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  Discussion on Helmets please!
Author Message
Member:
Ribbons

Posted on Friday, Nov 10, 2006 - 12:18 pm:

A plea to all who read this. Please wear your helmet whenever you ride.A very bright young girl who was an accomplished equestrian in our community was killed yesterday due to a riding accident. She was found beside the road, so no one knows exactly what happened, but the local story is that there was no helmet found near her, and she suffered severe head trauma. She was very active 4-H'er, a scholar, and generous volunteer with many civic organizations. The world will miss such a promising young person, but perhaps her memory will serve to remind all of us to ride responsibly.
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Friday, Nov 10, 2006 - 12:32 pm:

Sorry for the loss to your community. I second your emotion! It amazes me how many of my friends, and their children do not wear helmets on trail rides, especially the kids. You kind of feel like a geeber the first few minutes, but you quickly get over it, and really, who's that interested in what you look like. That seems to be the main reason people do not wear helmets. Vanity.
Member:
Pbauer

Posted on Friday, Nov 10, 2006 - 2:41 pm:

Since becoming a member of HA, and reading through the posts relating to this issue...both my husband and I wear helmets!

I have to admit, that initially my husband did not want to wear his, but now he will not ride without it...makes me so happy!

Both of us encourage others to use riding helmets...so we want to be a positive role model by always wearing ours.

The loss of this unique and lovely lady is so very sad.

Tonya
Member:
Hally

Posted on Saturday, Nov 11, 2006 - 11:14 am:

I agree helmets are a must! I do dressage and am amazed how many riders refuse to wear helmets. And the leading culprits are the coaches and trainers. If they wore helmets while riding and insisted that their students wear helmets, we would see a lot less head injuries. And also from a legal stand point, I think you would be foolish to teach someone without insisting they wear protective gear.
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Saturday, Nov 11, 2006 - 3:20 pm:

I second the notion to always wear helmets. My husband does not - but rarely rides anymore. My daughter, grandson and I always wear our helmets, and, fortunately I got my friend to wear a helmet when she rode my horse. She had a terrible fall (long story, horse spooked by a deer) and got severely bruised, but, at least she had her helmet on. I have also started to replace my helmet after 4 or 5 years.
So sorry to hear about the tragic loss of a promising young life.
Lilo
Member:
Dr3ssag3

Posted on Sunday, Nov 12, 2006 - 11:03 pm:

I'm another Helmet enthusiast. I suffered from a terrible fall just over 2 years ago and the neurologist said that it was the ONLY thing that saved my life! The young horse I had been riding took off bucking for no understandable reason. I was vaulted up into the air and landed on my upper back/shoulders with my head smacking the hard ground. I had a severe concussion (and a ripped hip flexor), but I was eventually able to recover from my injuries. I had been told that if I had not been wearing my helmet, I would have died on impact. My helmet ended up cracking so badly that it was able to be torn in two...imagine if that was my head!

To those people who feel themselves to be "above" helmets? I say this: No matter how "gifted" or experienced a rider you are, things happen...why risk your very life for the sake of keeping your hair in place or coming off "cool?" I've been riding for the better part of 30 years and I've always been a helmet advocate. The fall I experienced made my convictions even stronger.

Lilo- it's excellent that you bring up the point of replacement, as I fear too few people are aware of the fact that even if you've never suffered from a fall, you should replace your helmet every 4 or 5 years. If you HAVE experienced a fall where your helmet made impact, no matter how seemingly insignificant, you need to replace your helmet. The value of your life easily justifies the extra cost!!!

Sorry if I'm coming off as a bit preachy, but I can't tell you how much I cringe when I see helmetless riders.
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