Why wear a riding helmet?

By: Nestor Imberti Posted: 16/10/2020

Reasons to wear a helmet when we ride a horse

The risk of accident in equestrian activities exists and we must reduce it. It is necessary to implement safety measures, such as wearing a riding helmet.

The use of helmets is very important to protect your head.

Don't underestimate them, because they can save you from an unexpected impact in an accident.

Many times you may have wondered: "Is horseback riding dangerous?" even if you know how to ride and you usually go riding in the countryside, or also if you like horses and would like to learn to ride.

The answer is YES.

It is dangerous, like many other activities. But statistics fade into the background when there is an accident, whether minor or serious, because those closest to the person involved in the accident will feel its direct effect.

That is why I insist that, to make horseback riding safer, as in many other activities, we must wear a helmet as a protective element that reduces serious consequences in a possible accident, the same as bikers, jockeys, racing drivers or construction workers do.

As with all things in life, there are different opinions about it. Although most riders do not deny that helmets help a lot to protect us from an eventual accident, many of them, especially the more experienced ones, usually do not wear one because they think that nothing will happen to them. However, we must remember that a horse is a living being that can get frightened easily by something unexpected. If riders do not keep calm and do not know how to control the horse, they may end up having an accident, but even if they don't panic, they can fall off all the same.

So: Are we going to give up the extraordinary experience of riding a horse, especially in the countryside where we can enjoy nature, because we can have an accident?

The answer is definitely NO.

We just need to wear a helmet to do it in a safer way. I will now give you a few reasons for that.

Even your own horse can put you in danger

I have met many riders who know perfectly well that riding is dangerous, but they think that when they are riding their own horse, there is no risk because they know their horse well.

The problem isn't just an accident caused by your horse reacting and bucking, and throwing you from the saddle. Horses can stumble and fall as well, or muddy terrain can cause them to slip, etc.

The helmet does not replace other safety measures that you must take when riding. But in the case of an accident, which does not depend on the behaviour of your horse, you can fall off, and the helmet will be there to protect your head, especially when you ride in the countryside, or in show jumping.

Helmets work when used for their intended purpose

Of course, the helmet cannot be used to cover your neck or back, as they are only designed to protect your head.

Nor is it an absolute guarantee that you will not suffer a head injury, but the injury will be much less serious if you put on a riding helmet.

Helmets are easy to use, affordable and for every taste

• It is very easy to put on a riding helmet.You may find it a little tricky at first to move with it, but you just have to place it on your head and adjust the strap easily. Remember that hitting the hard ground is worse for your head without a helmet.
• In addition, helmets come with special covers that keep them clean and avoid scratches, which is essential if you participate in a competition.
• Regarding prices, of course there are helmets of more than a thousand euros, but you can also get certified helmets at more affordable prices, and equally as safe. You can find very good special offers in many equestrian shops.
• And finally, there are affordable helmets of different shapes, colours and brands; a wide variety that will suit your most demanding personal tastes.
  So, there are no excuses for not wearing a helmet.

Time in a hospital, your investment and your horse

No one plans to spare a minute of their time in a hospital, as a result of a riding accident.

It can take up to seven months to recover from a concussion or broken bones. It's a time you'd surely like to spend riding. That's why you must wear a helmet to decrease the chance of having an accident and wasting so much time.

You've put time and effort into your riding knowledge and skills, and all your intelligence is in your head. If you think about it, you'll see why you have to protect it.

Finally at this point, if you have to stay in a hospital, who will look after your horse? Who will take care of him as well as you do, for as long as needed? Wearing a helmet is not only good for you, but also for your horse.

Reputation and experience with horses

Reputation is a sign of your work excellence in the past. If you are a riding instructor, the use of helmets is a proof of your professionalism, and that perception improves your reputation, attracts students and sponsors, and has many more perks.

No matter how much experience with horses a rider has, I can tell you that it is not enough to protect your head as a helmet would.

• Since beginner riders have little experience, they can be more cautious and spend less time with horses. In terms of risk exposure, this reduces the chance of having an accident.
• For professional riders, risk exposure is higher, because they spend more time with horses. Even though they have enough knowledge and skills to avoid accidents, the likelihood that they’d get injured is very high.
• Some very experienced riders, even if they are not professionals and may have less contact with horses, can be too confident about horses and suffer an accident all the same.

Wearing a helmet is like having accident insurance, even if you are a very experienced or professional rider.

Responsibility and leadership

If your horses are ridden by other people, whether trainers, caregivers, blacksmiths, carriers, etc., you are responsible for what may happen to them while riding or handling your horses.

Avoid legal action, because regulations require the use of helmets when dealing with your horses.

When you care about safety with horses, and support and encourage others to do the same, you become a leader. This is very positive for equestrian sports and horseback riding as a hobby.

Your behaviour can affect the horse industry and society

If you have a horse or more, you buy feed, saddles, safety equipment, etc. So, you are already part of the horse industry, in which many people work.

You can make the decisions you want regarding the use of safety measures when riding, such as wearing a helmet, but if you make wrong decisions, other people will be affected.

Horse-related accidents are recorded by hospitals, and this information is used for predicting the risks involved in horseback riding.

This information is also used by insurance companies to set their risk premiums for you and for horse riding clubs, equestrian tourism providers, etc. If the risk increases, the costs of all insurance will increase, too.

What’s more, people who like horses and want to learn to ride them watch these risk statistics closely before taking up horseback riding.

If the risk is high, it will discourage many people from riding, causing a decline in the horse industry. This can be avoided by taking appropriate safety measures for riding, such as wearing a helmet.

As you can see, the responsibility is also yours, because the horse industry works if the number of participants goes up.

Your behaviour regarding horse riding safety can affect society as a whole, as all medical costs derived from a treatment can be avoided by using the helmet.

With an avoidable injury, you're diverting the funds to pay for the medical treatment that other people may need.

For this reason, you are accountable to society, if you increase the likelihood of suffering injuries to your head by not wearing a riding helmet.

Times change

Of course, in the past no helmets were used in horseback riding. They became necessary as times changed: in extreme sports, such as motor racing, or in factories, construction, or mining.

As always, people resisted change and found excuses for not wearing them, but rationality has prevailed. Accept enhanced standards and adapt to them for your own safety.

Conclusion

In light of all this, I conclude that wearing a helmet not only protects your head during a fall, but it is also the answer to a reality that shows that anyone can have an accident – experienced or professional riders, novices, quiet horses or even the perfect man-horse match.

I hope that these risk considerations about horseback riding will not discourage you,
but help you take the security measures that this activity requires. In this case, wearing a riding helmet.

Are you also passionate about the idea of travelling the world on horseback?

Argentina is a country with a long-standing tradition of horses. Exploring the country on horseback is something unique – a highly recommended experience. In our eBook "Discover Argentina, the Land of the Gaucho, on Horseback" you will find our options to enjoy Argentina on horseback.

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