Do you wear a helmet every time you ride?

[buck-wild-chick]

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You put that so well UWR, I had typed something similar and hit the back button.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I have a tipperary and it is sooo comfortable. My first helmet actually hurt my head. It was one of those typical (and very expensive) white helmets. The tipperary cost me $30, it is a really nice green color, and fits me very well. I don't even think about having to remember it when I ride, its just become a habit. I never really cared if I looked stupid or not. My white helmet DID look stupid, but this tipperary just looks like a high tech bicycle helmet.

When I was younger I hit my head a few times on a rock while wearing my helmet. I've fallen quite a few times while doing speed event and training in my field and I've been lucky enough to never be more injured than some minor bruising. Even when I hit my head, the helmet took the brunt of the force and I just had a slight headache.

I actually see a lot more of the professional bull riders using helmets and vests now. I think that's awesome. There's actually be a few instance I've seen where the bull would have crushed their heads with a hoof had they not been wearing a helmet. I'd definitely rather see a damaged helmet than a damaged head!

I don't know. I do agree that helmets won't always protect you, but there are those few times they might. A person may fall off a horse hundreds of times. It only takes ONE time to be seriously injured. The other times you are just lucky, very lucky. Its like seatbelts. I wear one because its there and available as protection proven to save lives. of course there are times they don't, but why not wear one just in case?

I ride with several people who don't wear helmets. I don't judge them. I just hope they have thought out their decisions well enough to understand the risks of not wearing a helmet.

 

[fowltemptress]

Nope. We wear cowboy hats when we ride, thank goodness. There are a lot of things I don't like about this state, but I have to admit, we sure know how to dress when riding.

 

[Haviris]

No, I don't own one, I'm certainly not apposed to them. I've just never had a strong desire to have one, and wouldn't know the first thing about shopping for one if I ever did.

It has nothing to do w/ how I think it'd make me look, to be perfectly honest I could care less what others think of my looks. If I rode w/ someone that would feel more confortable if I wore one, and had one to let me use, I wear it for their benefit (as long as they weren't pushing it on me, but just ask me to wear it).

I actually hear alot more stories about people being dragged then anything else.

 

[Terri]

ok, so if and when you get hurt, don't asked others to give to your fund, no buckets at the local market, no rodeos in your name, it is up to each of us to determine how much risk we are willing to take. if you take to much, it should be on you.

 

[unionwirewoman]

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I don't think most people ask for that . My mother was told that she would have her leg cut off...thankfully she didn't have to . She , or ANY of our family have never accepted handouts , be it the government or strangers . My family takes care of it's own . It IS , however a persons choice to do things that might enhance their "danger" factor . You can't tell me that if you fell off a horse and broke your back ( just like Christopher Reeves did , who by the way...wore a helmet ) that you would regret riding horses or living life . He took that risk into consideration , just like everyone does in life . Wear what you want to....it doesn't mean it's going to protect you from every injury in life . I was kicked in the face by a work horse when I was 7 yrs old....came within 1/8" of blinding me in my right eye . Still carry the scar to this day . I also carry the scar of "kissing" the bull that broke my jaw in 3 places among numerous root canals and reconfigurations . Would I change it for a helmet knowing what would happen....no . Life's about experiencing life......not hiding from it . As I said before...to each his/her own....live life scared that a raging bull is coming after you....or take it head on knowing you gave it your all.

 

[OthalaAcres]

I used to never wear a helmet when I rode unless it was when I was taking lessons and it was required. The barn where the horses I have now were required helmets, so I always wore one when I rode. Now that they're here I still wear one. I've taken a couple good spills off my Mustang and didn't hit my head, but since we are more of a rock farm than anything else (we are in NH after all!) I figure my bare head possibly bouncing off one is well worth wearing a helmet. My guy is pretty mellow and never bucks or anything, but even Mr. Lazyhorse could possibly spook at some sudden "monster" popping out of somewhere, and horses do occasionally trip.

Will I wear one every single time I'm riding? Probably not. I'm sure there will be times when I don't put one on because I forgot or am being lazy, but I try to make a habit of it. Will the kids wear helmets? Absolutely. As will anyone who rides on our property, for liability reasons.

I am a stickler for helmets, tho. I don't like the new ones... they look too much like bike helmets. I ride Western, but I wear a traditional black velvet English helmet. Doesn't fit my Western tack, jeans & cowboy boots look, but hey, neither would a wheelchair!

 

[texasgal]

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Don't be fooled .. you aren't "hurt-proof" because you wear a helmet .. Some would say we're foolish to ride 1000 lb animals to begin with. It's all a matter of people's comfort zone.


No reason to get ugly .. its just personal choice.

 

[PortageGirl]

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Don't be fooled .. you aren't "hurt-proof" because you wear a helmet .. Some would say we're foolish to ride 1000 lb animals to begin with. It's all a matter of people's comfort zone.


No reason to get ugly .. its just personal choice.

I seriously doubt anyone who rides believes they are hurt proof, many people have admitted that there are other ways to get hurt. If they feel (as I do) that it helps nudge the odds in their favor so there's a little better chance they'll come out a little better, then I applaud their decision to be a little more careful.

I've had broken bones, been rolled over, been kicked, had accidents, whatever, all that fun stuff... doesn't mean I can't take some intelligent precautions is all.

I've been hurt on a bicycle, a motorcycle, and more often around horses, any of them can be dangerous... I don't live in fear, I just try to minimize risk.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

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That's it in a nutshell.