The HELMET in the Tack and Habit Shoppe’s motto, “From Helmet to Hoof"
Whether you ride English or Western, whether you are a beginner or a professional, whether you're a man or a woman, you should always wear an equestrian helmet that meets ASTM standards and is SEI certified. Period.
It is inconceivable that anyone riding at our facility would do so without wearing a helmet. That is the case at any professional equestrian facility and a requirement that is widely enforced on showgrounds and anywhere professional standards are followed. That said, what type of helmet and what standards it may or may not meet, should be the next question.
Helmets have not always been part of the equestrian scene. And at first, headgear while mounted was purely a fashion statement. It was not until the early 20th century that safety began to overtake the fashion element of equestrian “hats,” now clearly helmets.
Edward Beckett, 5th Baron Grimthorpe and others at Royal Ascot, 2012
Perhaps the longest two weeks that I can remember was when my husband, sent to pick up our horsey daughter from the stable, was met by the stable owner with a report that said daughter was seen riding bareback and WITHOUT A HELMET. The chips fell quickly with a two weeks' no horse punishment. When meted out, I’m quite sure it was meant to punish our daughter. While it clearly did that, and she was NEVER AGAIN seen on horseback without her helmet, the punishment was also ours to bear. If you don’t understand that, you don’t have a horsey daughter (or son) – the type that can barely survive a day without her/his horse, let alone two weeks.
Equestrian helmets have come a long way since their inception as safety devices, and today’s much higher standards for safety also bring higher prices. But there is just no substitute for a helmet that meets multiple safety standards, and the safety is well worth the cost. When new riders, or even experienced riders, ask about purchasing a helmet, the first thing I usually say is the helmet is the place to spend money. Forego that rhinestone studded bridle or fancy clothing if you must, but buy a good helmet.
The internet has provided a wealth of information on helmet safety standards. One that I recommend is https://www.charlesowen.com/standards
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All Charles Owen helmets are approved and most have triple standards, PAS015, VG1 and ASTM. This allows our riding hats to deal with a higher number of horse riding accidents.
www.charlesowen.com
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We carry Charles Owen helmets and have a trained salesforce to help you find the right fit.