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 Expert
Posts: 1898
   
| Last summer I had nuero and spinal surgery. Basically I am now missing a small portion of the my skull where my brain stem enters my spinal canal and the tops of my C1 and C2 vertebrae. I have been riding for a little over 8 months without a helmet but feel like I might be a little more confident if I had a helmet that covered the back of my skull and neck. I don't know if they even make such a thing? My husband built me a neck roll like a bareback rider would use but I feel like it is too restricting. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Edited by cyount2009 2015-06-08 4:50 PM
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
 
| I don't know of a helmet that comes very far down on your neck. My Troxel Sierra comes low enough that I can't wear a bun below it though. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1117
Location: MI | Sorry for the weird pic haha but it shows how well this covers the back of the head. I recently got this after getting bucked off at home- a Tipperary Sportage. Really like it!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1115
| My suggestion would be to find a local saddle shop that has a nice selection and try on several different styles. I've had Troxels, Ovations, and IRHs and each fit me a little different. Some styles I really liked and others I hated and wouldn't wear. If you are investing in a helmet make sure you like how it feels, fits, and looks on you. Some brands fit different head shapes so it helps to have several options to try on. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| I agree with going somewhere that has a wide selection to find what suits you. I've tried several, and personally like the Tipperary (however it is spelled) Sportage the best. It did seem to come down further in the back, stayed more stable on my head, was cooler, and didn't make me feel like a bobble-head. |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| a helmet will protect your skull i say get 1 like the jockey where i hear they no longer make the calument which is what i had
but the helmet the jockey wear is comfortable i use to wear mine 5 hras in am and 8 hrs at night you forget its on
but it will not protect you from a spinal cord injury |
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 Popped
Posts: 20421
Location: LuluLand~along I64 Indiana | a wise ole barrel racer gave me his take this weekend and i want to share it with BHW......
"when i decided i was going to start wearing a helmet every time i rode i really mulled over what helmet to buy. When it came down to it.... I decided that trying to start a new habit it would be real easy to say well not this time i will get it next if i had a $40 helmet sitting on a peg..... So i didnt buy the most expensive helmet i could find just to show of, i bought a $250 helmet because i wont walk away from it sitting in the trailer and say i will get it next time..... I paid that much im gonna wear that sucker""
There is alot of truth to that statement!
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  A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | luluwhit - 2015-06-09 8:51 AM
a wise ole barrel racer gave me his take this weekend and i want to share it with BHW......
"when i decided i was going to start wearing a helmet every time i rode i really mulled over what helmet to buy. When it came down to it.... I decided that trying to start a new habit it would be real easy to say well not this time i will get it next if i had a $40 helmet sitting on a peg..... So i didnt buy the most expensive helmet i could find just to show of, i bought a $250 helmet because i wont walk away from it sitting in the trailer and say i will get it next time..... I paid that much im gonna wear that sucker""
There is alot of truth to that statement!
Mine is a $65 Tipperary Sportage and I wear it every ride. It's a habit now. I wear a thin stretchy headband under it and it keeps the sweat from rolling down my face. I literally forget I have it on sometimes. They really are comfortable.
I have a purple one and decorated it with decals for my Mom. Black ribbons and 'Never Give Up' across the back.
I like the added protection of the lower back of the Tipperary. And it fits my head really well. Others hate the fit. You have to try several different brands and styles to know what you'll like. I tried a friends before I fell in love. |
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Addicted to Baseball
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright, TX | $40 or $800 they all must meet the same safety standards and most are manufactured in the same plants. You don't get more if you pay more...you get a marketing plan, sometimes a more stylish look, perhaps more vents, etc. As others have said, go try them on as they all fit differently depending on the shape of your head. Tipperary T2 has had a lot of positives on english riding boards for the $100-200 price range and Tipperary's do drop down further in the back than other brands. The helmet that works best is the one you are comfortable in and thus will wear. 
Edited by Tilt The Kilt 2015-06-09 8:28 AM
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 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I have a Charles Owen and it is just so dang hot! It's a very good helmet, fits well, but I absolutely burn up in it. Wish I would have gotten something with more vents, as I find myself not wanting to wear mine because I literally about have a heat stroke with it on in the heat of summer. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I have an Ovation that is comfortable, but I haven't rode in it just yet. TwistedK would be a great person to ask. She taught me the ropes of getting mine. |
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Expert
Posts: 1898
| Thanks everyone!
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | get one that fits the shape of your head! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| I'm not trying to take over the thread but I remember seeing cowboy hat covers for helmets that actually didn't look too bulky, do they still make those? I just started back into barrel racing "lessons" and have been thinking about a helmet as well and was just curious if they made those covers. If not, I'm still considering one. |
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 Crazy Chicken Chick
Posts: 36132
| What fits you best will depend on the shape of your head. I bought a Tipperary and didn't like it. It's brand new and sitting in my closet. I ended up with an Ovation and like it a lot. I barely know it's there when I wear it. I haven't worn it in the heat yet though, so can't say how cool it is, but it does have a ton of vents. |
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Veteran
Posts: 182
| My vote is Tipperary Sport. I've got both it and Troxel and absolutely hate the Troxel. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | No suggestion, just that I'm proud of you for joining the helmet club! |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | KDS - 2015-06-08 8:48 PM Sorry for the weird pic haha but it shows how well this covers the back of the head. I recently got this after getting bucked off at home- a Tipperary Sportage. Really like it!
This one looks really comfy and cool.. |
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 Leggs
Posts: 4680
Location: lexington KY | My sister and I both really like our Troxel Rebels. We both have a Charles Owen too, but they are super hot. These have much better ventilation.
Edited by polorunner 2015-06-09 3:28 PM
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Tipperary's are some of the lowest. Samshields too but they are wicked expensive. I suggest trying some on if you can. I rode with a helmet every single time for the first 12 years I rode, and have been through a few in that time! Also, if you're really worried about your neck, you could look into one of these bad boys. Literally every top level eventer wears them now. http://www.doversaddlery.com/point-two-pro-air-jacket/p/X1-40766/?i... |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
Location: The South | I don't have any place near me that sells helmets so I just ordered a few from State Line Tack and kept my favorite. I ended up with a Tipperary Sportage, it definitely comes down further on the neck than the others. I can't get over how cool it is! My hair wasn't sweaty at all after I rode the other day, and I sweat like a pig. I really like it, I'm new to the helmet club after a brain injury so I'm still getting used to wearing one.
I also kept a Troxel Intrepid because I couldn't decide on one-I still like it too but it doesn't breathe as well-it might be my winter helmet.
Congrats on deciding to protect your noggin, and I'm glad your surgery went well so you can continue to ride and enjoy your horses! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
Location: The South | blccwgl55 - 2015-06-09 9:58 AM I'm not trying to take over the thread but I remember seeing cowboy hat covers for helmets that actually didn't look too bulky, do they still make those? I just started back into barrel racing "lessons" and have been thinking about a helmet as well and was just curious if they made those covers. If not, I'm still considering one. I found a lady on Etsy that makes some that look amazing. I'll try to find the page again and post it. I was going to get one but my husband said "if you cover it up its kind of like you're ashamed of it". And he pointed out that it would block the vents and be hot so I changed my mind. BUT I was watching a webcast of a shoot and a lady looked like she had a straw cowboy hat brim around her helmet and it looked so cool. I've been meaning to send her a message on Facebook to ask her what it was. I wonder if she cut the middle out of a hat and stretched it over the helmet. It was genius, you still get the benefits of the vents, and the sun protection of a cowboy hat!
ETA: here's the Etsy page. These look so neat, I might have to change my mind again and get one. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RodeAppleHats?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav
Edited by LindsayJordan84 2015-06-09 5:38 PM
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Location: Stephenville, Texas | I don't like trying to keep a cowboy hat on and tried a helmet. I tried several on and loved the Ovation. It's light and comfortable. I love it. |
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Expert
Posts: 1304
| Thank you!! Those look so neat! I'll definitely have to look into those. I see what he's sayin! I'm not necessarily ashamed of it, I just love the look of a cowboy hat! Thank you for that link :) |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-06-09 4:32 PM Tipperary's are some of the lowest. Samshields too but they are wicked expensive. I suggest trying some on if you can. I rode with a helmet every single time for the first 12 years I rode, and have been through a few in that time! Also, if you're really worried about your neck, you could look into one of these bad boys. Literally every top level eventer wears them now. http://www.doversaddlery.com/point-two-pro-air-jacket/p/X1-40766/?i...
sorry nothing protect ur neck the back of skull yes but neck no |
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