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  Discussion on Adjustable Riding Helmets for kids - any experience?
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Member:
Lilo

Posted on Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 - 3:32 pm:

Hi all,

I recently purchased a helmet for my daughter, who is in her 30's. The one that fit her the best was one that had only slight adjustments (by adding or removing padding).

Now I want to find a helmet for my 8 year old grandson. Anyone have any experience, good or bad, with the helmets that seem to have a dial or knob to adjust the fit. It would be so nice if it would fit him for a while, in other words, if we could make it larger as he grows.

Thanks in advance for any feedback,
Lilo
Member:
Dres

Posted on Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 - 4:01 pm:

Lilo my understanding re riding helmets is that they need to be replaced every two or so years.. I guess the heat / sun weakens them... and always if one should fall and bounce off ones head / replace it then as it will or can have a weak spot...

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 - 4:35 pm:

Hi Ann,

That means my riding helmet is obsolete already! But if it is the effect of the sun/heat - would it not be related to how often the helmet was exposed to the sun and heat?

Lilo
Member:
Dres

Posted on Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 - 6:55 pm:

I would think it has to do with how long its in the sun as well... but storage might be an issue.. I don't know, they are made out of that Styrofoam type stuff, that does seem to break down pretty quickly...

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 - 6:56 pm:

All the kids use adjustable helmets at the barn where I ride and none have had problems. There is a helmet fitting guide on most sites and in most catalogs to ensure proper fit. It will tell you how to measure his head to determine which size you need...even the adjustable ones fit certain head sizes.
Just make sure, that regardless of the type you use, it's ATSM F1163-04A/SEI certified. Unless you buy a helmet that is just for appearances like the dressage top hat, in most cases, you will be hard pressed to find one that isn't ATSM certified. I would google adjustable helmets...I found a few easily.
Interestingly enough, in relation to the helmet becoming weak in spots, I was reading up on my new Charles Owen and reviews said the helmet has a bubble wrap type cushioning within the lining that pops, to absorb the concussion, when there is a blow to the helmut, thus rending it unsafe to reuse. As a trauma nurse we recommend anyone who wears any type of helmut replace it after a fall...from a horse, motorcycle, bike or otherwise.
Because the integrity of the helmet may be compromised that's also why it's very imperative not to accidentally DrOp your helmet on the ground.
I also use a riding helmut cover in vinyl (like the ones they sell to prevent rain from ruining the velvet ones at shows) to keep it protected from dust in the tack room.

Good luck in your hunt for a helmet for your grandson....

v/r
Corinne Meadows
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 - 11:20 pm:

Just for family use, you can probably get by with any kind of ASTM-SEI certified helmet . . . but if there IS an accident and a lawsuit, I don't know how liability coverage relates to helmet age. I do know that the bike helmets say "only to be used for biking" and the horseback riding helmets say "only to be used for horsemanship activities" or something to that effect. The companies are constantly researching, reworking and updating their equipment.

Insurance-wise and liability-wise, you will want to read the fine print. As far as commercial equine enterprises, the helmets have to be updated every 2-3 years, to ensure that riding camps and programs have the most up-to-date equipment. This discussion is causing me to wonder about the issue of liability coverage when it comes to allowing a student to wear his/her 4-year old helmet when I have more up-to-date ones. It may even get into the issue of proper fit . . . For example, if someone's older helmet fits his/her head better than my up-to-date helmet does (for example, Troxels just don't fit my head correctly, so I always wear a different brand) then would I, as instructor, be found at fault if there is an accident resulting in an injury due to the improper fit of the helmet I provide?
Are there any HA legal experts out there who can clarify this, or anyone who has had experience with an injury related to an improperly fitted helmet?
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Friday, Oct 14, 2005 - 10:10 am:

Ann, Corinne and Holly,

Thanks so much for responding. I am planning to take my grandson to Stateline Tack to have him fitted, so I don't have to measure his head.

I want him to have protection, even if he rides double with his dad! I did know that one has to get a new helmet after a fall.

Thanks,
Lilo
Member:
Canter

Posted on Friday, Oct 14, 2005 - 10:19 am:

I use the Troxel adjustable for my daughter because as a very petite child, it's the only one I can find that will fit her securely. That being said, she's only 4 and has only been on a small pony that's lead around by an adult, so we've had no tumbles off the pony so far. A friend also used an adjustable (not sure which brand) for her slightly older kids--I saw her daughter come off a horse one day and she was fine--the helmet did it's job.

I think fit is essential--a perfect helmet won't do any good if it slides away from the point of impact.

...And yikes! If it's true that they need to be replaced every couple of years, boy, my helmets are obselete too. Call me cheap, but I hate the thought of replacing something that seems to be in perfect working order...
Member:
Lhenning

Posted on Friday, Oct 14, 2005 - 10:28 am:

Lilo,

I don't know about the kids helmets, but I have an adjustable Troxel helmet and I love it. I bought that type because I purchased it off the internet and wasn't exactly sure what size I would be. The instructions included told me exactly how it should feel on my head and I was able to adjust the fit just as they recommended. Once adjusted, it stays that way. It is easy to change using the pads and dial.

It does say in the instructions to replace the helmet if it makes firm contact with the ground. Luckily, that has not happened in my case. I never read anything about sun exposure causing weakness.

Hope that helps.
Linda
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Friday, Oct 14, 2005 - 3:45 pm:

Fran and Linda,
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I have a Troxel for myself, so that was going to be the first brand I wanted to look at.
I just thought that I wanted to hear some experiences before I went helmet shopping - in case there were some indications that the adjustable helmets had some drawbacks that I was not aware of. It does not seem that way.
Thanks again,
Lilo
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