Driving in the European landscape you see a lot of riders riding (at home or on the road) without a helmet. A lot of the riders are a stickler for the horse's safety and those around their horse. However, far to often, they forget their own safety. How many times did you forget to put on your helmet for a quiet or quick ride?
First point you should know is that not every riding helmet is the same. (See also 'The riding helmet; we did the test')... But they are all designed with one purpose: protect the human neck and head from fractures. Yet a lot of people find reasons enough not to wear a helmet. The favorite excuse, in that case, is that they are hot and uncomfortable. But there are for sure many more creative excuses... :
1.: I am experienced in emergency stop and dismounting: Undoubtedly, these are significant skills to be learnt for horse riding but there is no guarantee of effectiveness. Your skill can never be an alternative to the protection a helmet is able to provide.
2.: Helmet causes headaches: Apparently, it may sound legitimate as the helmet is wrapped around your skull for quite some time. Nevertheless, its not the helmet that causes headache; it is the dehydration of your body from sweating. Moreover, there are lightweight helmets available for people who are sensitive to heat.
3.: Veteran riders don’t need helmets: As impressive as the statement may sound, statistics say otherwise. A team of Alberta based researchers has documented the reported injuries from horse riding and on an average, those riders have 27 years of riding experience.
4.: Helmets cost a lot of money: This not really a genuine excuse; you can buy a helmet for as little as $50.00 and what are fifty dollars compared to the hospital bill if (God forbid) you get into an accident and are hospitalized? Spending a small amount as precaution is wiser than leaving yourself vulnerable to some mishap
But if you would not be convinced yet that wearing a helmet is actually a must do, let us just give you some reasons why You should wear that helmet:
1.: A riding helmet is available in all shapes, colors and materials. It is a part of Your fashionable outfit. Even more it is a good excuse to go shopping, safety above all, no?
2.: Protect Your brains, you only have one pair! Unfortunatly our skull is the most vulnerable body part.
3.: Nobody wants to fall from his/her horse, although it happens to all of us. Just make sure You are prepared, wearing a helmet with a CE-mark. As such You can enjoy the ride.
4.: You could, by wearing a helmet, just safe Your own life…
Driving in the European landscape you see a lot of riders riding (at home or on the road) without a helmet. A lot of the riders are a stickler for the horse's safety and those around their horse. However, far to often, they forget their own safety. How many times did you forget to put on your helmet for a quiet or quick ride?
First point you should know is that not every riding helmet is the same. (See also 'The riding helmet; we did the test')... But they are all designed with one purpose: protect the human neck and head from fractures. Yet a lot of people find reasons enough not to wear a helmet. The favorite excuse, in that case, is that they are hot and uncomfortable. But there are for sure many more creative excuses... :
1.: I am experienced in emergency stop and dismounting: Undoubtedly, these are significant skills to be learnt for horse riding but there is no guarantee of effectiveness. Your skill can never be an alternative to the protection a helmet is able to provide.
2.: Helmet causes headaches: Apparently, it may sound legitimate as the helmet is wrapped around your skull for quite some time. Nevertheless, its not the helmet that causes headache; it is the dehydration of your body from sweating. Moreover, there are lightweight helmets available for people who are sensitive to heat.
3.: Veteran riders don’t need helmets: As impressive as the statement may sound, statistics say otherwise. A team of Alberta based researchers has documented the reported injuries from horse riding and on an average, those riders have 27 years of riding experience.
4.: Helmets cost a lot of money: This not really a genuine excuse; you can buy a helmet for as little as $50.00 and what are fifty dollars compared to the hospital bill if (God forbid) you get into an accident and are hospitalized? Spending a small amount as precaution is wiser than leaving yourself vulnerable to some mishap
But if you would not be convinced yet that wearing a helmet is actually a must do, let us just give you some reasons why You should wear that helmet:
1.: A riding helmet is available in all shapes, colors and materials. It is a part of Your fashionable outfit. Even more it is a good excuse to go shopping, safety above all, no?
2.: Protect Your brains, you only have one pair! Unfortunatly our skull is the most vulnerable body part.
3.: Nobody wants to fall from his/her horse, although it happens to all of us. Just make sure You are prepared, wearing a helmet with a CE-mark. As such You can enjoy the ride.
4.: You could, by wearing a helmet, just safe Your own life…