subject: Horse Riding Hats - Always Remember Safety First [print this page] Horse Riding Hats - Always Remember Safety First
There is nothing like the feeling of exhilaration when you are riding. It represents such a feeling of freedom; just you and the horse and the nature all around you. Indeed, this all feels so natural and "at one with the world," that you could be forgiven for overlooking some fundamental safety considerations. As much fun as this is, it is also an inherently dangerous activity. There is always the chance that you could be thrown, or that the horse could stumble and you could be ejected. You need to take every precaution when it comes to safety and you should select from a list of approved horse riding hats before you even think of jumping into that saddle.Whether you are a beginner, an established rider or someone who participates in competition, you must know the risks involved. The riding hat is probably your first line of defence in case of incident and you should not spare any expense or any effort in finding one which is suitable. Remember that you should wear your riding hat when you're not even actually riding, as whenever you are around your horse, there is the risk of a kick.Today, there are a variety of good riding hats and you should always look for the appropriate certification to help you choose. In the United Kingdom the first thing you should seek out is a British Standards Institute kite mark, or the BSEN 1384 safety tag. Look for a good guarantee from the manufacture, which will indicate how far they stand behind the product, as you will hopefully use the helmet for several years before it needs replacement.Be sure to try on your riding hat for size carefully before you buy. Remember, that it should fit comfortably but should not move at all if you move your head vigorously. It should cover not only the forehead but the back of your head as well and be suitably ventilated to ensure that you are comfortable when riding.Riding hats are not designed to last forever and you should budget to replace them after three years at the most. Also, if you are unlucky enough to sustain a blow to the helmet, you are advised to replace it even though you may not see any visible damage as such. Internally there could be some unseen damage, which would certainly compromise its effectiveness during another incident.Do not be tempted to cut corners and buy a used helmet, or to use somebody else's as you never know what history is attached to that particular item. Horse riding hats have been specifically designed for the purpose and you should not try out any other solution, such as an ice hockey helmet, or a bicycle helmet. Remember that it is your safety, if not your life at stake here, so choose wisely. Riding hats should never be uncomfortable or a nuisance and should neither detract from your enjoyment, or your ability to compete appropriately when on horseback.
