shirl62
Well-Known Member
Having had a fall off horse last week and concussion should I replace my hat? The hat does not look damaged but should it be replaced anyway ?
Shirl
Shirl
Do I have to replace my riding hat ?
- Thread starter shirl62
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xgemmax
Well-Known Member
absolutely!!!
PorkChop
Well-Known Member
Ouch! Yes 
FestiveFuzz
Well-Known Member
Yes definitely! You often can't tell when a hat has been damaged by looking at the outside. Some manufacturers actively encourage those that have had a fall to send their hats in for analysis.
Flicker
Well-Known Member
Yes. Hats are designed to absorb the energy from the impact. Even if there is no visible damage the structure may well have been compromised in the fall and will no longer give the proper protection in any subsequent fall.
Buddy'sMum
Well-Known Member
I would, yes.
eggs
Well-Known Member
I think you know the answer to that one.
Friend of mine is a radiographer and she x-rayed the hat of another friend after she had had a fall and landed on her head. The hat looked fine but the x-ray showed a different story.
Friend of mine is a radiographer and she x-rayed the hat of another friend after she had had a fall and landed on her head. The hat looked fine but the x-ray showed a different story.
Kat_Bath
Well-Known Member
Yes.
I had a fall on sand and hit my head and there was visible damage to the outside. Turns out, the damage to the inside was worse. I sent it to Champion to pick apart and they sent me back photos and a report of their findings. The upshot is, although the damage on the outside looked relatively minor and there wasn't even a hint when you looked inside the hat, the main polystyrene body of the hat was crushed to a point where there was under half of it left. At the back, it would have been 20mm when new and it had been crushed down to 9mm and at the bottom, it would have been 20mm when new and was 11mm after the impact.
It was really interesting to see. Although a bit scary because it was a nasty fall but compared to some, it was "just" a bang to the head. However, if I had been wearing that hat in that state and fallen in it, I would have been seriously injured, if not worse, because the hat had been damaged to such an extent.
Get a new hat. You only have one head.
I had a fall on sand and hit my head and there was visible damage to the outside. Turns out, the damage to the inside was worse. I sent it to Champion to pick apart and they sent me back photos and a report of their findings. The upshot is, although the damage on the outside looked relatively minor and there wasn't even a hint when you looked inside the hat, the main polystyrene body of the hat was crushed to a point where there was under half of it left. At the back, it would have been 20mm when new and it had been crushed down to 9mm and at the bottom, it would have been 20mm when new and was 11mm after the impact.
It was really interesting to see. Although a bit scary because it was a nasty fall but compared to some, it was "just" a bang to the head. However, if I had been wearing that hat in that state and fallen in it, I would have been seriously injured, if not worse, because the hat had been damaged to such an extent.
Get a new hat. You only have one head.
shirl62
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone...Knew the answer to my own question really..especially when I do have some small bits of my skull missing from previous neurosurgery..No brainer really..Duh..I can be so stupid...
Any recommendations for a replacement hat?
Shirl
Any recommendations for a replacement hat?
Shirl
poacher82
Well-Known Member
http://www.bhs.org.uk/our-charity/p...-jun-2016/discount-on-replacement-riding-hats
Send your damaged hat to the BHS to receive a discount on a new one from Townfield Saddlers - they'll use the old one for research purposes.
Hope you're feeling better, concussion is not fun!
Send your damaged hat to the BHS to receive a discount on a new one from Townfield Saddlers - they'll use the old one for research purposes.
Hope you're feeling better, concussion is not fun!
CrazyMare
Well-Known Member
The one that fits, is comfy and you will willingly wear. No point in a beautiful hat that is so uncomfortable that you don't want to wear it!
Amye
Well-Known Member
Always replace your hat after a fall where you hit your head! I would replace a hat that's been dropped from a height too - doesn't have to be a fall.
For hats, I would go to an equestrian shop and get one fitted, it's always best to make sure it fits correctly.
For hats, I would go to an equestrian shop and get one fitted, it's always best to make sure it fits correctly.
Kezzabell2
Well-Known Member
of course, if you've knocked you're head, its not worth the risk of having a weakened hat!! you might end up with more than concussion next time.......
GirlFriday
Well-Known Member
IIRC OP is a new-ish rider. So, yes, do replace hat as everyone has said but also... get ready to replace it 6 more times: I was always told you have to come off 7 times before you can be a rider!
Edited to add: obviously that isn't recommended practice, just what I was told as an adult beginner!
Edited to add: obviously that isn't recommended practice, just what I was told as an adult beginner!
shirl62
Well-Known Member
I do hope that the next 6 potential falls will be a bit less painful!
dixie
Well-Known Member
I fell off and got concussion with a Samshield hat on. I sent it back to Samshield who checked it for me and returned safe to continue to ride in.
Dubsie
Well-Known Member
One that fits really well (get it fitted by a good fitter) and is a really good quality eg PROtector - with bits of skull missing you really need to be sure it's a good one in case you need it.
Sukistokes2
Well-Known Member
Hope your feeling better!!