11/7/13

helmets.

Okay, I'm tired of the helmet controversy. Just because I'm in a different saddle occasionally doesn't mean I'm going to put one on. I get the concern and I really do appreciate it and I'm thankful to have people that would worry about me, but here's the thing-Red is far more likely to kick me in the back than throw me on my head. My legs are more likely to get hurt than my head. Why not wear bubble wrap? This is my personal opinion. If I were to go somewhere where it is a law, I will wear one, but I choose not to. Props to you if you wear one.

20 comments:

  1. You're probably going to keep hearing this because you are a kid, and those of us older than you who have fallen off of our saintly horse (yes, just as saintly as your wonderful Red) know better. My biggest injury happened when my trusty old QH tripped while cantering, and yes - I had a helmet on.

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    1. Accidents happen. Yesterday, Red had a 'tude and yes, I know that even deadbroke horses can hurt people. But like I said, my head is a small part of my body. What happens if I get kicked in the back? The helmet won't protect me from that. But like I said, I do appreciate the concern. :)

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  2. Really, it is your own decision whether you want to wear a helmet or not. I always do.

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  3. I have nothing against riding without a helmet. I personally choose to ride with one. It will become more apparent in the future when you are no longer covered by your parents health insurance and when you are responsible for a family that you will need to do everything in your power to try and protect yourself.

    That being said, my parents never wore helmets when they rode. My mother never had any major accidents but my father did break his back off of a horse that took off bucking madly because a plastic bag blew between her legs.

    In the end, it's your choice - you decide what you feel is best for you!

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    1. I totally understand your point of view. I get why people push it so much, I really do, but it's like what happened to your father. If he had been wearing a helmet, would that have saved his back? No, it wouldn't have. Sadly, he'd end up with a broken back either way-and my sympathies go to him, my father has broken his back and it's not a walk in the park.

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  4. I'm 100% with you Kalin! I don't wear a helmet and never will. What I tell people is that if God wants me to die that day then I'll die even if I wear a helmet! :-) Accidents do happen, but I still trust my horse and riding.

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  5. Getting kicked in the back won't force you to be fed through a tube.

    Getting kicked in the back or having your legs get hurt won't cause you to spend the rest of your life hooked up to tubes.

    Funny, I grew up in the west long before there were bike helmets. Or riding helmets. Even twenty years ago when I had a horse that was insane, I had never been exposed to helmets, never wore one, never wanted to. Now. It was the first thing I bought when I got Ashke, even before I was riding him, even before I purchased grooming supplies.

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. $40 seems a small price to pay to be able to use a knife and fork for the rest of your life.

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    1. I disagree with the whole tube thing. One, it could cause you to be paralyzed, have to endure so many surgeries, even become a "potato". The risks may be different but not better or worse.

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    2. You run a much larger risk of BRAIN injury from not wearing a helmet. Or it could kill you. One of the very first things we taught our son was to always wear a helmet. Eating through a tube, being stuck in a bed hooked up to machines is a real consequence of NOT wearing a helmet. My horse tripped stepping up onto a sidewalk and almost fell. Accidents happen and that's why they are called accidents.

      IMO, not wearing a helmet while riding a bike, a horse, or a motorcycle is irresponsible.

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  6. I wear a helmet 99% of the time, anything can happen, even in that 1%. I should wear one when driving, but I don't. I know people that have been riding since they could walk and never wore a helmet that have now gone out and bought helmets to wear when riding, although it's probably age and they know they can't bounce back like they used to. We make all the kids who ride or drive a horse in our circuit shows wear helmets. That said, a helmet is a personal choice as an adult. I won't go around saying anything to people who chose not to wear one, it is up to them.

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  7. It should be up to you. You're experienced enough to know your own strengths and limitations.

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  8. All in all it's your choice. There are horses that I ride with helmets and horses I ride without. All depending on the situation. It only takes one trip or stumble to throw you but that's the risk we take helmet or no helmet. Anything can happen :) As long as you stay safe that's all that matters. I didn't wear a helmet for 5+ years and then put one on for my first ride with B and he threw me. Hit my head, cracked my neck... Haven't ridden without since. Kid? Bah, let the wind flow through my hair! Happy riding!

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    1. I would definitely put one on if I was getting on a nutso horse, hahaha!! In my opinion, the risk is always there, just like there's always a risk that they could just stomp on your back!

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    2. If you are really worried about your back, wear a vest.

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    3. I don't think a vest or helmet, even, could protect me from everything. I respect your opinion, though.

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  9. I respect your choice. I will always advocate for helmets; too many odd things have happened on horseback to me. Only a couple times when I hit my head but I figured if I wasn't wearing a helmet I'd wear a hat so no difference really. I have felt it really rude of those that make fun of helmets; I've actually experienced this! For me it's stacking the deck in my favor. Eventers often go another level and wear those protection vests. Just ride safe and know that if you ever decide you do want to wear a helmet, you shouldn't have to justify it to anyone!!

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    1. My biggest point in this post wasn't to really offend any helmet wearers because I have utmost respect and understanding for what they do and why they do it, but it was the whole thing about justifying it to everyone that bugged me. Honestly, they do things that I feel are unsafe but I don't jab about it, haha!!!

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  10. I myself like wearing a helmet but every once in a while I will go without.

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  11. I agree about not wearing a helmet. Have done it at shows but only cuz it was a requirement. I don't really feel a need in it. Not saying I'm an expert or anything but I've only ever fallen off one horse in all my life. He dumped me at a show once when we were running home from the third barrel. A flat out run and he threw in a buck! I was NOT happy and didn't even have a chance to stay on. I also fell off that horse twice because of MY riding and he was a working cow horse that stopped like everything and turned the same way. But other than him I havn't fallen off. I do ride a good bit too.

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