| Some people find that horse riding clothing is | | | | until you find one that suits you best. It is vital to |
| rather chic! In fact, millions of dollars are spent | | | | your health that you get this right! |
| each year in this industry. However, there is one | | | | Although they may look bulky, they are in fact |
| piece of clothing that you cannot do without: a | | | | much lighter in weight than you may think. They |
| helmet. It matters not how chic you look if you | | | | also have headliners, a fabric located inside the |
| incur a brain injury that leaves you debilitated or | | | | helmet with the foam liner, that is designed to |
| worse. | | | | keep your head dry and cool. In addition, most |
| There is an inherent risk of injury when riding | | | | helmets have air vents that help keep you cool |
| horses, just as exists in other sports. Any time | | | | and reduce the weight somewhat. |
| you place yourself in the position to possibly | | | | Do NOT use a bicycle riding helmet for horseback |
| sustain a head injury (by falling off) you MUST | | | | riding! They are designed differently and do not |
| take the necessary precaution to wear a helmet. | | | | offer the same protection as horse riding helmets. |
| If football players find it necessary in their sport, | | | | In fact, it is highly recommended that you use |
| it is certainly a requirement on the back of a | | | | helmets approved by the American Society for |
| horse. | | | | Testing and Materials. You will see an "ASTM/SEI |
| The basic structure of a helmet, regardless of the | | | | certified" label on the helmet which insures that |
| exterior appearance, is a plastic shell that will | | | | the helmet has been appropriately tested for |
| spread the shock of an impact if you fall and hit | | | | safety. |
| your head. There is also a foam liner that works | | | | Years ago, we often did not ride our horses with |
| to do the same. These are the critical elements | | | | helmets, nor did we wear them when on bicycles, |
| of your helmet that serve to protect you from a | | | | scooters, roller skates or the like! We had horse |
| head injury. | | | | riding clothing that usually included a good pair of |
| Just because you have this helmet on your head, | | | | boots, but helmets were not considered a |
| however, does not mean that it offers you any | | | | necessity. Since those days, we have learned a |
| protection unless you have it properly fastened. | | | | lot about head injuries and how to protect |
| Helmets come with a retention harness that must | | | | ourselves and our children from what we may |
| be connected each and every time you ride. No | | | | have luckily escaped. |
| cheating! If your helmet flies off as you take a | | | | Horse activities carry an inherent danger that |
| spill, it does you no good at all. Adjust the straps | | | | requires we be constantly vigilant to abide by safe |
| so that it keeps the helmet properly in place. | | | | practices and habits. Whether you are leading a |
| So, when is a helmet properly in place on your | | | | horse, mucking out a stall, or in the cross ties, |
| head? The helmet should be tight enough that | | | | always keep in mind the safest ways to behave |
| once in place and fastened, your scalp moves | | | | to stay out of harms way. One of the easiest |
| with the helmet when you move the helmet back | | | | ways to avoid injury is wearing a helmet each |
| and forth. Wear the helmet so that it sits no | | | | and every time you ride your horse. Then and |
| more than one inch above your eyebrows, | | | | only then, go out and buy all the horse riding |
| covering your forehead. If it slips forward over | | | | clothing your heart desires! |
| your eyes, it is too loose. Try on several brands | | | | |