Being a horse girl or guy pretty much guarantees you’ll end up eating some dirt at some point. If you haven’t had the joy of hitting the ground yet, count yourself lucky. Even the most easygoing horses can spook or pull a surprise move, and suddenly you’re airborne. Whatever you land on first takes the impact of your fall. Hopefully, that thing isn’t your head.

Working with horses is fun, but it’s not without risks. That’s why it’s so important to gear up and protect yourself. Wearing a helmet when you ride is an absolute must. According to the University of Connecticut, around 70,000 people end up in the emergency room each year because of horse-related activities. And sadly, 60% of horse-related deaths are caused by head injuries. So, safety first, always!

How to Choose a Helmet for Riding Horses

Not all riding helmets are created equal. The first thing you need to look for are American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and/or Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) certifications. This means that the helmet passed safety and quality tests. If the helmet doesn’t offer ASTM/SEI certifications, it’s just for looks and won’t protect your head much.

The next thing to think about is how well the helmet fits. It’s a good idea to head over to the tack store to get properly fitted. Heads come in all shapes and sizes, and so do helmets, so finding the right fit is important.

If you don’t have a tack store nearby or prefer to shop online, you can measure the circumference of your head using a measuring tape. No tape? No problem. You can use a piece of string instead, wrap it around your head about an inch above your eyebrows, and then measure the string with a ruler or yardstick.

Once you’ve got your measurements, it’s time to try on some riding helmets. See which one feels the most comfortable. It should fit snugly — not too loose that it moves around, but also not so tight that it leaves a mark on your head. Make sure to secure the chinstrap snugly under your chin, and check for any pressure points.

It’s all about finding the perfect fit to keep you safe and comfortable while you’re riding.

What Riding Helmets Should I Avoid?

If you are heading to your first horseback riding lesson, you might consider using your bicycle helmet. Sure, bike helmets are great for those low-to-the-ground spills, but they’re not quite beefy enough to handle a tumble from a horse. Most trainers will have extra riding helmets for first-timers so be sure to ask before you go.

It might also be tempting to pick up a used helmet at a garage sale or borrow one from a friend who has outgrown theirs. But here’s the deal: if a helmet has ever suffered an impact, its safety has been compromised and it’s best to toss it out. The layer that gives you the most protection is deep inside the helmet and you can’t see it from the outside. This layer is called Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), which is like microscopic bubble wrap. If you suffer a fall, the bubbles pop, absorbing the impact of the fall. So, even if you don’t see a crack on your helmet, you should purchase a new helmet before riding again. Riding helmets also have an expiration date of five years from the date of purchase. After five years, the materials can become brittle and worn, rendering the helmet less effective. Using an old one means rolling the dice on its safety if it’s past its prime.

I’m Riding Western, I Need to Wear a Cowboy Hat

In English disciplines, wearing a helmet is part of the uniform, but when you step into the western show ring, it’s all about the classic cowboy hat vibe. However, the trend is shifting a bit in the States. 4-H programs and saddle clubs are hopping on the helmet train, making them a must-have for riders. Even some of the professional competitions have seen the importance of helmets. Bronc riders, barrel racers, and reiners can all choose between a hat or a helmet.

One helmet manufacturer identified the need for a stylish cowboy hat that also protects a rider’s head. They created a cowboy hat that doubles as a helmet, called the Resistol RideSafe Western Cowboy Hat Helmet. It’s fashionable, protective, and sure, it’s a bit pricier at $179.99, but it’s hard to spot the difference between it and a regular cowboy hat.

Now, if you’re not into the whole hat-helmet hybrid thing, fear not. There are crafty sellers on Etsy who can jazz up your standard helmet with custom brims. So, you can still rock that western look with a personalized touch.

Your noggin is kind of a big deal—it’s the command center for your whole life! So, you’ve got to treat it right. That means safeguarding it whenever you saddle up. So, don’t skimp on safety. Protect what matters most—your brain and your life. Pop on that riding helmet and go get on your high horse.

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The post How to Choose the Perfect Riding Helmet appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

What’s Hot in Riding Helmets

Newer trends include rose gold or chrome trim, wider sun brims, fresh colors like chocolate brown, dusky gray and royal blue, and glossy finishes.

New riding helmets comfort features that are also elegant include faux leather harnesses for a sophisticated look that provides soft padding around the face. Many brands offer ventilation without compromising safety; these strategically-placed vents channel air flow beneath the helmet while also creating visually appealing lines. Look for anti-microbial, moisture-wicking, and Coolmax liners to help keep things fresh.

For western riders, Resistol riding helmets have a cowboy hat look, while Troxel has created a traditional helmet styled with western designs.

Certification Standards

Be sure when shopping for a new helmet to look for one designed for equestrian use and not for other sports. Riding helmets are tested to withstand perils specific to equestrian activities, such as impacts from kicks and crushes, falls from horse height, and falls onto objects.

Guidelines for equestrian helmets published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend certification by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), Snell Standards (Snell Foundation), and/or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Helmets certified by the Snell Foundation have undergone the most rigorous level of testing.

MIPS Technology

More recently, you may have noticed riding helmets featuring a prominent yellow tag emblazoned with “Multi-Directional Impact Protection System” (MIPS). MIPS is an additional safety component integrated into the helmet; this layer redirects rotational force when there is side impact to the head. This technology originated with the cycling helmet industry.

Equestrian brands with current MIPS helmet technology include Armis, Back on Track, Champion, Charles Owen, Hööks, One K, Tipperary Equestrian and Trauma Void.

“The addition of MIPS to equestrian helmets has become more top of mind for riders in recent years,” says Kara Williams, merchandising buyer at Massachusetts-based SmartPak.
How exactly does MIPS work?

“In short, MIPS is a thin inner liner inside the helmet that allows the helmet to shift up to 5 millimeters in the event of a fall, thus enabling the helmet to move slightly to absorb more of the impact when you make contact with the ground,” explains Michelle Drum, e-commerce, social media, and marketing manager for Farm House Tack in Landrum, S.C.

Size Your Riding Helmet Right

Ready to get started finding your optimal riding helmet?

“The best advice I can offer to riders shopping for a riding helmet is to take the time to go to a tack shop and get fitted by a trusted professional,” says Drum. “If you don’t have access to a tack shop you trust to fit you for a helmet, find a shop that is up to date with the technology that can do a real-time head measure via Facetime or Zoom. Shopping for a new helmet can be time consuming, but consider we are talking about your head here. You only get one, so this is an important investment. Take into consideration the safety levels offered by all of the helmet manufacturers and choose the one that offers the most protection and comfort for your budget.”

To select the right size, measure the widest part of your head (about a finger’s width above your ears and eyebrows) with a soft tape measure, keeping it level around the circumference of your head. Some helmet brands are sized in centimeters and others are in inches, so take note of both measurements.

Next, consult the corresponding size chart for the brands you’re interested in. Some use universal sizing (S, M, L), while others go by traditional hat sizes (7, 7 ¼, 7 ½, et cetera).

A dial feature on many helmets allows small adjustments to customize the fit, and new on the scene is One K’s adjustable air bladder within the helmet liner, which can be inflated and deflated for discreet changes in fit.

Riding Helmet Fit

A knowledgeable sales representative can advise you in finding the best brand for your needs, as well as finding the optimal fit. Try on different lines and styles. Williams notes that different brands vary slightly in their sizing and shape, so it’s not uncommon to be different sizes in different helmet brands.

Your helmet should sit just above your eyebrows. When trying on, gently shake your head: the helmet should stay snug and not slide; it should move up and down with your skin if you lift your eyebrows, but not slip if you tip your head forward and backwards.

If the helmet is too small, it won’t fit down flush on your head and may leave you with a headache. If it’s too large, it will slide around, compromising safety.

Keep in mind that the materials around your head may loosen a bit with wear in some brands, so if you are between sizes, consider going down to the smaller size so your helmet isn’t too loose later.

You know you’ve got the right fit if it’s snug but comfortable. If it’s too tight against the front and back of your head, you may need an oval shape. If it’s too tight against the sides of your head, then you may need a round shape.

Adjust the chin strap so that one finger fits between the strap and your chin. The straps on the sides should sit just below your ear lobes.

Try on the helmet with the hairstyle you wear to ride; for riders with long hair, this means either secured in a ponytail, braid, or bun at the nape of the neck. If you wear your hair tucked up under your helmet in a hair net, try on all helmets this way.

If you sometimes wear long hair outside of your helmet, like in a ponytail, and other times tucked into your helmet, you may consider buying two different helmets. Another option is a helmet with an adjustable dial or air-fit to accommodate the slightly different sizes. Alternatively, there are brands that offer a thicker liner and thinner liner so you can wear your hair both ways, and also wash one while using the other.

Taking Care of your Riding Helmet

To clean your riding helmet, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. Linings can be removed and washed in some cases; otherwise, they may be treated with a deodorizing spray. Extreme temperatures may weaken your helmet’s materials, so don’t store it in your car or direct sunlight.

All helmets should be replaced at least every five years or after any fall or drop. Even if you see no damage after an accident, the interior structure may be compromised from absorbing the blow. Many manufacturers offer a discount on replacement helmets after an accident within the warranty period, so be sure to save the documents related to your helmet purchase.

A Helmet for Any Rider

Drum shares a new feature she finds especially appealing.

“My favorite of the newest trends now has to be the extended brim to shield the sun from your face,” she says. “These helmets are a great option for helping to protect your skin from the sun, as well as offer protection from glare in bright climates.”

Brighter colors are hot in the jumper ring right now, while hunters can find classically styled helmets that offer the latest technology and cooling air vents.

In the rodeo sector, world champion barrel racer Fallon Taylor has made a splash with helmets featuring colorful patterns that match her tack and outfits. In an effort to entice even more riders to make helmets part of their regular routine, many retailers nationwide offer promotions on International Helmet Awareness Day.

With correct fit and a little care, today’s helmets offer unprecedented levels of protection while looking snazzy at the same time.

The post A Riding Helmet for Every Equestrian appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Jen Robertson has been riding horses all her life. A well-versed equestrienne from riding Arabians and Quarter Horses to now competing and training in hunter/jumpers, she can barely recall a day without riding. She and her husband, Brody Robertson, manage their farm, Altamonte Show Stable, in Ocala, Fla. Brody is an accomplished third generation Grand Prix rider and jump designer in his own respect.

For the Robertsons, wearing a helmet is as natural as slipping on breeches and a pair of boots. It’s something that just happens, and they’ve passed that along to their two sons, Saer and Flynn.

Jen credits helmets to saving her life on more than one occasion. Most recently, she was showing a young jumper as his first rated show at Lamplight in Elgin, Ill. “He had jumped great all week,” she recalls. “We were going into his last class of the show.”

The young horse had bulged out toward the out gate as he came around a corner. Jen tried to straighten the horse up as they approached the next jump. “I don’t think he was able to read it correctly,” she explains. “The white jump rail blended into the white fencing behind it, so he misjudged the top pole.”

Jen remembers taking off for the jump, then hitting the dirt head first. “I remember seeing my horse’s ears upside down in the sand with me,” she says.

Jen says that because of the centrifugal force and landing head first, she can’t imagine where she would be if she hadn’t worn her helmet. “I walked away from what could have been a devastating accident,” she says.

“I made the decision to wear a helmet every ride after I became a mother, because I want my children to see me wear one and it be normal to them,” Jen says. “It’s simple: You ride, you wear a helmet. The boys are horrified when they see cowboys or riders without helmets, and really it seems insane to me as well not to have one on.”

Her story is not unlike any other riders all across the country. It’s because of that that Riders4Helmets is proud to offer International Helmet Awareness Day (IHAD) once again, taking place September 12-13, 2020. The goal of IHAD is to educate equestrians on the benefits of wearing a properly fitted and secured, certified helmet. Many helmet manufacturers and tack stores from across the globe are participating with deals on new helmets and increased education on fitting and buying helmets.

For Jen and her family, the IHAD campaign is a good time to remind their fellow equestrians to check their helmet ages and look into purchasing a new helmet to finish out the show season, no matter your riding level.

“Most upper level riders have as many freak accidents at the walk as they do in competition,” she points out. “With the immense research done on TBIs leading to dementia, severe depression and Alzheimer’s, there really is no reason to ever take the chance by riding without a helmet. As much as we love them, horses are extremely unpredictable!”

For more information on International Helmet Awareness Day or Riders4Helmets, see www.riders4helmets.com, and follow them on social media.

Further Reading on Importance of Riding Helmets

• U.S. Equestrian Announces Launch of USEF Helmet Research Safety Fund
• How to Correctly Fit an Equestrian Helmet
• Helmet Replacement Strategy
• Helmet Credited with Saving Young Equestrian’s Life

The post Importance of Wearing a Horse Riding Helmet So You Can Walk Away appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

U.S. Equestrian is pleased to announce the kick-off of the USEF Helmet Research Safety Fund, a fundraising effort to further the safety of equestrian athletes across all breeds and disciplines. The fund will support further research into U.S. helmet safety standards and the creation of an equestrian-specific rating system, providing riders insight into how helmet models compare when looking at safety and protection. U.S. Equestrian is partnering with the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, and 100% of funds raised will support the independent research to develop this important sport-specific rating system. In addition to the financial fundraising component of the program, USEF will be sharing important data on falls and injuries from USEF competitions, which will be utilized in the research and development of the Equestrian STAR rating project at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab.

Also Read: USEF Forms Safety Task Force

“All of us at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab are excited to partner with U.S. Equestrian on the helmet rating project,” said Barry Miller, Ph.D., Director of Outreach and Business Development for the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. “U.S. Equestrian’s involvement will increase awareness, promotion, fundraising, and cross-breed/discipline benefits, as well as the broad-based connections USEF can provide to other sports in the NGB [national governing body] family.”

“Currently, equestrian helmets must meet basic safety standards on a pass/fail system to receive the ASTM/SEI approval,” explained U.S. Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney. “This is a fantastic project for everyone to be involved with and we embrace the opportunity to work with all of our affiliates on a community-wide initiative to support this research and enjoy the shared benefits of the results.”

To date, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has developed STAR helmet ratings for sports including football, youth football, soccer, flag football, cycling, and hockey. Since 2011, Virginia Tech researchers have been providing unbiased helmet ratings that allow consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing helmets. The helmet ratings are the culmination of over 10 years of injury biomechanics research with special attention to concussions and which helmets best reduce concussion risk (www.vt.edu/helmet).

U.S. Equestrian is launching an awareness campaign educating the equestrian community on the importance of this research and inviting everyone to donate towards the Virginia Tech helmet fundraising goal of $450,000. Notably, the USEF affiliate United States Hunter Jumper Association has announced a donation of $100,000 to Virginia Tech’s helmet fund. Future virtual meetings will bring together U.S. Equestrian affiliates, partners, helmet manufacturers, and industry thought leaders to work together to advance this initiative.

Donations can be made at www.usef.org/donate/helmetresearch.

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