Charles Owen Riding hat - should I replace it after a fall

[Cavallo]

I was chucked off 2 weeks ago in the outdoor sand school. I fell backwards, landing on my head and hips, and despite wearing my Charles Owen AYR8 hat http://www.charlesowen.co.uk/en/products/ridinghats/list.php?p=91
I suffered a very bad concussion, the effects of which have lasted over 2 weeks (migraine, blind spots, dizziness, nausea, lethargy, trouble thinking, memory problems etc). I thought the hat should have protected me from the impact of the fall?...anyway, I am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience...how long did the symptoms last? Should I replace my hat immediately? I've written an email to the company to enquire about what to do, but they haven't responded...there doesn't seem to be any noticeable physical damage to the hat.

 

[CrazyMare]

Without a doubt replace your hat.

It HAS absorbed the impact - the concussion you have now will be reduced compared to the damage you would be suffering had you not been wearing a hat.

Throw that hat away. Replace it with a new, properly fitted hat. You won't always see damage to a hat, but it WILL have damage

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Without a second thought, replace replace replace!!! A hat should always be replaced after taking impact especially if you have been concussed.
In answer to your question, I had a fall off my mare around 8 months ago - she reared up at something that spooked her, I fell off and took the impact to my head and neck (I was told that I blacked out for a few seconds). I was suffering from headaches, aches and pains and nausea and was bruised for around 3 weeks - definitely go to your GP just for piece of mind!
And throw the hat - treat yourself to a shiny new one (and hope you have a quick recovery)!

 

[Mari]

YES replace immediately

 

[Booboos]

Definately replace the hat! If you feel bad now imagine how much worse it would have been if the hat had not absorbed the impact!!!

My horse tripped and fell sideways on the road and I (obviously) fell with him, I knocked myself out and ended up in A&E. Luckily it was no worse than a concussion, but I had to spend two weeks on the sofa sleeping it off!

I assume you've seen a doctor who has given you the all clear? If not, go to a doctor asap, head injuries can be really serious!

Glad you weren't badly hurt!

 

[YorksG]

Of course you should replace your hat, before you get on a horse again! It has absorbed the impact and will be distorted whether you can see it or not. Also please make sure that you deliberately damage the outer shell before you get rid of it so that no one can be tempted to use it, or to try and sell it on.

 

[Bab]

You most probably already are but please make sure you're currently under the care of your GP and he/she is being regularly kept up to date with your symptoms? In your situation I would push for an urgent referral to a neurologist who will do a full physical exam and assessment and may/may not advise an MRI scan just to be safe. At the very least see GP as soon as possible, they will give you an urgent appointment if you describe your symptoms and how they came about. A trip to casualty would also not be inappropriate, they will bump you to the top of the triage list if you describe what has happened.

(MRIs are great - there is no radiation risk unlike a CT and they are incredibly detailed. The only bad part is having to lie still in a slightly claustrophobic environment for about half an hour - but they will put on a CD of your choice!)

 

[Cavallo]

Thanks for your advice everyone, I'll be doing some online shopping tomorrow! Good tip from YorksG about damaging the outer shell as well...to prevent others from re-using it.
I did go to A&E the day of the accident, as I had a blinding headache, and big blind spots in my visual field, I couldn't see faces of people. They only did a CT scan, but didn't tell me what to expect over the coming days (worsening headaches, swelling of the brain etc)...I wish they had warned me. As things got worse, I was actually too poorly to go back to A&E, I live alone so there wasn't anyone to help...it's now two weeks later, and since yesterday I have started to feel better, the headaches have mostly resolved.
I've been reading up online, and also read that you shouldn't leave a riding hat in a hot car, or conversely in a cold car in freezing weather...as it can damage the styrofoam inside. Oooops. My hat has been in the car in a hat bag since July 2009, through hot and cold extremes, which might have affected it

Anyway, I'm off to buy a new hat...recommendations anyone? I'll also be buying a Racesafe RS 2000 body protector.

 

[CrazyMare]

Anyway, I'm off to buy a new hat...recommendations anyone? I'll also be buying a Racesafe RS 2000 body protector.

Er go get one fitted! Don't bother buying online, just go to a saddler with a good variety to try on.

 

[wishaway]

Hi Cavallo
I agree, replace your hat, have you seen the article about Ollie Townend's hat? There was hardly a scratch on it but the padding had been reduced from 21mm to 13mm I think. Anyway replace and do it in person not over the internet as you need to make sure it fits properly so need to have a properly trained fitter do it.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Quote 'trouble thinking' quote

Obviously

Seriously, I'm glad you're beginning to feel better but yes, do replace your hat.

 

[Bab]

Wonderful that you're feeling better. If you do feel rotten again to the point you can't get to GP, don't hesitate to call an ambulance/call the out of hours GP service. It's quite often the person who is reluctant to put others out who is most in need!

Regarding hat safety - it should be kitemarked, and there are all sorts of safety standards instigated by the investigations commissioned by the Mark Davies Injured Rider Fund in 2003. A hat, I think, doesn't need to conform to all this list of current standards, so perhaps you can select one with the maximum: http://betauk.org/Safety/HatStandards.asp

Apparently there are also ENHAP test results which rank hats according to safety but I haven't been able to dig them up... perhaps someone has a link to this info?

Finally, if you are concerned that your hat didn't do its job (though not ideal that it suffered across temperature gradients from being in your car, I don't believe this should have severely impacted on its level of protection) then I should get in contact with BETA UK http://betauk.org/ who might like to see the hat and test it. Though unlikely, there is a possibility it didn't come up to scratch in the first place and may have been a bad one in a batch. Again a remote likelyhood, but possible nonetheless. I would be wary if CO asked for it back, even if they offered a replacement.