cloudandmatrix
Well-Known Member
wow. i havnt heard this much **** since cloud decided to **** in the new lorry. but eAch to there own eh
Hat or no hat? That is the question.....
- Thread starter bahumbug
- Start date
wow. i havnt heard this much **** since cloud decided to **** in the new lorry. but eAch to there own eh
Jake10
Well-Known Member
Hat I don't care if I look silly but I do confess that I don't wear a body protector (I do own one) and haven't for the last 16 years mainly because it feels restricting and uncomfortable (it is properly fitted I just don't like the feel of it) 
Laur
Well-Known Member
So why are you wearing a hat in both the pictures in your signature then if you say you never wear them for flat work? Unless you jump in a dressage saddle or thats not you...
1life
...
[
unless you have never drunk, smoked, been overweight, exceeded the speed limit and always ride in a body protector, and wear a hat for ALL activites round horses, i dont think you can preach-you make your risk assesment and i make mine. thus far my risk assesment has been accurate, iv never had an *oh***** moment and wished id put a hat on.and iv been riding hatless for over ten years, so either iv got hundreds of lives, or what im doing (flatwork, on a perfect surface, on a quiet yard) is not that high risk.[/QUOTE]
But if you did drink or smoke etc most days then you would be putting your health at risk.
So yes, it is personal choice, but it is a risk you are choosing to take each time. As such, with any risk, everyone hopes it will not become the reality.
Personally, I wear a hat every time and would advise anyone else to. I won't let my 10 year old daughter ride without one, so I have to follow my own advise.
unless you have never drunk, smoked, been overweight, exceeded the speed limit and always ride in a body protector, and wear a hat for ALL activites round horses, i dont think you can preach-you make your risk assesment and i make mine. thus far my risk assesment has been accurate, iv never had an *oh***** moment and wished id put a hat on.and iv been riding hatless for over ten years, so either iv got hundreds of lives, or what im doing (flatwork, on a perfect surface, on a quiet yard) is not that high risk.[/QUOTE]
But if you did drink or smoke etc most days then you would be putting your health at risk.
So yes, it is personal choice, but it is a risk you are choosing to take each time. As such, with any risk, everyone hopes it will not become the reality.
Personally, I wear a hat every time and would advise anyone else to. I won't let my 10 year old daughter ride without one, so I have to follow my own advise.
the watcher
Well-Known Member
I have ridden hatless, and may well do so again in the future in some circumstances (and I would consider wearing a hat without strap to be effecively hatless)
Most of the time I wear a hat to ride, handling most horses, etc because my yard requires me to do so.
Most of the time I wear a hat to ride, handling most horses, etc because my yard requires me to do so.
ISHmad
Well-Known Member
I wear a hat every time I ride and for when doing groundwork with our youngster. Love my life, my family, my horses, my friends and want to do all I can to remain on this earth with them for as long as possible. If I got killed through something as stupid as not wearing a riding hat that would be so hard for my loved ones to take.
Prince33Sp4rkle
Well-Known Member
"So why are you wearing a hat in both the pictures in your signature then if you say you never wear them for flat work? Unless you jump in a dressage saddle or thats not you... "
errr, because one is from the warm up at a show, and the other is during a lesson at a yard that requires hats to be worn. at home, and at the other trainers yard i dont wear one.your point is???!!!!
errr, because one is from the warm up at a show, and the other is during a lesson at a yard that requires hats to be worn. at home, and at the other trainers yard i dont wear one.your point is???!!!!
BritishGroom
New User
wow. i havnt heard this much **** since cloud decided to **** in the new lorry. but eAch to there own eh
care to have an effective imput?
spacefaer
Well-Known Member
It's not a discussion actually.
It comes across as a lot of self righteous people glorying in how sensible and responsible they are and taking delight in patronising those people who chose, as adults, to do things differently.
The same attitude is evinced when any discussion of hi-viz clothing or back protectors comes up, or indeed when anything other than the "norm" of the majority is shown.
As I said, I choose which horses I ride hatless, I choose the situations in which I do it. End of.
Lanky Loll
Well-Known Member
Hat - my head feels too light without it 
Although my brother doesn't always - despite having been diagnosed as having a thin skull when he was younger (he'd get concussed if you rapped him on the head with your knuckles let alone fell off his pony and wasn't allowed to play rugby at school as he was too much of an injury risk
). And he always gets grief from me when he leaves it off.
Also - one of the most dramatic bits of video we have of me back in the day, was riding a friends pony (she was off with a broken leg, done tripping over a bit of string
). He was being a little git in the ring at Harwood Hall (don't know if the venue still exists ??) flybucking and napping. He flybucked headbutted the H-iron pillar, my head hit the pillar and it pushed me back on Yes it was a competition and I was wearing a hat anyway so I was alright but if I hadn't been then I dread to think what would have happened.
Although my brother doesn't always - despite having been diagnosed as having a thin skull when he was younger (he'd get concussed if you rapped him on the head with your knuckles let alone fell off his pony and wasn't allowed to play rugby at school as he was too much of an injury risk
). And he always gets grief from me when he leaves it off.Also - one of the most dramatic bits of video we have of me back in the day, was riding a friends pony (she was off with a broken leg, done tripping over a bit of string
). He was being a little git in the ring at Harwood Hall (don't know if the venue still exists ??) flybucking and napping. He flybucked headbutted the H-iron pillar, my head hit the pillar and it pushed me back on Yes it was a competition and I was wearing a hat anyway so I was alright but if I hadn't been then I dread to think what would have happened.
Cavblacks
Well-Known Member
Hat.
Always.
In Tuscany last year my ex and I went for a hack over the mountains, the guy that ran the yard threw me on a 14hh gorgeous American Pony and signaled for us to follow.
I sat there going "Im missing something" but couldnt for the life of me think what until we got off the yard and i scratched my head. head? head - hair? HAT?!?! ARGH
Ex was like "who cares we're on holiday" I was like "exactly, I dont know this horse and oh look main road ahead!!"
Guy wouldnt turn round as he said he didnt have one to give me, but didnt go above trot the whole ride and it lost some of the enjoyment for me as with a hat on I would have been so much more relaxed.
Always.
In Tuscany last year my ex and I went for a hack over the mountains, the guy that ran the yard threw me on a 14hh gorgeous American Pony and signaled for us to follow.
I sat there going "Im missing something" but couldnt for the life of me think what until we got off the yard and i scratched my head. head? head - hair? HAT?!?! ARGH
Ex was like "who cares we're on holiday" I was like "exactly, I dont know this horse and oh look main road ahead!!"
Guy wouldnt turn round as he said he didnt have one to give me, but didnt go above trot the whole ride and it lost some of the enjoyment for me as with a hat on I would have been so much more relaxed.
Thelwell_Girl
Well-Known Member
Biggest load of crapola I've ever heard!
Cavblacks - You're made of sterner stuff than me! I still shiver whenever I think about the one time I 'rode' without a hat. I was trying out vaulting, was wearing jeggings and dolly shoes, and got lifted onto a 17hh+ Percheron. Yes there was an experienced girl to hold me on. Heck, the horse didnt move above a very ploddy walk. There was seemingly no way on earth I could fall off... Yet, I wasn't wearing a helmet. NEVER again!
^^This!
soot
Well-Known Member
I used to ride without a hat before I moved to the UK. Just wasn't the done thing when I was a kid. Even in my RS we often didn't wears hats to hack out (!) and RI never wore a hat (and also always had a cigarette between her lips -- even over a course of fences, but I digress). On holiday treks in France, Portugal, Russia, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc, hats were never offered and it never crossed my mind to ask for one.
After moving to the UK I quite happily started hat wearing even though had to be reminded often at the beginning. I get more headaches that I used to and I find the summer a bit sweaty but it's rarely as hot here as back home so I can live with it. Would never ride without now, it's become second nature and you rarely see riders without hats around here even I don't think I've ever seen anyone hacking on the downs without!
After moving to the UK I quite happily started hat wearing even though had to be reminded often at the beginning. I get more headaches that I used to and I find the summer a bit sweaty but it's rarely as hot here as back home so I can live with it. Would never ride without now, it's become second nature and you rarely see riders without hats around here even I don't think I've ever seen anyone hacking on the downs without!
ironhorse
Well-Known Member
Yeah that's an interesting one. I used to hunt side saddle and started out in a bowler hat, but I wanted to be able to jump, and didn't want to be thinking 'shall I or shan't I ?'
I bought a nice velvet hat with flesh straps and always hunted in that. I actually only fell off once, when the horse stopped at the very last minute at a hedge. Although I landed mostly in the hedge, the hat was trashed. My head was fine (shame about my damaged neck liagaments
)That said, I school at home in a Champion ventair as I mainly ride when there's no one else around ad you never know..), which is so comfy I (choose it over my Stetson on a hot day now. But the stetson's the order of the day for competing still....if I didn't feel safe on our current horse it might be different, she can be naughty at home but is pretty angelic at shows. If we get a youngster this year, I might be in the Champion for a season or two.
Brandy
Well-Known Member
I agree. Also it is highly irresponsible for anyone particularly someone in the public eye, to advocate not wearing a hat. Even if that is your personal preferance, you should not be making it 'ok' for others to follow your foolish lead. You have a responsability of care to people who might look up to you.
I have on occasions not work a hat, years ago now. In fact I learnt to ride with a hat without a chin strap but again, that was many many years ago.
I was horrified to see a man ride down our lane on a very fired up horse, prancing and spooking all over the place, wearing no hat. Idiot.
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Brandy
Well-Known Member
The thing that bothers me about other people not wearing a hat is that if (if) they fall off, and crack their skulls open, get trodden on whatever, someone, somewhere will have to 'pick up the pieces'
Its the same as when you get overtaken by a dangerously idiotic driver, I have to say if I went round a corner and found them in a crash, it would pi$$ me off big time. Yes of course I would help but why should I be made responsible for someone else actions?
Its the same as when you get overtaken by a dangerously idiotic driver, I have to say if I went round a corner and found them in a crash, it would pi$$ me off big time. Yes of course I would help but why should I be made responsible for someone else actions?
Laur
Well-Known Member
Maybe you should have been more specific then! So you do sometimes wear a hat for flatwork, never was not quite the right word to use!!
becca92
New User
There is no question. Always, always, always a hat.
I genuinely cannot believe people are stupid enough to ride often without a hat. How much effort is it, really, to simply lift a hat and place it on your head? Don't tell me you're that lazy. There is absolutely no reason why anybody should be riding without a hat, and absolutely no excuse if something happens. There's a reason why hats are compulsory at events and in riding schools etc. They save your life. I can't tell you how many times I personally or friends and aquaintances have been saved from death by wearing a hat. If you died or suffered brain damage imagine the effects that would have on not only your life, but your friends and family. I wouldn't like to be the person to cause them suffering and grief, which could have been avoided by simply placing a hat on my head when I rode.
Sorry if I come across blunt, but it really angers me.
I genuinely cannot believe people are stupid enough to ride often without a hat. How much effort is it, really, to simply lift a hat and place it on your head? Don't tell me you're that lazy. There is absolutely no reason why anybody should be riding without a hat, and absolutely no excuse if something happens. There's a reason why hats are compulsory at events and in riding schools etc. They save your life. I can't tell you how many times I personally or friends and aquaintances have been saved from death by wearing a hat. If you died or suffered brain damage imagine the effects that would have on not only your life, but your friends and family. I wouldn't like to be the person to cause them suffering and grief, which could have been avoided by simply placing a hat on my head when I rode.
Sorry if I come across blunt, but it really angers me.
cariad
Well-Known Member
I agree that a hat will not protect you 100% in all cases; it is to an extent a matter of fate how and where you fall-look at Superman. Neither will body protectors, however good. But it will reduce the risk of serious injury. It may be your personal choice not to wear a hat, but it is not your family's choice to either personally catheterise you, manually evacuate your bowels, change your nappies, suck out your tracheostomy, get up to turn you 6 times a night or deal with the bedsores if they don't, clean out your feeding tube, wipe up the dribble etc etc when you have brain damage, or shell out vast quantities of money to get someone else to do it if it's your own fault and there's no-one at fault from whom to claim compensation. That's the reality of the consequences. With good quality care, people with brain damage can live long and (relatively) healthy lives, but I can't think it's any fun for anyone. I think Emma Hindle would find rather more than her eczema irritated if she fell the wrong way without a hat! (last week's H&H).
stacey-tipplehill
New User
^^^ totally agree!!!
cloudandmatrix
Well-Known Member
oh im sorry- i was simply stating i thought your patiicular post was a bunch of **** , which pretty much summed up how i feel, but i will say my bit. i am not stupid of selfish enough to get on a horse without a hat.
i dont want my family to have to pick up the pieces of my stupid actions. i dont get why you wouldnt were one tbh. apart fro,m getting a sweaty head- but i would rather have a sweaty head than no head, thanks.
Prince33Sp4rkle
Well-Known Member
sorry, didnt think id have to point out that i wear a hat at shows!!!!!!
as for lessons-yes i do wear it if asked, so once a month.
out of choice i never wear a hat for flatowok, is that clear enough for you?! not that it makes any difference at all, as everyone has to wear one at shows and like i said, through choice i would not wear it for lessons either.
splitting hairs much?!
as for lessons-yes i do wear it if asked, so once a month.
out of choice i never wear a hat for flatowok, is that clear enough for you?! not that it makes any difference at all, as everyone has to wear one at shows and like i said, through choice i would not wear it for lessons either.
splitting hairs much?!
MissMincePie&Brandy
Well-Known Member
Hat!
I'd probably be dead or worse if I hadn't have been wearing my hat after the fall I had last week. I landed on my head on rock hard ground off a 17.2 horse who suddenly and unexpectedly erupted, out of the blue into a massive bronking fit, because he'd been bitten by a horsefly.
I had a skull on, but still became concussed, had a sever headache for 3 days and have bruising on my nose.
If I hadn't had the hat on ..... ???????
I'd probably be dead or worse if I hadn't have been wearing my hat after the fall I had last week. I landed on my head on rock hard ground off a 17.2 horse who suddenly and unexpectedly erupted, out of the blue into a massive bronking fit, because he'd been bitten by a horsefly.
I had a skull on, but still became concussed, had a sever headache for 3 days and have bruising on my nose.
If I hadn't had the hat on ..... ???????
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cloudandmatrix
Well-Known Member
can i also say that it doesnt make you a big clever "natural risk taker" by not wearing a hat. it just makes you an idiot
the watcher
Well-Known Member
It should be possible, I think, to discuss or debate issues without resorting to name calling - no matter how strongly you may feel on the subject
dressager
Well-Known Member
Wow this hat issue just keeps re-appearing!
I haven't fallen off a horse for nearly 15 years but I still wear a hat. I have had horses trip and fall over with me, mine reared and slipped over once, some of the horses I've ridden are a bit loopy and have got other people off (my 6'+ trainer! My legs are only half the length!)
Riding is a leisure activity whereas driving is essential. I would hope my family would be more sympathetic if I was involved in a RTA...
I haven't fallen off a horse for nearly 15 years but I still wear a hat. I have had horses trip and fall over with me, mine reared and slipped over once, some of the horses I've ridden are a bit loopy and have got other people off (my 6'+ trainer! My legs are only half the length!)
Riding is a leisure activity whereas driving is essential. I would hope my family would be more sympathetic if I was involved in a RTA...
Saucisson
Well-Known Member
Noooooooo! Not the great hat debacle debate again! Let it lie down, slowly groan, roll over and die please!
This guy might be:
1/ A surgeon/anesthetist who may one day be responsible for treating your broken neck when you fell off your horse (whilst wearing your hat).
2/ A soldier who has just returned from dodging bullets in Afghanistan and doesn't quite have the same attitude to personal safety.
3/ Some random bloke who probably doesn't deserve being labeled as “stupid” just because he chose not to wear his hard hat.
Come on people, get a grip, some wear em and some don't, there's much more important things in life to be getting stressed about. (FWIW I used to see a guy regularly riding without his shirt on – I had no problems with that at all, he was HOT).
Also, because it's Friday and I'm feeling a bit contentious, what is more likely to result in hospitilisation; riding in a school on a trusted horse without a hat or participating in cross-country/racing/polo/hunting/point-to-point/hurdling with all the safety gear?
Also, how much protection from a brain injury does a hard hat actually offer? I wear mine to protect against my head splitting open but I was under the impression that brain injuries generally result from the ole grey matter being shaken around/walloped too much? I stand to be corrected (with information please and not opinion based on one experience in life or indoctrination).
I seem to remember my insurance company didn't give a monkey's whether I wore the right equipment or not, only whether I was competing.
Let's ban all horse sports – why should the NHS pay for such tomfoolery (tongue firmly in cheek there)
PS Hang in there Prince33 Sp4rkle, the only people who normally respond to these posts (as with high-vis) are ardent hard-hat wearers – it generally isn't very balanced because the people who don't probably can't be bothered having to defend their own personal choices.
This guy might be:
1/ A surgeon/anesthetist who may one day be responsible for treating your broken neck when you fell off your horse (whilst wearing your hat).
2/ A soldier who has just returned from dodging bullets in Afghanistan and doesn't quite have the same attitude to personal safety.
3/ Some random bloke who probably doesn't deserve being labeled as “stupid” just because he chose not to wear his hard hat.
Come on people, get a grip, some wear em and some don't, there's much more important things in life to be getting stressed about. (FWIW I used to see a guy regularly riding without his shirt on – I had no problems with that at all, he was HOT).
Also, because it's Friday and I'm feeling a bit contentious, what is more likely to result in hospitilisation; riding in a school on a trusted horse without a hat or participating in cross-country/racing/polo/hunting/point-to-point/hurdling with all the safety gear?
Also, how much protection from a brain injury does a hard hat actually offer? I wear mine to protect against my head splitting open but I was under the impression that brain injuries generally result from the ole grey matter being shaken around/walloped too much? I stand to be corrected (with information please and not opinion based on one experience in life or indoctrination).
I seem to remember my insurance company didn't give a monkey's whether I wore the right equipment or not, only whether I was competing.
Let's ban all horse sports – why should the NHS pay for such tomfoolery (tongue firmly in cheek there)
PS Hang in there Prince33 Sp4rkle, the only people who normally respond to these posts (as with high-vis) are ardent hard-hat wearers – it generally isn't very balanced because the people who don't probably can't be bothered having to defend their own personal choices.
Crackajack
Well-Known Member
Ok......
Was going to say that i would love to ride without a hat...but then read the 6 pages of this thread! lol
I do "risk" it by not wearing a hat - this is normally in what we call the back field - me and bestie go in there on a regular basis and i feel totally at ease with him in there....walking, cantering, galloping and yes...even jumping
I do not encourage it to anybody and i do not demontsrate it either - i ride to the field with my hat on (although i dont do chin strap up) and then leave it on the gate whilst i go round field....
I only do it because i trust my beastie - if im schooling i wear a hat as my yard requires me to do so...
Its not something i take lightly but at the end of the day its my decision...hope you all respect that as you dont seem to have done so with others who have been honest enough to tell you they dont wear a hat on occasions
Was going to say that i would love to ride without a hat...but then read the 6 pages of this thread! lol
I do "risk" it by not wearing a hat - this is normally in what we call the back field - me and bestie go in there on a regular basis and i feel totally at ease with him in there....walking, cantering, galloping and yes...even jumping
I do not encourage it to anybody and i do not demontsrate it either - i ride to the field with my hat on (although i dont do chin strap up) and then leave it on the gate whilst i go round field....
I only do it because i trust my beastie - if im schooling i wear a hat as my yard requires me to do so...
Its not something i take lightly but at the end of the day its my decision...hope you all respect that as you dont seem to have done so with others who have been honest enough to tell you they dont wear a hat on occasions
Foxglove
Well-Known Member
I personally always choose to wear a hat.
I have had the misfortune to have had a very innocuous fall out hacking - horse shied and spun and I landed on my head. My hat split and had to be replaced. My landing was on grass and the ground certainly wasn't hard. Had I not had a hat on, it could have been a very different outcome (I only suffered mild concussion).
Now, I do see plenty of people out riding without a hat. A friend of mind rides a former horse of mine without a hat (he really was one of the safest horses you could sit on). It is their choice to ride without a hat, but the excuse that 'my horse is really safe and I don't intend to fall off' is foolhardy at best, stupid at worst. Accidents happen.
People ride without hats to look cool, fashionable or something inbetween. I have more respect for people who admit this fact than try and argue some statistic that they are more likley to get run over by a bus or it irritates them etc. Riding is a risk sport and to a certain extent one should try and minimise a forseeable risk ie if you land on your head you may suffer a head injury.
However, having said all that, if someone wants to ride without a hat, they should have the freedom of choice to do so without being pilloried for it.
I have had the misfortune to have had a very innocuous fall out hacking - horse shied and spun and I landed on my head. My hat split and had to be replaced. My landing was on grass and the ground certainly wasn't hard. Had I not had a hat on, it could have been a very different outcome (I only suffered mild concussion).
Now, I do see plenty of people out riding without a hat. A friend of mind rides a former horse of mine without a hat (he really was one of the safest horses you could sit on). It is their choice to ride without a hat, but the excuse that 'my horse is really safe and I don't intend to fall off' is foolhardy at best, stupid at worst. Accidents happen.
People ride without hats to look cool, fashionable or something inbetween. I have more respect for people who admit this fact than try and argue some statistic that they are more likley to get run over by a bus or it irritates them etc. Riding is a risk sport and to a certain extent one should try and minimise a forseeable risk ie if you land on your head you may suffer a head injury.
However, having said all that, if someone wants to ride without a hat, they should have the freedom of choice to do so without being pilloried for it.
Sarah Sum1
Well-Known Member
Ok......
Was going to say that i would love to ride without a hat...but then read the 6 pages of this thread! lol
I do "risk" it by not wearing a hat - this is normally in what we call the back field - me and bestie go in there on a regular basis and i feel totally at ease with him in there....walking, cantering, galloping and yes...even jumping
I do not encourage it to anybody and i do not demontsrate it either - i ride to the field with my hat on (although i dont do chin strap up) and then leave it on the gate whilst i go round field....
I only do it because i trust my beastie - if im schooling i wear a hat as my yard requires me to do so...
Its not something i take lightly but at the end of the day its my decision...hope you all respect that as you dont seem to have done so with others who have been honest enough to tell you they dont wear a hat on occasions
I respect your choice to not wear a hat, but have a couple of questions if you don't mind answering them?
Ok, you say you trust your horse, great, but... what about if (as happened in a previous post) a horse fly bit your horse and he went mental and flung you off, or a low flying military helicopter flew by, or a gang of aliens appeared in front of you
that kind of thing? Coz horses are by nature unpredictable, and you may have the most trustworthy beast going, but if he freaks out for whatever reason and it does happen, he is not going to give you warning and time to jump off. Also It worries me if people that don't wear hats have children as you could potentially leave them motherless. Is it not selfish when you have children? I don't know if you have children and am not calling you slefish, just wondered what you thought
