Horse Riding Helmets ~ Are They Really a Necessity?

Russell — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:38:00 +0000

Horse riding can be a dangerous activity.

Unlike their predecessors riding helmets of today serve a purpose beyond making people look good: they are worn for the primary purpose of safety. Although many people don’t stop to think about it, competitive horse riding is a sport that can be fraught with danger. This is the reason why helmets of today are designed and standardised to make sure that a rider does not suffer serious cranial injuries when riding.

“Riding or equestrian helmets have sport-specific differences from those used in other sports. For this reason, a helmet designed for another sport, such as bicycle riding helmets, are not deemed suitable for horse riding. The riding helmet covers more of a person’s head than does a bicycle riding helmet, fitting lower on the head, particularly at the back of the skull, and has protection distributed evenly around the head rather than being concentrated in the front and back. Aside from the safety features, aerodynamics are less important in a horse riding helmet than in a bicycle helmet. The appearance of horse riding helmets is frequently based on that of an English hunt cap. Additionally good ventilation and comfort are considered important features of a horse riding helmet”.*

“Certified helmets are required headgear for a number of competitive riding events, particularly where horse and rider must work or jump at high speed. Helmets are worn more often by English-style riders and are gaining acceptance as required headgear for children. They are most widely accepted in activities such as eventing, show jumping, or horse racing. They are required in eventing, in endurance riding and other types of competitions. Riders who take their horses hacking or trail riding sometimes wear helmets, though there are tremendous variations in helmet use in different regions and countries. However, for general safety reasons horse riders helmets are recommended at all times when one is near or on a horse”.*

The helmet itself has an outer layer of plastic, which resists impact and prevents injuries in case of a fall. However, some riding helmets are designed with a cloth covering the shiny plastic in order to make the helmet look more attractive. The brim of the helmet is designed to protect the eyes of the rider from the harsh glare of the sun. It also makes the helmet more attractive in terms of design. However, the brim is not made of the same materials as the ’shell’ of the helmet. Rather, it is designed to crumple during a fall. This makes the helmet safer in the event that a rider lands on the brim.

The inside of the riding helmet is designed with both comfort and safety in mind. Added padding makes sure that the helmet takes the brunt of the impact in case of a fall. The design is also very sport-specific being one of the reasons why an equestrian helmet is easily recognisable.

There are many variations on the equestrian helmet based on the competition. Horse racing jockeys, for instance, mostly wear helmets that are brimless and covered with a cloth matching the color scheme of their uniforms. Traditionalists in everyday riding are inclined to frown upon the spreading use of brilliant colored helmets, but more and more people find the colors black, brown and grey boring.

There are also some varieties of equestrian helmets today that have been adapted to more “western” designs. These helmets, however, are yet to be embraced by riders in rodeos (where they are obviously more needed).

Standardisation varies from country to country. However, a rider who joins a competition must have a standard riding helmet or that rider will not be allowed to compete. People who are qualified with the competition requirements and who have performed a “conformity assessment” judge whether the helmet being worn is up to standard.

The conformity assessment is a series of tests that show how safe the helmet is. Some assessments involve various tests that simulate a rider falling from a horse and even getting kicked by a horse in the head.

Today, the equestrian helmet is not yet required for riders. However, their use is becoming common practice. In fact, riding instructors today are required by insurance companies to make their students wear riding helmets in order to get an insurance policy. Even although some people may feel that equestrian helmets are uncomfortable and hot, you should always remember that the real purpose of wearing a helmet is to help keep you safe.

* Modified from Wikipedia

Selecting the Right Horse Riding Saddle is Vital: Tips on Selection and Fitting.

Russell — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:06:21 +0000

Selecting a saddle.

Which saddle would you choose?

Ensuring that you select the right horse riding saddle for your horse is vital. It not only affects the position in which you sit on your horse, and therefore can be beneficial in preventing back ache or muscle paid, but it also affects the horse. No responsible horse owner would want him to be in discomfort and pain and so choosing the best saddle is very important.

You can look for expert advice from a responsible horse tack shop or saddler who will measure your horse and recommend the saddles that they think are most appropriate, but as with most things worthwhile, this service costs money. However, I highly recommend this service as it ensures that you will not be causing any distress to your horse when you ride him. Should you be dealing with a tack shop out of your locality, they should be able to tell you how to get the right measurements so that they can then advise you on an appropriate saddle.

Positioning the saddle.

Once you’ve purchased the correct saddle it’s important to remember that positioning the saddle on your horse’s back is also vital in ensuring your horse is comfortable when ridden. There are three main muscles in the horse’s back which can be affected by the use of a badly positioned saddle. It’s also important to familiarise yourself with these and their locations before attempting to position the saddle on your horse. This will give you an idea of where the saddle needs to sit in order to be most comfortable for your horse. You can look for advice on these muscle positions from a vet used to working with horses.

In addition to the muscles which can be affected by the saddle, you must remember that the saddle is positioned on your horse’s back and so that this can have an effect on his spine and his vertebrae. Remembering this should remind you of how important this lesson is and that you cannot afford to take risks with your horse if you want him to lead a long, painless and comfortable life.

Fitting the saddle.

To fit the saddle, firstly place the saddle on your horse’s back, forward of the wither. Once you’ve done this, slide it back along the back of your horse until it cannot comfortably go any further. This will vary dependent on the shape of the individual horse but the lowest point of the saddle should correspond to the lowest point of the horse’s back. If the saddle is in the correct position, the saddle tree will not be pressing on the scapula (the shoulder of the horse) but will rest in the natural grooves behind them. The most common mistake is to position the saddle too far forward and this then can cause the saddle to press on the muscles in the scapula causing pain, impeding movement and creating the possibility of saddle sores.

Once you’ve learned how to position the saddle you will find it comes naturally after a time and both he and you find it really takes very little effort. But it’s worth taking the time to learn to do it properly if you wish to remain the owner of a healthy, happy horse.

Horse Care For Beginners » horse riding saddle

Horse Riding Helmets ~ Are They Really a Necessity?

Selecting the Right Horse Riding Saddle is Vital: Tips on Selection and Fitting.