overview.
In this video I talk about different types of helmets, what I think works about them and what I think doesn't and why I advocate for helmet use, especially for children. While my opinion is just my own, I do exercise this opinion on our property and in general promote the idea of wearing a helmet when doing any activity where this is a risk in place.
I think the most important point of this whole discussion should be about what putting a helmet on means to the person putting it on. If it means you're now willing to do more or be more risky, then you put it on for entirely the wrong reason. If you put it on for that just in case situation but stay in the mindset that you don't have one on, then that's the right mindset in my opinion.
Never ever think a helmet will protect you from being hurt if you're doing something stupid and/or dangerous on a horse. Always be cautious and aware and careful and mindful of the animal you are riding. Helmets CAN help but it doesn't mean they will.
Bottom line is that a helmet is not a substitute for good horsemanship. It should not influence your riding style or awareness one bit and should be considered just another piece of clothing you might wear that has the possibility of perhaps protecting you from certain things.
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[@elmoblatch9787]

Well done. Gorgeous outdoor arena, by the way. Western riders typically don't wear helmets, and I think it's a style thing more than anything else. After all, the gold medal winner in Olympic Dressage wears a helmet. You think she hasn't taught her horse "respect"? You think she can't control her horse? There are no bomb proof horses. They don't exist, and you never know what can happen. Bizarre things happen on horseback, but so many western riders just merrily wear their cowboy hats. Some people probably think that those who wear helmets are somehow less skilled. Well, I'll refer you back to the helmet-wearing olympic dressage gold medalist, who is inarguably one of the best horse "persons" on the planet, certainly in her chosen discipline. I agree with the presenter that you should act as if you are not wearing a helmet. You don't want to test the helmet's effectiveness...that's for sure. Overconfidence is bad. Confidence is good.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you very much for the compliments. It's true that in particular horse cultures there is a stigma about if you're weak or not for wearing a helmet. It's a shame to use shame tactics like that. Also, many lead clinicians don't wear a helmet, so the examples are rarely being set out there for the younger generation. I agree with you on all points above. Thank you for commenting and adding in your thoughts.

[@trishameloling2367]

Elmo Blatch Fallon Taylor barrel racer wears a helmet 👍

[@TheMyamax]

AMEN . The USDF now requires helmets in the show ring. No more top hats.. Protecting your head is more important!!

[@Jaa3557]

Great video man I started riding ranch Broncs in rodeos recently and I have decided that I want to wear a helmet when I ride. But I didn't want a hockey helmet like they use for Bulls because It would inhibit me too much so I started looking at equestrian helmets and came across this video. I ended up not buying a equestrian helmet but this video gave me something to look for in a helmet.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Snow boarding helmets aren't bad at all and some of them can look pretty cool. Get the back of your head protected for sure man. As far down the back you can, if you snap something back there you're screwed for life. Thanks for the compliments and comment. Much appreciated

[@TheMyamax]

My helmet is a 200 dollar ONEK.. I love it.. I spent more on my helmet then I did for my riding wear.. Your head is never to expensive to protect!!

[@StableHorseTraining]

I agree!

[@palelittlegoblin3153]

My new ONEK came today. I love the fit and the style so much. And correct you can’t live without your head. (Unless your a chicken)

[@StableHorseTraining]

Hahaha... We'll, not for long then

[@jeanclayton565]

Great video as always I love watching your horses play. Myself have never wore a helmet, I'm fairly new to the horse world, my horse did spook awhile back he jumped up and spined thank God I stayed on, but I don't get on just any horse cause if mine ever bucks with me that probably will be my last time on a horse, I'm to old to be falling off .

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you! Yeah, they're so much fun to watch, it always stops the chores for me and I just stand around and watch them all play together. Stay safe out there! Falling off sucks...

[@TheMyamax]

YES!! A helmet saved my head 20 years ago during a lesson. Horse spooked an threw me coming off a jump. He went left.. I went right. landed on my but.. back, and then the back of my head hit the groud.. I was wearing a helmet.. Man was I sore for 2 weeks in my upper back, but my head was fine.. Im even to go as far as saying A TORSO PROTECTOR VEST is a good piece of riding protection to wear!!

[@StableHorseTraining]

Good point, a vest is important. Thanks for sharing your story here. I really appreciate that

[@francescaglozier2734]

Hello, I took my autistic son to a Riding with the Disabled session for the first time yesterday. The helmet was the issue. He wouldn't put it on and no helmet means no going near a horse. A pity as he loves horses. So I decided to look for a video stating WHY he needs a helmet. This is the best video by far but it is too long to engage him, even though you include why not to use the bike helmets. Would you be able to do a shorter video and even demonstrating putting it on, and not getting on your horse until it is on securely? Just a thought. You have a lovely manner and are a good male role model. And having your horses in the background is fabulous.

[@StableHorseTraining]

I will do that tomorrow for you. If you have any further detailed instructions then please let me know. Is there a set time to come under?

[@francescaglozier2734]

That's very kind of you. I am waiting for visuals from the RDA which I could send you. The visuals may give you an idea of what's needed but I am happy to elaborate once I receive them. Maybe we could take it from there? (I don't know how to do that but I'll figure it out) Cheers

[@StableHorseTraining]

Ok, sounds good. Let me know then. I can be reached by email too at [e-mail]

[@ingridblohm-hyde805]

I totally agree, good horsemanship is the best line of defense, but a helmet can certainly save a brain in something completely unexpected. I also have a Tipperary helmet and found it to be better then the outrageously expensive helmets.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Yup, they're good helmets for sure.

[@palelittlegoblin3153]

The end part kind of reminded me of Shelby Dennis’s “Why Helmets Are Bad (Parody)” video. Y’all go watch it if you have not already, it was so funny.

[@TheMyamax]

USDF requires a approved riding helmet in the show ring.. no more Top Hats.. GOOD!!

[@StableHorseTraining]

I didn't know that, that's good

[@TheMyamax]

PS.. USDF is United States Dressage Fediration

[@StableHorseTraining]

Right

[@palelittlegoblin3153]

Ya gotta love the My Little Pony cup.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Everyone loves it!

[@palelittlegoblin3153]

Stable Horse Training LOL never stop using it. Also i loved the video. It was the first video I saw of you and I am going to watch more.

[@StableHorseTraining]

@@palelittlegoblin3153 That's awesome! Thank you. Welcome to the channel :)

[@palelittlegoblin3153]

Stable Horse Training Thanks

[@graceconnolly5765]

I 10000% agree with you. I cant stand people who dont wear helmets. Im not going to be like, "oh its your choice blabla bla" no. Wear a helmet. its not that hard. riding without one is SO selfish and dangerous. the only thing people think about when they dont wear a helmet is that its better for them. sure its more comfortable at times but if and when an accident occurs and you get seriously hurt its not just you that is impacted. your family and friends ( if you have them) will be worried sick and if you die then they have a tremendous amount of greif. And on top of that its not fair on your horse. they cant control when they get scared or when they make a mistake and when you fall and if you end up in the hospital then you end up having to pay for your medical bills and then you cant pay for your horse as well as you would have been able to before. and if you get seriously hurt or killed then the horse gets put down or shipped off to slaughter. wear a helmet its not that hard.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thanks Grace, you've got it right. I really appreciate your passion but please modify your comment to remove swearing. This is an all ages channel and it attracts a lot of families with young people watching and reading. It would mean a lot to me.

[@graceconnolly5765]

@@StableHorseTraining im sorry I didnt realize that I will change it right now. again I am so so so sorry.

[@StableHorseTraining]

@@graceconnolly5765 no worries 😊 thank you