I do not endorse riding with your intelligence full of scared images of falling off or meeting with some other sort of accident. I subscribe to the concept you can entice providence, and if you do so , providence is going to let itself be enticed.

All of that does not always mean, though, that you shouldn’t take precautions of the kind that will allow you to ride with a tension-free mind.

Precautions means getting your horse and yourself as accident-proof as you can. It suggests going through a pre-ride check list that covers items like condition of tack items, snugness of fit on pony, clothing sported by rider and the like. Talking about clothing sported by the rider, you’ll want to make it a routine to ride only with the proper riding boots or heeled paddock boots, not with the latest product in tennis shoes. You will also wish to ride with attire on that will not snag on any of the tack and a snug helmet.

I’ve known plenty of western riders to keep away from wearing helmets. It is simply not in perfect harmony with the “macho” picture of the western man. I myself took a long while to choose wearing one. Before I started wearing helmets regularly on ordinary rides, the only times I sported a helmet was at English hunter and dressage shows. I once found helmets hot, uncomfortable and expensive. I also found them most less than suitable from the viewpoint of fashion. In my early days, I didn’t bother reading much about riding injuries and how they might be prevented.

We no longer live in those times. More sense is prevailing nowadays. Developments like the internet have helped hugely, because info is now available freely and instantly on the high prevalence of head injuries in riding accidents. It goes without saying that head wounds afflict riders without helmet the most, and the level of experience of the rider doesn’t appear to make much difference. While fractured bones can be set and be corrected, though at the price of some time, head wounds can be far harder and can cause severe life-long difficulties.

Since I became aware about the benefits of wearing helmets while riding, I have taken some interest in horse riding accidents. I have come across plenty of folk, essentially I personally am one of them, who got direct hits on their heads while riding without helmets. I have also learned that the occurrence of significant head injuries is radically reduced when helmets enter the picture.

Because you are an expert pony rider doesn’t suggest you can successfully avoid falls. Horses can stumble or slip unexpected and tumble with their riders. They can also buck suddenly at some possible threat that suddenly turns up in their paths. I had a buddy who snagged her leg on a vine while riding and was dragged off as her unknowing pony kept going forward. Though she first landed on her buttocks, momentum took her down all the way and she banged her head on the ground. She was fortunate to get away with mild concussion and mild internal bleeding that hospitalised her for over 3 weeks. She had to keep away from work for some considerable time, Her incident give her limited absentmindedness, and she suffered the fate that makes most devoted pony riders shudder: she couldn’t bear the idea of riding a pony any more.

Helmets are no longer boring affairs of the same standard shape. They come in a massive array of looks, designs, cost and comfort. They are so well designed re ventilation they’re basically cooler than hats. They also protect the rider from the sun and from the most likely serious sequences of a fall. You should opt for helmets that are ASTM/SEI authorized. These helmets come in a stunning variety of colours and designs. They’ve a lot of covering, and are available for specific head configurations and dimensions.

When you take the right precautions, items like helmets comprise an asset you can use for a long time to come.

Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about tack room