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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
   
Location: Louisiana | So, with more and more people choosing to wear helmets, I have felt pressure to get one. But I'm undecided. I know there really aren't any cons to wearing one, but I just haven't sorted out my own opinion I guess. Hubby's stance is that rodeo is not a contact sport. You only need the helmet in freak incidences. To him, wearing the helmet is expecting something to happen. I know they also really won't help much in the case of a neck injury. Or am I wrong? As far as asphalt, as a rule I do not ride on asphalt or concrete. I do know a a gal that had a brain injury when she hit concrete. I avoid that altogether by getting off and leading my horse. This post/poll is aimed at adults mainly. So for the poll, when did you decide to wear a helmet??And what are your feelings on the matter in general?And, go!!Multiple votes are allowed, and feel free to add options. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I decided to start wearing a helmet when I heard about the Olympian, Courtney King-Dye's riding accident that has left her unable to ever ride at her former level. In fact, she doesn't ride anymore, although she does coach still. It happened in an arena. Then I remembered what happened to Deb Mohan and another well known futurity trainer who suffered catastrophic head injuries. I don't care what other people say, if I feel safer wearing my helmet, then I feel I ride with more confidence and that is what matters to me. My husband was a brush cowboy and he actually feels better if I am wearing it. But I believe people should do what makes them feel confident in the saddle. For some it is wearing a helmet and for others it is not wearing a helmet , either way do what is comfortable for you.  |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | Others opinions of me don't bother me, so it wouldn't be that. Bc I know girls that rodeo with helmets sometimes get a sideways look. I could care less about that!
I just don't know. I think I may get one and start using it when I ride alone. I had an accident a few weeks ago that could've ended badly. I wasn't actually on the horse, but it makes you think.
I know I said my husband's opinion-he also wouldn't argue with me if I said I want to wear one. He might think it unnecessary, but he wouldn't argue.
I was just hoping to get a little insight. Thank you!! :) |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | Been wearing one for several years now and will continue to do so. Not because everyone else is, it is because I choose to protect my brain |
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | One has to only go back through all the posts about how to 'keep a cowboy hat on through a run'.... to understand, not enough people wear helmets.... |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| dashnlotti - 2015-08-13 7:43 PM
Others opinions of me don't bother me, so it wouldn't be that. Bc I know girls that rodeo with helmets sometimes get a sideways look. I could care less about that!
I just don't know. I think I may get one and start using it when I ride alone. I had an accident a few weeks ago that could've ended badly. I wasn't actually on the horse, but it makes you think.
I know I said my husband's opinion-he also wouldn't argue with me if I said I want to wear one. He might think it unnecessary, but he wouldn't argue.
I was just hoping to get a little insight. Thank you!! :)
I understand, believe me. I must admit I started out wearing it when I knew I would be by myself. But I was actually surprised that after a few minutes I forgot I had it on. But when I put it on with people around I sometimes am a little self- conscious. |
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 Ms. Poutability
Posts: 2362
Location: In my own world | I wear a helmet for 3 reasons:
my daughter Olivia
my son Thomas
i hate trying to keep a hat on
if you could predict the freak accidents helmets wouldn't be needed. I make my kids wear one. I practice what I preach. I want to be around to see them grow up also |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Ok - so this is OT, but I promise you will laugh.
Check out the 'I'd rather go naked than ride without a helmet'.... pictures are tastefully done. It's G-PG rated.
http://www.horsecollaborative.com/will-you-take-thenakedchallenge/
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | I started wearing one about two years ago when I started training my OTTB. I've always been a confident rider and never wore one all the years I ran my Paint mare. But I must say, after putting on a helmet, I found myself with more confidence than before. Horses are large, powerful animals with minds of their own. And sometimes all it could take is a stumble to change your life forever. I am so happy to see more and more people in barrel racing wearing helmets. Even Jackie Jatzlau is now wearing a helmet when running.
And like you said, sometimes accidents happen when you're not even on the horse. But having a helmet on can still be beneficial. My instance was in our indoor arena where I had tied and tacked up hundreds of times before without an issue. But one morning, I went out to ride early before it got hot. Nobody else was awake yet and I was alone. I tied my mares like I always do and tacked up. I noticed my Paint mare (my steady Eddie bombproof mare) was more on edge that day than normal but I brushed it off. I rode my OTTB mare and when I finished cooling her out, I brought her back over and tied her back up. I turned around to start to take the halter off my Paint when, for no reason I can yet figure out as in the 11 years I have owned her she has never done this, she set back hard. Her halter didn't break so she yanked back harder, ripping the railing off the side of the indoor which proceeded to crack me right in the back of the head. I saw stars and was actually dizzy for a moment. Everything happened so fast, I had no time to react or try to stop her. Once I got her settled (and my bearings back), I took off my helmet and the back of it was cracked. Had I not had my helmet on, it would have been my skull cracked. I would have probably been knocked out and I was out there alone. I seriously stopped and thanked the good Lord above, in that very moment, that I had been smart enough to start wearing a helmet. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 250
Location: Central TX | I must say I don't write on here much but this post caught my attention because I recently (just today) started to wear a helmet. It's been on back order and just received it Wednesday. I have ridden my entire life, I rode before I walked. And I never wore a helmet... but I have become leary in my riding. I can't explain why, thankfully I've never had a bad fall that affected my head. But I put my helmet on today, in the blazing heat of central TX and let me tell you... I felt more confident on my horse (she doesn't give me a reason to wear a helmet, I chose to) than I have in a while. And the helmet was not bad at all in the heat and sweat. Actually felt cooler than a hat... I will wear it proudly and not feel ashamed to want to wear one. I love my Troxel helmet!
Edited to add that at the local barrel race series in my town, out of the 35 ladies that run every Monday night, I will be the only one sporting a helmet. And I'm totally fine with that :)
Edited by KDHoof88 2015-08-13 11:28 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I'm glad that I was raised wearing a helmet all the time. When I got into my upper teens, I stopped wearing it when I just was legging horses up, but still raced in one no matter what. I do NOT have a good track record of horse falls so far. If I'm going to be working a horse hard, I wear a helmet.
The incident that caused me to think like that was not a pretty one. 3 or 4 years ago, I was working a cute little hunter/jumper pony, and she was riding pretty good on the flat. Well, I decided I was going to jump her over some cross rails just to see how she acted towards them since she'd had more basic training, so I got off and put a helmet on (because I had been bucked off this pony the last time I had attempted to jump her 6 months prior, so safety first). Well, I asked her to canter and as we were rounding the turn to present to the jump, she tripped and flipped over on top of me. I broke my nose, 4 ribs, and got a concussion. The helmet you ask? It was in 20 pieces on the ground. So ya...that was kind of a rude awakening, and now I wear a helmet. Because my head would probably not have been very pretty if I hadn't worn one that day. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 275
| I started wearing a helmet after Cyndi's accident. Prior to that, I had ridden over 20 years without one. I always made my daughter wear a helmet (and now my son) and just a few days before Cyndi she asked why I didn't have to wear one. I really couldn't think of a good reason why I didn't.
I wear it every time I ride now, even when there are no kids around. Often times, I am the only one wearing one on adult rides and I figure if that's all they have to tease me about, so be it. I also do cow sorting and I am definitely the only one wearing a helmet there, but I have a buckle to prove it's not because of my riding abilities! :) I have something valuable to protect. I wear a Tipperary and think it is very comfortable.
I certainly don't judge those who choose not to wear helmets, that was me not too long ago. I just made a choice that is now a habit. I don't think it will save me in all instances, but if it helps just once it is worth it! |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I am going to start wearing one. Troxel has a new style coming out in September that I'm going to get. It took me awhile to get to this stage and you just learn that life is pretty dang short. No particular reason really.
Edited by Murphy 2015-08-14 7:32 AM
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I bought a helmet two years ago and wore it last year every time I rode until it got so hot I nearly had a heat stroke in it, and then I sadly quit and haven't gotten back in the habit. :( I spluged and bought a Charles Owen skull cap and while I know it's the best protection available, that thing is HOT!!! I wish I would have bought something that was more vented like the Tipperary or the Troxel and have contemplated buying another one, but feel like I should wear what I have instead. Decisions, decisions.... |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | Thank you ALL for your insight, opinions, and stories!
I will admire I have questioned myself on the helmet thing for several months now. I tried one on at work last night, and even took a few selfies LOL.
I feel a push to wear one, from myself!! But I can't pinpoint what's holding me back. I'm going to bring it up tonight when hubby gets home.
Thank y'all again!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | When I was riding barrels and running drill I wore my snazzy cowboy hats. And I looked fabulous! 
Then when my barrel horse was retired I started hanging out with the stretchy pants folks. I started riding distance and in THAT discipline most wear helmets. My new horse was a bit "exciting" at times and I decided that a helmet wasn't a bad idea. I've been wearing it ever since. You get so comfortable wearing it...I sometimes have the horse un-tacked and put up before I think to take it off. But a vented lightweight helmet that fits the shape of your head is key!
The comment that Barrel Racing isn't a contact sport made me think. It sure feels like a contact sport when your shin hits that barrel...and we have all seen bad wrecks. If there was some sort of warning before a "Freak Accident"...you would have time to go get that helmet on. But sadly...that's not how life works. |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Most people wear boots and jeans.. its not any hotter then that.. once you get used to it..
we wear jumping , we wear working youngsters , we didnt wear them working dressage horses.. 2 years ago we all started and now its mandatory and also at shows.. its like putting on our gloves.. its automatic.
we feel naked without it now .. accidents happen.. thrown into a wall head first, flipped over on and landed on head.. anything. you barrel racers can get jetrocketed into a panel.. anything can happen and with 2 head injuries myself and Another could be fatal or about so I suggest you all reevaluate your thinking and decide is it worth my family having to take care of me if something happens? I know we all have our ways and our decision.. but just think about it.
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-08-14 8:53 AM
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 Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | I just started wearing one - literally last week. My goddaughter came to stay with me and ride for a week not that long ago and she asked me one day why I didn't wear a helmet. The only response I had was cause I'm vain and have a big head and don't want to make it any bigger. Not a good enough reason. A bunch of the youth kids wear them without blinking an eye but what difference does it make if you're grown? How old do you have to be before you don't need that protection? I tried to come up with a bunch of excuses for why I didn't need one and finally just got sick to death of listening to my inner monologue. I was driving home from work and made a u-turn to go to the store and try a bunch on.
I bought a Devon Aire from the local English tack shop and ordered a Tipperary Sportage. Both really comfortable and cool on my head. I think I like the Tipperary a smidge better just for pure vanity - it looks FAST. |
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Helmet Opinions!