Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
I got a email in my inbox this morning about a woman who died over the weekend in NY, due to a horrible accident with head injuries. One of her friends sent an email...asking everyone to consider wearing a helmet. I posted that email on my blog, too long to post here. Please visit my blog to read the email.Please consider wearing a helmet and use a breastcollar on your horse.We're all important and loved! {{{HUGS}}}My Bloghttp://iceponytrekking.blogspot.com/
Posted 2008-11-04 10:16 PM (#94283 - in reply to #94279) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I think we should all start wearing our helmets that are lurking in the back of the closet.. One of my nurse friends took care of a young (30's - 40's) lady that had been thrown from her horse.. She'd been taking a lot of aspirin before that due to headaches.. Her blood was so thin from the aspirin that she developed a huge brain bleed and died from what normally would have been a minor bump...
I don't like wearing mine either, but the consequences are scary
Posted 2008-11-05 6:40 AM (#94291 - in reply to #94279) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368 Location: Georgia
I have always worn a cowboy hat when I ride.(I only trail ride.) Helps keep the sun off and breaks up the spider webs on the trail. Having said that...I recently decided to buy a helmet. I decided that my brain is my most important part and that it should be protected. I am still getting used to the helmet and I miss the whole help with the spiderwebs. Now I usually come out of the woods with about 4 lbs of spider webs in my eye lashes! hehehehe I looked into getting a helmet that is a cowboy hat too but the only one I could find was black felt and that does not work down here in the HOT south. I might just rig up my own helmet with a palm leaf hat attached. It will probably look rather odd because I will have to get such a big hat but then I don't generally give a rat's booty what folks think! I'll let ya know how it turns out!
Posted 2008-11-05 7:01 AM (#94292 - in reply to #94279) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
I used to wear an Auzzie style hat to protect my face from the sun, but decided it was really more important to protect my head and brains... and I found a company out of Australia that sells sun shades which velcro onto your helmet and provide lots of sun protection. They have a variety of styles and colors to match the helmet. www.Cutana.com.au
Posted 2008-11-05 8:36 PM (#94349 - in reply to #94279) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
At risk of sounding fuddy duddy....
Every horse-- every time, It has been my motto ever since I learned to ride.
I started wearing one at the ripe ole age of 54, cause that was when I got my first horse of my own. Our instructor won't even come to the arena and start lessons until EVERYONE is helmeted. You know what, I am so used to my Troxel "Sierra" with a trail brim, I feel naked with out. Yes, I do realize that as adults we have the right to choose, it seems we also have the right to die of injuries!!!!
Hate me if you will, but I'll still wear mine every time--- every horse!
Posted 2008-11-05 8:59 PM (#94352 - in reply to #94279) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Member
Posts: 45 Location: Southern Illinois
I never go out on the trail without a helmet either. My friend and her horse fell into a sinkhole once (at LBJ Grasslands in TX). When her horse freaked out and tried to get out of the hole, it's front hoof pawed the top of her head . Luckily, she was wearing a helmet and did not suffer the head trauma she would have received had she not been wearing it..
There are so many things that can happen while riding I think it's worth the discomfort to protect our precious noggins..
Posted 2008-11-06 7:34 PM (#94417 - in reply to #94279) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Regular
Posts: 65 Location: TN
Once you get use to a helmet it is like not putting on your seatbelt. My husband and always wear one. Last weekend my husband's horse took a fall going down a hill on a trail that was a very easy trail. Just a freak thing. My husband hit his head on a rock that put a dent in his helmet larger than an egg. Even with the helmet he had a headache for three days. I can only imagine what kind of injury he would have sustained without the helmet.
Posted 2008-11-07 7:14 PM (#94487 - in reply to #94279) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
I always wear a helmet riding and driving....May I suggest a Tipperary Helmet. Very sporty and one of the most comfortable helmets I've ever worn. For the sun, I recommend a Salamander Visor. They come in several colors and velcro onto your helmet. You can change helmets or change colors I took a riding lesson in a pouring rain and only got a few spots on my glasses. Cowboy hats and caps are great but is it worth the risk not to be able to ride again?
Like smooth ride's hubby, I had a fall where I actually landed on my hip but I bounced down the mountain and hit my head on a rock. Cleared my sinuses for days and I actually swear I could feel my brain sloshing around....can't imagine what would have happened without the helmet.
Here are a couple of pics of our helmets with the visors....
Posted 2008-11-27 4:07 PM (#95436 - in reply to #94527) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 309 Location: MO
This 72 YO man has a Troxel Sierra Helmet. It is more stylish than a regular helmet.And protects my hard head. I used to say that if I landed on my head it wouldn't hurt me 'cause there was nothing inside anyway. I've changed my tune after suffering a couple of TIAs (mini strokes) and my Dr. doesn't even want me to ride at all. But, said that if I must ride, please wear a helmet.
Posted 2009-01-10 9:00 AM (#97244 - in reply to #94279) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Location: KY
There is such a variety of helmets and helmet accessories available now; I just think of my helmet as a fashion statement! I have the fuchia helmet which I enjoy and also the Caldesi which is very comfortable.
Posted 2009-01-10 6:54 PM (#97267 - in reply to #97235) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
bjhouten,
Hey thanks! The pants are the Sensation Tights from Devon Aire. They make 2 styles of Sensation tights now and one of them does not have the pocket. I LOVE the pockets...I also have the cargo tights by Kerrits which have a pocket on each side. Both are very comfortable. The Devon Aire tights are similar to the Irideon tights in the feel of the material.
I like the pockets at vet checks to carry the extra cookie. It also keeps the cell phone handy and nothing falls out of them!
Posted 2009-01-28 10:45 AM (#98398 - in reply to #94279) Subject: RE: Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: ohio
I also started wearing a helmet when I got a new horse after riding the same horse for 15 years. Mine is the Troxel Sierra. It is very lite and I don't have an issue when it is hot. I do hate the helmet hair but I am getting used to the look! There have been several times when we were leaving from a break and I have forgotten my helmet and had to go back and get it. Like I said it is so lite I didn't even notice it wasn't on intil I looked up and I could see the sky and tree limbs which is usually shielded with the visor, then I realized my helmet! I have noticed alot more people wearing them.
Totally OT- Please Wear A Helmet
. Luckily, she was wearing a helmet and did not suffer the head trauma she would have received had she not been wearing it.. 
I took a riding lesson in a pouring rain and only got a few spots on my glasses. Cowboy hats and caps are great but is it worth the risk not to be able to ride again? 
