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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
  
Location: Canada | I used to wear a helmet all the time when I rode Hunter/Jumpers but when I switched to running barrels I stopped. My son is five now and is planning to Pee-Wee barrel race this summer so I've decided I'm going back to wearing a helmet. He always wears a helmet around the horses and now that he wants to compete I want to set a good example so one for him and one for Momma :)
I make all my 18 and under students wear one. It's my rules and requirements for riding with me. This takes the pressure off the parents when the kid complains they don't want to wear one. If you want to ride, put a helmet on. If you don't want to wear a helmet get comfy on the bench until you change your mind.  |
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Expert
Posts: 1477
Location: In the land of peanuts and cotton | mbcruel21 - 2016-02-29 11:00 AM
I think its a sensitive subject. I have honestly never had a thought that I needed to be wearing one, for whatever reason it has always been oh western people dont need a helmet. Looking back all the years I rode jumpers, I never had a problem wearing one, it was part of my daily routine, tack up horses put helmet on. Lara Dewess death was a reminder to all of us that anything can happen at anytime I think, it was for me atleast.
I agree this is a sensitive subject and may not be the best time to have this discussion but at the same time it can serve as a reminder to others to wear a helmet reguadless of whether you think you need it or not. |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | slacy09 - 2016-02-29 10:16 AM
OhMax - 2016-02-29 10:13 AM slacy09 - 2016-02-29 9:50 AM What about equestrian helmets? Why are they different than helmets I see at barrel races? Not sure what you mean? What helmets are you seeing a barrel races that aren't designed for horseback riding???
No, they aren't different. There are some I would recommend over others. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | I have an ovation for my daughter. I personally have a Charles Owen AYR8 and a GPA Speed Air Evolution. Both of mine are hunter/jumper style helmets. I love them. My GPA is so breathable. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Here is a video on helmet fit. It was done by the sales manager of the tack store I used to work for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gGDUSU4TpM |
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Expert
Posts: 1477
Location: In the land of peanuts and cotton | Anyone know who makes helmet covers? I was looking at getting a few different helmets when someone on fb mentioned covers but didn't know who made them. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I started wearing one about a year ago. My 25 year old daughter moved back, she has an 11 month old son and I made her start wearing a helmet, she has her son and husband to think of now. I started wearing one too, if my grandson wants to ride he will wear one. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | TessBelle - 2016-02-29 11:34 AM
Anyone know who makes helmet covers? I was looking at getting a few different helmets when someone on fb mentioned covers but didn't know who made them.
you can look at many english tack stores like Mary's Tack and Feed, Dover Saddlery and they sell helmet covers. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1117
Location: MI | I started wearing one last spring when I got bucked off - my old trusty mare was feeling fresh, I was caught off guard. Wasn't injured but my husband was super freaked out and it was a reminder that something bad can happen so quickly. I bought a Tipperary Sportage which luckily fits me very well and is comfortable (i think this is key- if it isn't comfy you'll dread wearing it). I think I've just reached a stage of "eff it" - I don't care what others think lol. But it does help that they've became more prevelant lately too. If you wear it often enough, all of a sudden you'll feel naked one day if you don't haha. 
Edited by KDS 2016-02-29 11:44 AM
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 Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | TessBelle - 2016-02-29 11:34 AM Anyone know who makes helmet covers? I was looking at getting a few different helmets when someone on fb mentioned covers but didn't know who made them.
Etsy |
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Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | TwistedK - 2016-02-29 11:22 AM I have an ovation for my daughter. I personally have a Charles Owen AYR8 and a GPA Speed Air Evolution. Both of mine are hunter/jumper style helmets. I love them. My GPA is so breathable.
The price!  |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | I had 2 different horses fall at home and my husband said wear a helmet of don't ride. Best thing ever since the Texas sun can fry your brains and wearing a baseball cap drives me nuts. I first bought a Troxel and I hated it and then bought a Tipperary Sportage and it's so light and comfortable plus it keeps the hot sun off of my head. I actually felt naked without it. It did take me longer to wear it when I ran but once I did...again it sure was a lot more comfortable then wearing a cowboy hat and worrying about it coming off. I didn't miss the stampede strings stangling me..LOL |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | I wear a helmet every single time I throw a leg over one of my horses. I even wear one on my super trustworthy mare. Fact is, it doesn't matter how trustworthy or safe the horse is, all it takes is one bad step or spook. I did feel a little silly for a moment the first time I put it on at a race, but that went away pretty quick. Who cares what other people think of you! By wearing a helmet you are actively protecting yourself from an injury and there is nothing stupid about that. I have always been a confident rider and have been asked to jump ride horses for people at jackpots before. Looking back now, I realize how dumb it was of me to jump on a horse I didnt know without a helmet. So dumb of me. And honestly, as confident of a rider as I was before, wearing a helmet has made me much more confident. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | slacy09 - 2016-02-29 11:48 AM
TwistedK - 2016-02-29 11:22 AM I have an ovation for my daughter. I personally have a Charles Owen AYR8 and a GPA Speed Air Evolution. Both of mine are hunter/jumper style helmets. I love them. My GPA is so breathable.
The price!
I know... I got them much cheaper than that when I worked for the tack store. I have since sold both of them and haven't been riding much. I will be investing in another GPA come fall. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| slacy09 - 2016-02-29 10:16 AM
OhMax - 2016-02-29 10:13 AM slacy09 - 2016-02-29 9:50 AM What about equestrian helmets? Why are they different than helmets I see at barrel races? Not sure what you mean? What helmets are you seeing a barrel races that aren't designed for horseback riding???
From a safety standpoint they've both passed the same inspections.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? |
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. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1028
| I started wearing mine all of the time last year. An accident I had with a colt that could've been much, much worse prompted me to start wearing one. I have an Ovation schooler that I really like a lot; it's so light, I hardly notice it's there anymore. At local races, there may be 1 other person wearing a helmet, but usually it's just me. I do get some looks, however, I think most of that will be changing with the well-known racers that have been wearing helmets. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1074
| Both of my children have Troxels. They have been good helmets. My daughter is 6 about to turn 7 and she's worn her's from 18 months on. She still has the same one. It is adjustable so it has grown with her. My son is 20 months old and he's had his about 2 months. They both know that they wear the helmet or don't ride. I'm going to order myself one and wear it as well. I wear a seatbelt in the truck, why not a helmet on the horse. I like the looks of the new helmets by Resistol that look like a hat, but I'd like to try one on before I buy. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | Troxel Liberty |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| Right now, I do not, but I have been thinking about it lately and don’t think it would be a bad idea. When I was a teen and breaking colts my dad always made me wear one for their first 20/30 days and then I would quit as my pride took over and “nobody wears them”.
Knowing what I do now, and after multiple head injuries (horse, 4wheeler, & car accidents) even the smaller knocks are going to hit me harder. It’s not worth the risk.
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