is it time to replace your riding helmet?

Head first. I can relax now Mum's wearing her new helmet!

Unfortunately, a few months back, I discovered the hard way that my riding helmet needed replacing. Well, actually I already knew that, it had been a case of...next week, when I have more money, I'm not doing anything demanding where I'm likely to fall off at the moment..yada yada...

But, of course I should have known better because when you ride horses there's always going to be that 'freak' moment when even a so-called 'bombproof' horse can throw you, which is why I can't get my head round people riding without a helmet on at all.

That also goes for doing groundwork. Personally I think being on the ground when a horse spooks or has a freak out can be one of the most dangerous places to be. Last year, one of my mares got frightened by something behind her when we were in the school as I was preparing to get on and bang! in a split second knocked me to the ground and ran over me.  And don't start tutting and saying...if a horse is well trained, has respect, blah blah, these things shouldn't happen, blah blah. Sorry, but I think with horses there's always that 'one' day, which is why I always wear a helmet now, even doing groundwork.

Anyways, back to the beginning of this story....the supposedly 'Steady Eddie' suddenly decided he didn't want a rider on his back (I'm pretty sure for pain related reasons) and as I tumbled downhill at speed, my hat flew off.  I was lucky, well my head was because the rest of my body bore the brunt of the fall. Months later my muscles are still sore....but it could have been worse - if there's one thing I value it's my mind!

I've also been close to someone who had a fall-related head trauma, fortunately temporary, and it's very distressing; the doctors hadn't warned me that a usually affable person could become moody and suddenly explode at the smallest provocation.

So why did my hat fly off? Well I'd had it for at least a couple of years and it had got a bit looser as they do, but the main problem was the strap which you couldn't tighten up anymore, leaving it swinging way below my chin.

Back home I threw it in the bin, but as an interim fix I thought maybe I could wear one of my old navy velvet helmets which I'd discarded when I'd switched to an all-brown kit for showjumping. I was shocked to discover they were even looser than the one I'd thrown away. Even though the straps could be tightened, the rocking forward and back was so extreme, if the helmet didn't come off, I'm sure it would shift, exposing vulnerable parts of my head, and the peak would probably break my nose!

I determined that my next riding helmet would be chosen for fit first, and looks second.  So, I drove over to a big equestrian store. Unfortunately, the two girls in that department were more interested in chatting and perfecting their air of boredom than helping me out. I tried on a few helmets but nothing felt quite right and I thought-do I really want to put my money and my life in their hands? Neigh, neigh and thrice neigh!

Dressage rider Michael Eilberg wearing a Uvex Helmet with Woodlander Farouche at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Shows can be a really good place to buy a new helmet as you get a really good range to choose from-luckily I had the Royal Windsor coming up.

Now I was so 'fit' conscious I soon learnt that it doesn't matter if you really yearn after a particular brand or model of helmet either because you think it looks cool or it's worn by your favourite rider, chances are it may not be the right one for your head shape. I also want to point out that even different models within a brand will vary in shape and fit. I tried quite a few helmets-mainly peaked- but they all pivoted back and forward if I put both my hands on the helmet and rocked it firmly, and that was when new.

Top of my list was Uvex.  I visited their stand at Badminton Horse Trials last year and not only are they wonderfully light and airy, but their unique fitting system enables the depth and circumference of the helmet to be adjusted. Unfortunately the one that suited me was out of my price bracket at the moment.

Luckily, I eventually found a stand where the guy seemed to really know about fitting helmets, and suggested, for my head shape I should try the Gatehouse HS1 Skull. Success, it felt really secure and the right depth, and as a bonus I think it looks pretty damn hot too!


If you think you need a new helmet, because it doesn't fit very well, it's suffered a direct blow,  or it's over five years old, then there's no time like the present, REPLACE IT!

Saturday July 12th is International Helmet Awareness Day and lots of manufacturers and retailers are taking part, offering discounts and fitting advice-click the pink links to find a place near you. So there's no excuse is there.