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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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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
 
Location: IL | 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.
done! :) | |
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 Ms. Poutability
Posts: 2362
Location: In my own world | TACKyPaints - 2016-03-02 10:30 AM 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. done! :)
I just started wearing one last year. Don't have any pics of me wearing one. But I am a 35 yr old mom and I make my 12 yr old daughter wear one too. I kind of hate that people look at you funny. But I am seeing more people wearing them even young people and always get a nice nod from them! I know it's not western tradition but you only get one brain!! | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | I would love to hear the differences in helmets too. I've always wondered about the price difference and what made some so much more expensive than others. Hoping somebody can give an explanation. | |
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | I have a question, but don't really want to sound argumentative but wasn't the actor, Christopher Reeve, wearing a helmet? I know there is also some information that they can cause neck injuries if you land on certain angles. I would have to look them up again but have been reading so much in the past few days.
In Florida there was a law passed that requires any equstrian events to wear helmets but EXEMPTS Western and Rodeo eventing.
I think it should be a personal choice. Recent events in the Southeastern Rodeo world have caused a lot of conversation. The specific situation that caused a death, I do not believe would have been changed by a helmet. The rider hit the pavement face first at a high rate of speed. As with so many things, I think it should be personal choice.
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 Expert
Posts: 1889
Location: Texas | To anyone contemplating wearing a helmet.
I hadn't in years since I'd switched from Hunter/Jumper to Barrels. Now I usually wear one even just to feed.
I bred, raised, and trained my own prospects and just as they were old enough to be patterned, someone else will be the one to finish them. I spent years building my dream and now I don't even know if I will ever compete again. My life has changed. I went from riding and working 2-4 horses a day to riding a handful of times over the past year and a half. I now ride with a helmet and a magic seat because I don't have the balance I had before. I'm having to disperse most of my horses. Fortunately I have a very supportive husband. I love him and don't want him to have to care for a vegetable. I have lots of days where I am barely functional. It takes a toll on him. I hate that. I detest this person I have become because I am so limited in what I am capable of doing anymore. It's a lonely state to be in because no one understands what you are struggling with. You look ok on the outside so people think you are fine.
I didn't have one major injury. I've had many concussions over the years (never knocked out and some more severe than others). I took a number of what I thought were minor hits over a short period of time which ended up changing my life. According to my neurologist the hits, bumps, and concussions are accumulative. I'm at risk for early onset dementia and CTE.
Even if you don't want to wear a helmet for you, wear one for those who love you. | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 146
| Cost doesn't effect whether it's a better helmet or not. Just make sure it meets or exceeds ASTM/SEI safety standards and make sure the helmet fits correctly. If you are wondering about proper helmet fit, there are some video's on Smart Pak's web site under the helmet sections on how to fit them properly. Some helmet brands fit heads that are more round shape while others fit more oval shape heads. They make plenty of ventilated helmets also, nice to wear in hot climates.
I've been wearing a helmet for 26+ years, I look like a mushroom head but that's fine, I'd rather be safe. | |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Bobbie1207 - 2016-03-02 7:13 AM
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.
Thank you for this info - I don't think the Atwood's in Derby has them but I will sure check! There are several Tractor Supply stores here, so I will check them as well!! | |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| TrailGirl - 2016-03-02 7:22 AM
weder - 2016-03-01 4:43 PM
TrailGirl - 2016-02-29 12:11 PM.
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.
Here exactly, is case in point. My husband was in a rollover accident in a semi 35 years ago. Had he been wearing a seat belt, they would have had to cut him out of the truck IN PIECES. I know, I saw the truck when I picked him up. There was NO room for a body where the seat was. As it was, he walked away from the wreck, literally. He used to pull double bottomed gas tankers. Those guys NEVER wore seat belts as they wanted to exit the truck ASAP if there was a wreck, though the windshield , if they had to kick it out.
My feeling on seat belts, is that they should be standard on every vehicle, but they should NOT be able to stop and ticket you if you are not wearing one. It is coming to the point I predicted when they started passing the seat belt laws. The insurance companies will be able to get out of covering a claim if it can be proved the victim was not wearing a seat belt. The laws were passed to PROTECT the INSURANCE COMPANIES' PROFIT MARGIN. An added bonus is the revenue generated by tickets. I got one ticket for not wearing a seat belt in town, and watched the cop drive away without buckling up. In fact I see many cops driving down the road, unbelted, typing on their computer, on the phone or TEXTING. But they can stop us at random, for any of the above, even drinking a coffee, smoking, or interacting with a pet, in some places. Heck, having a passenger can distract some people unbelievably, so we should all drive by ourselves.....
It comes down to the fact that you can't legislate common sense and you can't legislate accidents from happening. But, oh yeah, there is no such thing as an accident, it is always somebody else's fault. Hubby got hooked by a bull during a performance. Hospital kept asking who was responsible, whose fault was it, to assign blame for the insurance companies. He told them "It was my fault, I didn't get out of the way." They just couldn't comprehend that someone was willing to take responsibility for their own actions and choices.
Maybe , if I had kids to worry about, I would make different choices. I am an organ donor, have told my hubby to pull the plug sooner than later. I am not worried about seeing my kids grow up, graduate, get married, have grandkids. So just let me make my choices and you make yours. And STAND by those choices. Don't worry about what others think!
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 Another Barbossa
Posts: 2187
Location: Central Iowa, surrounded by corn! | https://www.facebook.com/helhat/
I think the blinged up version of this helmet looks pretty good. | |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| This tragedy has really made me think about making the switch. I wore one as a little little kid until about 5 and then started with a cowboy hat. My nieces wear them when they ride. But I hate hate hate anything on my head. Cowboy hat, baseball cap, helmet etc. I just know I wont wear it on an average day. I would likely only wear one for competition where its required. Then I feel like thats silly...
Anyway, there are enough respectable girls that wear them that I dont even notice them anymore. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| stayceem - 2016-03-02 11:39 AM
This tragedy has really made me think about making the switch. I wore one as a little little kid until about 5 and then started with a cowboy hat. My nieces wear them when they ride. But I hate hate hate anything on my head. Cowboy hat, baseball cap, helmet etc. I just know I wont wear it on an average day. I would likely only wear one for competition where its required. Then I feel like thats silly...
Anyway, there are enough respectable girls that wear them that I dont even notice them anymore.
I, too hate anything on my head. I always overheated, even with a ball cap on. Then, I lost my confidence and wearing a helmet has really helped. I got one with a lot of vents and even in the South Texas summer, it's not bad at all.
But don't feel silly about wearing one only at competitions.
If you won't wear it, don't buy it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
People should not make fun of people wearing a helmet.
People who wear helmets should not try to make others feel bad for not wanting to wear one.
To each their own, people.  | |
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Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
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This is cool looking!
This accident not only got me thinking but my husband is pretty adamant that I wear one for my son at least! Thus, I wore my son's helmet yesterday. Felt like Toad from the Nintendo Mario games ... but oh well. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 285
| I know most of us say that won't happen to me. I'm proud that Fallon wears a helmet. She has so many kids looking up to her. Race track jockeys wear helmets, why not barrel racing jockeys too? I mean, you make 3 sharp turns at full speed. One slip and it could be done. I'm really thinking of buying a helmet. I can't say I'd wear it all the time, but running barrels yes. I will probably feel a little insecure wearing one at first, but if it protects my head then I'm all for it. I want to live a long happy life and one day have kids. One slip and those dreams could be over. What if you fall but it doesn't kill you? Just puts you in a vegetable state for the rest of your life. I just think helmets are the way to go and I'm proud of those who are sporting them. I will probably be the only one at the local jps, but Id rather protect myself. Some little girl could be watching and decide she wants to protect her head too. | |
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 On the Countdown
Posts: 2934
Location: Texas | Swannranch - 2016-03-02 10:53 AM I have a question, but don't really want to sound argumentative but wasn't the actor, Christopher Reeve, wearing a helmet? I know there is also some information that they can cause neck injuries if you land on certain angles. I would have to look them up again but have been reading so much in the past few days.
In Florida there was a law passed that requires any equstrian events to wear helmets but EXEMPTS Western and Rodeo eventing.
I think it should be a personal choice. Recent events in the Southeastern Rodeo world have caused a lot of conversation. The specific situation that caused a death, I do not believe would have been changed by a helmet. The rider hit the pavement face first at a high rate of speed. As with so many things, I think it should be personal choice.
I have wondered the same thing. It isn't protecting your entire head, a full face helment is about the only way.
I don't want to be argumentative either but it is just my side.
I better wear one at all times because anything could happen. I was in a bad car accident when I was little, didn't wear a seat belt, and still didn't wear one afterwards. The only reason I do now is because it is a law. Yep, I hit the windsheild with my forehead have a ugly scar for a reminder everyday and have major neck issues, but being short and where a seat belt hits me I hate them. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1525
| So last night I was riding one of mom and I's many colts that we have had off the track (Spencer), across the street to the cotton field to go ride. Mom had run to the store and like most days I was out there, riding alone. I dont think mom ever breezed him and I know its been over a year or so since he came off the track and could use it by the way he "thinks" he is really firing in the pattern, but I know that he has a ton more to give with his 91 SI. So I gave him a good little warm-up long trotting and loping and said my little prayer, "God, please don't let this horse trip...." as I started to breeze him over the next couple hundred yards. This is the same prayer that I say three days a week breezing the three horses (2 off the track) that I breeze in that somewhat uneven, slightly grown up, cotton field across the street. We breezed about 200 or so yards and when we broke down in a trot I say my usual prayer "God, thanks for the safe trip."...and I breathed my big sigh of relief and finished out the workout.
On the way back I pondered the helmet thing, recently inquiring about one for my daughter, who will have her first playday in 2 weeks...which I will leadline her though, on the same horses that I am breezing...or at least two of them. They love her, heck, they love me. They are broke and sane and athletic...but yet I found myself saying a prayer before a run because I know what can happen, by accident. I broke a lot of horses for the track, rode a bunch of them after, have owned and trained quite a few for barrels....fast AAA ones, not so fast ones....does it really matter? I have said that same prayer breezing all of them over the past 15 years or so.....breathed that same sigh of relief when I was done.
I never stopped to think about how all the jockeys wear helmets, and get to run and then slow down and stop at a somewhat controlled decent of speed.....and why we DONT wear helmets, on the same horses, but with the immediate stopping and turning and then to a closed gate a lot of times or an abrupt stop? Why in the world have I never viewed it that way before...was I so blinded by the stigma?
I remember 10 or so years ago in college all the bullriders were wearing vests for the most part...but not helmets. There was a stigma....but now, when I see a guy riding without one, I cringe....and I think that a lot of people do. The stigma isn't the same as it was and maybe one day for barrelracers it wont be either.
Before, I remember that the girls wearing the helmets were inexperienced horsewomen, either beginners or just didn't have a whole lot of natural ability, or maybe they were on a horse that acted so badly that anyone would have worn a helmet that climbed on board..........but its starting to not be that way.....and I hope one day, IT JUST ISN'T.
I do not ride in a helmet, I do not own one....but I am about to. The truth is it doesnt matter how athletic, or fast or slow my horse is....or how athletic, or fat, or in shape or experienced with all or no natural talent at all that I may be....crap can happen, at any time, at any place.....and a helmet isnt going to always prevent me from getting seriously hurt...but while bones and muscles and things of that nature seem to heal, with the obvious exceptions, heads are not so easy...I for one should know that, as I still suffer from memory loss from my head hitting the window in a truck when I got hit by a drunk driver my first year of college.
The truth is I could not live with myself if something ever happened to my daughter and a helmet would have prevented it. I feel the same way about driving around without her in the carseat. One day she might say, "Hey, I feel like a dork, I'm insecure, and I dont want to wear it." And I cant guarantee that I am always going to have it on my head either. At that time, after she understands the risks of her actions, I might not MAKE her wear one....but FINGERS CROSSED the stigma will be partially if not fully dead and gone...a past-time, like when bullriders didn't wear vests, cars didn't have airbags or seat belt laws....as NORMAL as seeing a helmet on a jockey.
Edited by MOTIVATED 2016-03-02 1:02 PM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Now my next question.
For all that wear helmets, if you have fallen off and bumped your head, and for those who haven't yet,
Have/will you replace your helmet each time?
If you haven't replaced your helmet, do you realize the integrity of the helmet has been compromised, so you are riding with a false sense of security.
Even if the helmet falls off of the horn onto cement, you should be buying a new one | |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | love2ridepre - 2016-03-02 8:57 AM 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!
We wear them at events... Mandatory.. so what if it is ? it is for the protection of the event arenas as well as you.. I think its a little over the top to say next they will say horses are to dangerous.. Football Players are required .. its a uniform.. we do it.. it didnt change anything.. why should you all not ddo it mandatory at events? does it really make that much differance... at your home or barn do what you want.. the "My choice" yes it is... but at big events it certainly isnt a big deal to thow one on.. it might help if needed... you can run away with this as OMG they take away my freedom but frankly thats absurd.. JMO | |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | cheryl makofka - 2016-03-02 1:06 PM
Now my next question.
For all that wear helmets, if you have fallen off and bumped your head, and for those who haven't yet,
Have/will you replace your helmet each time?
If you haven't replaced your helmet, do you realize the integrity of the helmet has been compromised, so you are riding with a false sense of security.
Even if the helmet falls off of the horn onto cement, you should be buying a new one
You are supposed to replace your helmet every time you fall and bump/hit your head. That being said, most people do not if there does not appear to be any visible damage, however, the inside of the helmet may be damaged. Charles Owen offers a great helmet replacement program with discounts on new helmets depending on the age of the one that was in an accident. | |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | cheryl makofka - 2016-03-02 2:06 PM Now my next question. For all that wear helmets, if you have fallen off and bumped your head, and for those who haven't yet, Have/will you replace your helmet each time? If you haven't replaced your helmet, do you realize the integrity of the helmet has been compromised, so you are riding with a false sense of security. Even if the helmet falls off of the horn onto cement, you should be buying a new one
Curious if you wear a helmet when riding? | |
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