Do you wear a hat hacking?

Hell yeah!!!

Few years back a TB i was loaning went up and over on a hill on a concrete road, i smashed my head and actually felt very dizzy when i got up (finally) aswell as several other injuries thankfully minor, but still hurt like hell. Hat was damaged too, thankfully it wasnt my head
Hate to think what would of happened minus a hat!!!
 
i just wonder would it be some kind of bravado for not wearing a hat? my instructor frequently get on to the horses and show me how to do things without wearing a hat. ok. it's true that she knows all the horses and in a relatively safe environment (in the indoor school, etc). well, i would like to think most people in this forum would agree wearing a hat hacking is a necessity...
 
Yes, actually I do think it should be the law. Like seatbelts.

And I know it is all about choice yada yada but I think hats should be mandatory everywhere on horseback no matter....
 
I always wear one. Did see someone hacking down the road without one the other day though.

I may well get my horrendously white legs out later and ride him in the school bareback in shorts and trainers and strap top but I will wear a hat.
 
Always, never a question for me. Since having brain surgery and seeing people with head injuries in hospital I feel more strongly about it than ever. It is such a precious delicate part of the body and has a massive job to do.

I can't understand why people wouldn't wear a hat. Maybe spending time in a hospital, rehab unit or with someone with a head injury would give them the chance to rethink.
 
Always, whenever I'm on any horse.

I'm a massive worrier though and am always coming up with scary "what if" scenarios :)

I'd love to get a photo of me on my lad bareback with no hat on so I look semi decent but don't dare actually do it (even though he'd probably just fall asleep) because it would just be my luck that that would be the one and only day in his life where he'd have a massive spook at something and go broncing off round the field :rolleyes:

It always boggles my mind when I hear of people riding without hats on, I could cope with broken arms or legs etc but not a broken head!
 
Always! In 37 years I think I have only ever ridden once without a hat - and that was a 5 minute sit on my cob - I didn't feel safe at all, and got off!

My sister lives in Brunei and she rides at the local polo club - they insist she wears a hat and a body protector to ride - in 35degree heat!
 
I think it should be law for hats to be worn when on public highway or bridlepaths. Not for on private land.
I also think the same for cyclists but as previously said i have worked on head injuries units and seen the state that people are in, sadly tho the one who doesn't wear a hat is generally clueless its those who love them who are the true victims, as they see the person they once knew as a completely different person.
 
I always wear mine, only time i havent is on a section A (no far to fall:p) for no more than 10 minutes. It was bareback and usually just up to the feild.

I would of thought hacking is the most important time because you cant control what your going to run into ect.
 
Only time in my 15 years riding that I didn't wear a hat, I fell off. Haven't done it again xD Learned my lesson.

Was in America and they didn't require you to wear a hat, it was absolutely boiling and I thought what the hey, i'm only going for a calm trail ride. Was very calm until horse spooked, went down onto it's knees and I shot over his shoulder. Poor woman from the stables was convinced I was going to sue xD I'm just very lucky that much experience of falling off naughty ponies taught me to "fall properly", so I tucked my head in quick out of the way.
 
Always. IMO its selfish to ride w/o hat. those that do are disregarding any responsibility they have towards horse/family who will no doubt have to cope with one act of selfishness and pick up the pieces.
I'm afraid I'm the same over HiViz but that's another thread!:D
 
Whenever I am astride an equine, no matter thirty seconds or eight hours, I wear a hat. Not any hat, but a decent and fitted riding hat. Full Stop. Never ever without.
 
Why wouldn't you. I've been out hacking this morning, it was 24°, i didn't consider taking my hat off because it was making my head sweat.
 
Yep. You might have (or think you have) control over your horse but accidents happen and sadly you have no control over other road users. My only hacking accident was due to an idiot driver ploughing straight into me, nothing I could have done...
 
I know that it's unusual to ride without them on the continent and in the US and Australia, but I would never, EVER, get on Kali without a hat on my head. I am still gimpy from breaking my pelvis last summer - I know I was out cold after that fall - and I don't want to think about where I'd be now had I not been wearing a hat (and that was in the school/on a decent surface). If I am getting on my horse, there is a suitable hat on my head. End of.

P
 
QR - I always wear one following a bad fall while having a 15 minute exercise in the school one evening on a lazy pony who took fright and fell on me and put a huge dent in my hat. I'd like to think I'll never get on a horse without one (even bareback)
 
I always wear a hat when riding. On Tuesday i fell off about 40 seconds into a hack and my head flopped back on to the ground, gave me concussion and the hat had a crack right through the thickness of it. Pretty sure I would not be typing this now if I had not been wearing it!!
 
I always ride in one.

Was browsing horses for sale the other day ,and there was a lady hunting in a beagler!Like.. big ,wide hedges/fences. Madness. I wish I had her bravery.

Some women local to us were crossing a little bridge/bridleway, horse spooked, slipped, and needed ambulances.. I agree- every horse can stumble, spook or be hurt.

Also ,I have a query... I have enough issues staying on my horse when he goes a bit silly with a saddle..! Why do people think that it's more acceptable to have no saddle, thus no hat? When i'm bareback, I wear more protective equipment that usual!
 
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