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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
 
| rodeomom3 - 2016-03-01 2:56 PM cheryl makofka - 2016-03-01 12:04 PM Her is a challenge for all you who wear helmets. Change your profile picture to one where you are wearing a helmet. The majority of the profile pictures from the people who say they wear helmets have pictures of riding/barrel racing without a helmet. So if you are proud to wear it, why not promote helmet safety by changing your profile. I don't have a pic of me in mine or I would. I have worn it for every race of inner since I purchased it . Why the challenge though?? If you wear one fine if you don't fine, let people make personal choices and don't challenge them. There is nothing to feel defensive about on either side of the helmet discussion.
I tend to agree. I think just having such a spirited (and positive) discussion about helmets and the OPs original poll speak volumes about how attitudes in general are changing about helmets. I'm a hat wearer, but Fallon and recent accidents have me seriously considering it. That is something! Cheers to everyone either wearing one, or NOT judging those who do.  |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1117
Location: MI | I dont think anyone's posted this yet - a nice article about Jake Barnes and his accident, now wearing a helmet. Good read https://ehorsetrainer.com/articles/rfd-tv-the-american-team-roping-why-7-x-world-champion-header-jake-barnes-helmet-is-more-cowboy-than
Edited by KDS 2016-03-01 3:26 PM
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| star1218 - 2016-03-01 3:08 PM
rodeomom3 - 2016-03-01 2:56 PM cheryl makofka - 2016-03-01 12:04 PM Her is a challenge for all you who wear helmets. Change your profile picture to one where you are wearing a helmet. The majority of the profile pictures from the people who say they wear helmets have pictures of riding/barrel racing without a helmet. So if you are proud to wear it, why not promote helmet safety by changing your profile.  I don't have a pic of me in mine or I would. I have worn it for every race of inner since I purchased it .  Why the challenge though?? If you wear one fine if you don't fine, let people make personal choices and don't  challenge them.  There is nothing to feel defensive about on either side of the helmet discussion.
I agree, there should not even be "sides" when discussing helmets, let's just support each other and our individual choice. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | For those that wear helmets to run/ride in do you wear it anytime you are around a horse or just put it on when you get on? ?I am curious as serious injuries can happen from being on the ground and not just coming off a horse. I am not a helmet wearer, I am not riding right now due to a knee injury not related to a horse. It is something I would possibly think about though as I ride alone a lot of the time. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 852
| TrailGirl - 2016-02-29 12:11 PM I wear mine every ride now. It becomes habit. People tend to make one of two assumptions in the arena... 1: She must be a newbie rider or 2: Must be a green horse On trail it's different...They either assume... 1: She must be a Newbie rider or 2: She must like to go FAST Eventually if enough of us wear our helmets in the arena...#2 will start to trend toward's the same assumptions as the trail folks. We go so darn fast we need that helmet! Honestly...I used to run without one as I was insecure and wanted to fit in. Thankfully I have been granted the wisdom of age to where I no longer care what anyone else thinks...I will protect my noggin. Anyone anti helmet just needs to ask themselves...Do I choose not to wear it because I don't think it is a good idea for safety? Or do I choose not to wear it because I don't like how it looks? Watching the American yesterday I looked at the bull riders. Some wear a helmet with a face shield. Some wear a cowboy hat. I saw two injuries that would have been lessened/prevented if a helmet/face protector had been worn. Both happened to be on the older Brazilian riders. I was glad to see the younger Brazilian wears head gear. Maybe even there the culture is changing.
Sure, some injuries can be prevented, but I have personally witnessed bull riding injuries that were significantly worse BECAUSE of the helmet and facemask. My husband is a bull rider, and a very good friend of ours got jerked down on a bull, met his head with his chin and was knocked out cold. Broke his jaw in 3 places and left him gathering his chickens for a day, and severe concussion where he could not do much for a month. He still does not remember much of the accident or the following events. The worst part....had he not been wearing a helmet, he would likely have cut his chin, big bruise and walked away. My husband stopped wearing a helmet because of the higher frequency of getting knocked out and jaw injuries compared to when he wore just his hat.
So, when people say a helmet can never hurt....yes it can. They are designed to take the impact and redistribute the force, but where that force gets redistributed can have just as detrimental consequences. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| rodeomom3 - 2016-03-01 2:56 PM
cheryl makofka - 2016-03-01 12:04 PM Her is a challenge for all you who wear helmets. Change your profile picture to one where you are wearing a helmet. The majority of the profile pictures from the people who say they wear helmets have pictures of riding/barrel racing without a helmet. So if you are proud to wear it, why not promote helmet safety by changing your profile.  I don't have a pic of me in mine or I would. I have worn it for every race entered since I purchased it .  Why the challenge though?? If you wear one fine if you don't fine, let people make personal choices and don't  challenge them.  There is nothing to feel defensive about on either side of the helmet discussion.
Why the challenge.
I find it very hypocritical that people wearing the helmets promoting the helmets have profile pictures of them self barrel racing in a cowboy hat, or in a ball cap, or with their hair flowing in the wind.
This either shows you don't wear the helmet as much as you say you do, or you are not proud to own a picture of you competing or riding in your helmet.
If you want more people to wear helmets, actions speak louder then words, by posting a picture it is showing you do what you preach.
And by no way is this directed at one individual |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| cheryl makofka - 2016-03-01 5:11 PM rodeomom3 - 2016-03-01 2:56 PM cheryl makofka - 2016-03-01 12:04 PM Her is a challenge for all you who wear helmets. Change your profile picture to one where you are wearing a helmet. The majority of the profile pictures from the people who say they wear helmets have pictures of riding/barrel racing without a helmet. So if you are proud to wear it, why not promote helmet safety by changing your profile. I don't have a pic of me in mine or I would. I have worn it for every race entered since I purchased it . Why the challenge though?? If you wear one fine if you don't fine, let people make personal choices and don't challenge them. There is nothing to feel defensive about on either side of the helmet discussion. Why the challenge. I find it very hypocritical that people wearing the helmets promoting the helmets have profile pictures of them self barrel racing in a cowboy hat, or in a ball cap, or with their hair flowing in the wind. This either shows you don't wear the helmet as much as you say you do, or you are not proud to own a picture of you competing or riding in your helmet. If you want more people to wear helmets, actions speak louder then words, by posting a picture it is showing you do what you preach. And by no way is this directed at one individual
Edited by rodeomom3 2016-03-02 6:21 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 320
Location: Dubuque,IA | I'm 62 years old and have worn one for ten years. When i first started wearing it I was the ony one and often got funny looks. Now i am refereed to a the "older lady , on the fast horse, wearing a helmet!!!I think all parents of children should start kids wearing helmets so in a fgew years it will be nore normal. When I was a child we never had child seats or seat belts and i think of my helmet just like a seat belt, perhaps one more thing for my safety. I would never drive a vehicle without my seatbelt and NEVER ride a horse without my helmet.I wonder how many parents let their children ride horses without a helmet . BUT use a helmet when riding a bike or use a seatbelt in a car!!!!. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 582
Location: Wherever They Send Me | I recently (June 2015) started wearing one when I moved to a new barn; I used to just wear it when I rode my younger horse. My new barn owner says, "Anyone under the age of 18 must wear one and anyone over the age of 18 you can make your own choices, but I would prefer it if you did." It is her barn, Im just a boarder - So I wear mine all the time now. It has gotten to the point, where it feels weird when I dont wear it. |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas |
That western styled helmet is butt ugly. I was glad to see him wear just a helmet at the American. I would think that other one could get in the way of his rope. I would like to know what kind of helmet it was as it looked more like what a wrestler would wear. |
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 Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | Â I won't be changing my profile picture because I made the decision today to start wearing a helmet for those 2 little cowboys you see in my pic ! !
Edited by slacy09 2016-03-01 9:09 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
| I wear a helmet after fracturing my skull riding. Not only because of what I went through, but because of what I put my family through. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | cn1705 - 2016-03-01 10:04 PM I wear a helmet after fracturing my skull riding. Not only because of what I went through, but because of what I put my family through.
Until, some people go thru this first hand they just don't understand.
It took my friend (Chandra) the full month of February to pass because she was in such excellent health. Her mom asked me to take on riding in a helmet. My first run at Fort Worth (2008) was the last in a cowboy hat and the final run was in a helmet. I have those pictures on my desk as they have a unique from the roof angle. But I think of it as my three angels looking down on me keeping me a bit safer in a helmet as I run three turns as fast as I can.
Look up Coup and Contre Coup injuries. Bull riders are notorious for these injuries. I would much rather be working on a bull rider that wore a helmet as I know his odds are much better in the morbidity/mortality department.
I can see the day that insurance will impact those of us that choose to play in high risk sports. As a professional fire fighter I would never go into a fire without my helmet on. As a jockey years ago I always rode in one. I can't believe it took me losing three friends due to severe head injury from riding accidents before I began to run in a helmet-I knew better!
No family should watch the devastating after effects of a head injury on their loved one.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1078
Location: Salem Ky | I wear one. I am seeing more and more wear them. Glad to see that! |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I am thinking about it. My problem is there isn't anywhere around here (Wichita, Ks) to try them on and I have a PEA-SIZED head (hat size 6 5/8). So I am guessing I will have to wear a child's helmet but I will not buy one without trying several on. I am thinking surely someplace around Tulsa or OKC sells them so that will give me a good excuse for a weekend trip! |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| rodeoveteran - 2016-02-29 6:13 PM
slacy09 - 2016-02-29 9:46 AM
Sure would be easier if it was just a requirement...then everyone is wearing them and no one feels silly.Â
No, no, no. Do NOT make ME wear one, it is MY choice.
Feeling silly for wearing one is just plain dumb. If I CHOSE to wear one I wouldn't care what others think ...period. You won't catch me being judgemental about someone wearing one, just don't make ME wear one!
Edited to add; To REALLY protect me I would need to wear one 24/7. I am just uncoordinated like that.
AMEN, it needs to be a personal choice! (And I plan to start wearing one as soon as I can find one that FITS and isn't HOT). |
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Member
Posts: 13
| Griz - 2016-03-02 5:21 AM
I am thinking about it. My problem is there isn't anywhere around here (Wichita, Ks) to try them on and I have a PEA-SIZED head (hat size 6 5/8). So I am guessing I will have to wear a child's helmet but I will not buy one without trying several on. I am thinking surely someplace around Tulsa or OKC sells them so that will give me a good excuse for a weekend trip!
Tractor Supply, Orsheln, Atwoods and many other location sell them in store and they can be tried on. If you come up to Topeka for Barrel Bash R Bar B sells them, too.
Most western helmets have a system to adjust them to fit you and are a "general" size. I wear a 6 1/2 and do not wear a child's helmet. Some start at a S ("up to a 7") and others have an XS model for up to a 6 5/8 like this style:
http://www.troxelhelmets.com/products/sport?variant=2333277891
Here's some info on fit:
http://www.troxelhelmets.com/pages/helmet-fitting
I don't find my helmets to be hot at all. They are comfy and allow air to flow throughout the design.
Edited by Bobbie1207 2016-03-02 7:14 AM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | weder - 2016-03-01 4:43 PM
TrailGirl - 2016-02-29 12:11 PM I wear mine every ride now. It becomes habit. People tend to make one of two assumptions in the arena... 1: She must be a newbie rider or 2: Must be a green horse On trail it's different...They either assume... 1: She must be a Newbie rider or 2: She must like to go FAST Eventually if enough of us wear our helmets in the arena...#2 will start to trend toward's the same assumptions as the trail folks. We go so darn fast we need that helmet! Honestly...I used to run without one as I was insecure and wanted to fit in. Thankfully I have been granted the wisdom of age to where I no longer care what anyone else thinks...I will protect my noggin. Anyone anti helmet just needs to ask themselves...Do I choose not to wear it because I don't think it is a good idea for safety? Or do I choose not to wear it because I don't like how it looks? Watching the American yesterday I looked at the bull riders. Some wear a helmet with a face shield. Some wear a cowboy hat. I saw two injuries that would have been lessened/prevented if a helmet/face protector had been worn. Both happened to be on the older Brazilian riders. I was glad to see the younger Brazilian wears head gear. Maybe even there the culture is changing.
 Sure, some injuries can be prevented, but I have personally witnessed bull riding injuries that were significantly worse BECAUSE of the helmet and facemask.  My husband is a bull rider, and a very good friend of ours got jerked down on a bull, met his head with his chin and was knocked out cold.  Broke his jaw in 3 places and left him gathering his chickens for a day, and severe concussion where he could not do much for a month.  He still does not remember much of the accident or the following events.  The worst part....had he not been wearing a helmet, he would likely have cut his chin, big bruise and walked away.  My husband stopped wearing a helmet because of the higher frequency of getting knocked out and jaw injuries compared to when he wore just his hat. Â
So, when people say a helmet can never hurt....yes it can. Â They are designed to take the impact and redistribute the force, but where that force gets redistributed can have just as detrimental consequences.
That's a real shame...and I doubt stands up to the weight of the overwhelming evidence of the reduction of TBI and serious head injuries when a helmet is worn. Reminds me of the folks that say they don't wear a seatbelt because they would rather be "thrown clear" in a wreck because they knew someone who had the freak kind of accident in which a seatbelt potentially caused their injury to be worse etc.
Not telling anyone else what they should choose...but for me...I'll keep wearing my helmet. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | UTAHCANCHASER - 2016-03-01 5:33 PM
For those that wear helmets to run/ride in do you wear it anytime you are around a horse or just put it on when you get on?
?I am curious as serious injuries can happen from being on the ground and not just coming off a horse.
I am not a helmet wearer, I am not riding right now due to a knee injury not related to a horse. It is something I would possibly think about though as I ride alone a lot of the time.
I only were it when I am riding. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 408
| rodeoveteran - 2016-03-01 10:27 AM
love2ridepre - 2016-03-01 9:12 AM
I am wondering if it will get to a point where wearing a helmet will become mandatory for insurance reasons. I know the USEF requires all riders in English disciplines to wear one while in the show grounds.
That better not happen. I am beyond tired of insurance companies dictating things to us. Letting them impose seat belt laws was the top of the hill for this slippery slope. Let them dictate the wearing of helmets and it won't be long before they will not cover you if you participate in ANY dangerous behavior. And owning a horse in itself will be considered dangerous behavior. Be careful what you wish for!
I don't wish it, I truly don't as I think is a personal choice but it would not surprised me any if it does come to that! |
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