Sarah Sum1
Well-Known Member
Careful how you word things, you may think it's stupid and idiotic not to wear a hat, but I wouldn't go getting personal. You'll get told off by admin and upset people.
Hat or no hat? That is the question.....
- Thread starter bahumbug
- Start date
Careful how you word things, you may think it's stupid and idiotic not to wear a hat, but I wouldn't go getting personal. You'll get told off by admin and upset people.
cloudandmatrix
Well-Known Member
sorry
got a little carried away- wasnt being super spesific, just that was what i remembered. sorry! i am still new here lol
got a little carried away- wasnt being super spesific, just that was what i remembered. sorry! i am still new here lolThelwell_Girl
Well-Known Member
Just wondering... What the point of wearing a hat if theres no proper chinstrap done up? Seems a bit silly to me... Ah well!
Maiko
Well-Known Member
Fabulous, the jolly old hat debate again! We could all save time and just copy and paste the last three million hat debates, as they all say the same thing, which is generally:
(Hat Wearers to Non Hat wearers) You're all thick, ignorant, stupid, selfish morons and a burden to your family when your brains are mashed to a pulp and you turn in to a drooling vegetable....
(Non Hat Wearers to Hat wearers) You're all sanctimonious whingeing ninnies, freedom of choice is ours and our horses are all so safe we will never fall off.....
Personally, I don't give a toss what other people do. I wear a harness hat because I want to, but some friends of mine ride in Beaglers or no hat at all, because THEY want to. Good luck to them, they aren't interfering with me, so it's none of my business what they do.
And as for the argument that it "sets a bad example to the young", well, their parents should be enforcing rules about wearing a hat or not. No one should be made to feel responsible for other peoples offspring.
Can we have a nice chat about something else now? This ""debate" is pointless.
(Hat Wearers to Non Hat wearers) You're all thick, ignorant, stupid, selfish morons and a burden to your family when your brains are mashed to a pulp and you turn in to a drooling vegetable....
(Non Hat Wearers to Hat wearers) You're all sanctimonious whingeing ninnies, freedom of choice is ours and our horses are all so safe we will never fall off.....
Personally, I don't give a toss what other people do. I wear a harness hat because I want to, but some friends of mine ride in Beaglers or no hat at all, because THEY want to. Good luck to them, they aren't interfering with me, so it's none of my business what they do.
And as for the argument that it "sets a bad example to the young", well, their parents should be enforcing rules about wearing a hat or not. No one should be made to feel responsible for other peoples offspring.
Can we have a nice chat about something else now? This ""debate" is pointless.
Weezy
Well-Known Member
Another take on it.....wearing a hat nearly killed me Not jesting at all, my horse and I fell, at speed, flipping over, I hit the deck head first, knocked out, when I came round I couldn't breath because my hat had actually been knocked backwards off my head and the chin strap was around my neck and choking me.
Just thought that would be interesting to chuck in there
People ride with hats that a) don't fit, b) have loose chin straps, c) are rubbish....but people think that is OK as they have something physical on their heads.
Do I wear a hat? Never used to, only at comps and escorting people out riding - the only reason I had one on the day I fell was because I was taking the YOs 11 year old daughter out hacking and I was setting an example. I wear a hat now as I have to go up a lane to do anything, even to the school, but I will take it off in the school if I feel like it.
Not jesting at all, my horse and I fell, at speed, flipping over, I hit the deck head first, knocked out, when I came round I couldn't breath because my hat had actually been knocked backwards off my head and the chin strap was around my neck and choking me.Just thought that would be interesting to chuck in there
People ride with hats that a) don't fit, b) have loose chin straps, c) are rubbish....but people think that is OK as they have something physical on their heads.Do I wear a hat? Never used to, only at comps and escorting people out riding - the only reason I had one on the day I fell was because I was taking the YOs 11 year old daughter out hacking and I was setting an example. I wear a hat now as I have to go up a lane to do anything, even to the school, but I will take it off in the school if I feel like it.
Crackajack
Well-Known Member
No hun its fine - glad you're willing to discussI 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 youthat 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
Ok...i know my horse well enough to know that he wouldn't run off by a horse fly bite....so scratch that one...its not that i trust him not to do anything its that i trust him to run and only run!
The field we go in is relativley flat with hills only by the exit and entrance (Handy when you want to pull u
) so if he ever did spook or run off i know him well enough to know that he would just simply run - no spinning or bronching etcI can sit to that - had him for four years now - his longest ever owner!
You have to bear in mind that beastie spent 12-18 months attempting anything within his power to get me off....due to being pinned and wrongly manipulated to do as he was told...ive been jumped out of arenas on him onto concrete ffs lol
I dont have children.....but i would think differently if i did....not because i would be worried about them having no mum - so to speak - but because i would be worried that i would be setting the wrong example to them as they grow up by running risks when they are not old enough to know for themselves yet
I can not think of anything that helps me and beastie bond more than galloping through the back field....him with only a bridle on and me in shorts, t shirt and flip flops...
lmfao
I love my pony
Crackajack
Well-Known Member
LMFAO
Sarah Sum1
Well-Known Member
No hun its fine - glad you're willing to discuss
Ok...i know my horse well enough to know that he wouldn't run off by a horse fly bite....so scratch that one...its not that i trust him not to do anything its that i trust him to run and only run!
The field we go in is relativley flat with hills only by the exit and entrance (Handy when you want to pull u
I can sit to that - had him for four years now - his longest ever owner!
You have to bear in mind that beastie spent 12-18 months attempting anything within his power to get me off....due to being pinned and wrongly manipulated to do as he was told...ive been jumped out of arenas on him onto concrete ffs lol
I dont have children.....but i would think differently if i did....not because i would be worried about them having no mum - so to speak - but because i would be worried that i would be setting the wrong example to them as they grow up by running risks when they are not old enough to know for themselves yet
I can not think of anything that helps me and beastie bond more than galloping through the back field....him with only a bridle on and me in shorts, t shirt and flip flops...
lmfao
I love my pony
Now I am more concerned about you getting horse hairs digging in your naked legs!
I'm a scaredy cat and I worry about galloping with a saddle on let alone bareback! I worry about rabbit holes and the horse going flying. May be why I wear a hat
ALso do your flip flops not fall off?
henryhorn
Well-Known Member
But why should I and every other tax payer be expected to pay for 24/7 nursing care if you fall off on your head and end up cabbaged?
It's not preaching, it's telling you not to be so utterly selfish.
As for boasting about riding with a crash hat sometimes undone I wonder if a fall may perhaps have already addled your brain, what is the point in doing that?
It's nothing to do with judgement it's using what your head was designed to do, use it's intelligence to realise sometimes we have no control over events and what happens, so it's wiser to be preventative.
Incase I sound bitter let me tell you why, my much loved brother had the top of his head sliced off by the roof of his car windscreen through not wearing a safety belt. Had he used his brain to get one fitted (they were not in all cars then) we would have enjoyed many more years with him. He lived three hours before they allowed him to die. Would you wish that sort of experience on your relatives?
I very much doubt it...
It's not preaching, it's telling you not to be so utterly selfish.
As for boasting about riding with a crash hat sometimes undone I wonder if a fall may perhaps have already addled your brain, what is the point in doing that?
It's nothing to do with judgement it's using what your head was designed to do, use it's intelligence to realise sometimes we have no control over events and what happens, so it's wiser to be preventative.
Incase I sound bitter let me tell you why, my much loved brother had the top of his head sliced off by the roof of his car windscreen through not wearing a safety belt. Had he used his brain to get one fitted (they were not in all cars then) we would have enjoyed many more years with him. He lived three hours before they allowed him to die. Would you wish that sort of experience on your relatives?
I very much doubt it...
Annagain
Well-Known Member
Hat, always.
A few of my more silly falls have included:
On old pony (14hh bombproof, 100% in traffic but a bit exciteable)
1) Getting on at yard before going into school. He normally walked off forwards so I would jump a bit forwards as well, this time he went backwards. I went straight over his neck.
2) Bareback, opening gate to leave yard to wander down to field, he tripped over his own feet as I asked him to go sideways, both ended up on floor.
3) Bareback, coming up from field he tripped on a stone, I went flying.
4) On Badminton ride aged 24 wandering up the big avenue quietly by ourselves tucked into the edge to let others go past us as we were taking it slowly. A squirrel jumped out of the hedge and landed on his neck. He didn't do much compared to what some would do, just spun round. But it was enough for me to come out the side door and for him to stand there looking at me very confused.
On my current horse (16.3hh, bombproof, 100% in traffic, ex hunter, very footsure but very strong)
1) Cantering through stubble field at home, he's in 2nd place and not happy so pulling like a train and more interested in getting to front than in where he's going, trips on a rutted bit, I'm on the floor.
2) In a lesson, instructor goes up to new gallery area about 12ft in the air and starts shouting instuctions at us. My horse doesn't bat an eyelid but horse in front freaks, backs into mine and knocks me off.
According to some of you some of these situations would be ones when you would never wear hats. My point is no matter what you're doing, where you're doing it or how good your horse is stupid, freak accidents happen.
How many horses, even brilliant ones wouldn't have a fit at a squirrel jumping onto their necks? I know that was a situation (as an organised ride) where we would all have a hat on, but it could just as easily have been in a field at home as a Badminton
A few of my more silly falls have included:
On old pony (14hh bombproof, 100% in traffic but a bit exciteable)
1) Getting on at yard before going into school. He normally walked off forwards so I would jump a bit forwards as well, this time he went backwards. I went straight over his neck.
2) Bareback, opening gate to leave yard to wander down to field, he tripped over his own feet as I asked him to go sideways, both ended up on floor.
3) Bareback, coming up from field he tripped on a stone, I went flying.
4) On Badminton ride aged 24 wandering up the big avenue quietly by ourselves tucked into the edge to let others go past us as we were taking it slowly. A squirrel jumped out of the hedge and landed on his neck. He didn't do much compared to what some would do, just spun round. But it was enough for me to come out the side door and for him to stand there looking at me very confused.
On my current horse (16.3hh, bombproof, 100% in traffic, ex hunter, very footsure but very strong)
1) Cantering through stubble field at home, he's in 2nd place and not happy so pulling like a train and more interested in getting to front than in where he's going, trips on a rutted bit, I'm on the floor.
2) In a lesson, instructor goes up to new gallery area about 12ft in the air and starts shouting instuctions at us. My horse doesn't bat an eyelid but horse in front freaks, backs into mine and knocks me off.
According to some of you some of these situations would be ones when you would never wear hats. My point is no matter what you're doing, where you're doing it or how good your horse is stupid, freak accidents happen.
How many horses, even brilliant ones wouldn't have a fit at a squirrel jumping onto their necks? I know that was a situation (as an organised ride) where we would all have a hat on, but it could just as easily have been in a field at home as a Badminton
JDChaser
Well-Known Member
IMO horse riding is an extreme sport. We're all so brave to get on a horse, whether it be just a trot around the school, a walk out or galloping around a race course! You'd never see a pro skiier, snowboarder, cyclist, skateboarder...etc doing their sport without the protection of a helmet and other gear - so why wouldn't we use protection too? Everyone agrees that we wear boots with a heel because it's dangerous not to, so why wouldn't you wear a hat as well for the same reason 
bahumbug
Well-Known Member
IMO horse riding is an extreme sport. We're all so brave to get on a horse, whether it be just a trot around the school, a walk out or galloping around a race course! You'd never see a pro skiier, snowboarder, cyclist, skateboarder...etc doing their sport without the protection of a helmet and other gear - so why wouldn't we use protection too? Everyone agrees that we wear boots with a heel because it's dangerous not to, so why wouldn't you wear a hat as well for the same reason
Put like that it's a no-brainer isn't it? Well said!
Crackajack
Well-Known Member
Now I am more concerned about you getting horse hairs digging in your naked legs!
I'm a scaredy cat and I worry about galloping with a saddle on let alone bareback! I worry about rabbit holes and the horse going flying. May be why I wear a hat
ALso do your flip flops not fall off?
We are lucky our back field is maintained by the YO and you do not have to stay to the edge its just simply an open field to play in...but massive!
Ive fallen off several times but just landed on my feet with beastie looking at me as if to say - ha ha cant do it without tack can we? lol
He looks after his mum
He knos im the one who has control over food Flip flops....no...never thought about it tho...they just stay?! lol
People are still debating over this hat or no hat thing - why? If you do cool - if you dont sound....each to their own!
Oh and to the person - sorry i cant remember - who said why should people pay taxes/for the NHS - you wont have to with me i pay out of my hard earned cash for private health care!
FlorenceBassey
Well-Known Member
I only wear a hat on the road, if i fall off and crack my skull open when ridind in the field or school then so be it, i'm single, have no kids and a distant relationship with family the only one relying on me is me, so i see it as my choice and mine alone.
EAST KENT
Well-Known Member
All riders should start bareback riding..gives you balance double quick,you all sound like H@S freaks,maybe you all ride horses that are spooky or whatever.However I do not,and if someone wants to take a quiet ride on a trusty horse without a hat..so what? Pity you..you will never learn the freedom of the wind in your hair..you`ll all be equiped with parachutes next..OH I forgot ..there are those inflating body armour things now ,are`nt there. As a youngster I never wore a hat,except hunting,usually was bareback,and very often the mare had on a halter with reins attached to the D`s.Shock horror..but great FUN.
bahumbug
Well-Known Member
Oh and to the person - sorry i cant remember - who said why should people pay taxes/for the NHS - you wont have to with me i pay out of my hard earned cash for private health care!
Worth noting though that you dont get taken to the nearest BUPA spa if you're in an accident - it's A&E all the way!
CinnamonChristmasCookie
Fais pas chier!
Quite. I have a husband and a responsibility to take care of myself therefore the hat is on when I'm on board. No discussion, no reminders needed.
I cannot abide the people that say 'Oh, it's my life, my risk.' Idiots, frankly. What about the parents/friends etc that would grieve when putting on a hat takes all of 20 seconds?
animal
Well-Known Member
I think we should face it that people cannot be @rsed to pick a hat and put it on their head, for lets see, a total of 10 seconds. I can't understand the logic, and cannot see a genuine reason for not wearing one... apart from vanity.
bahumbug
Well-Known Member
I think we should face it that people cannot be @rsed to pick a hat and put it on their head, for lets see, a total of 10 seconds. I can't understand the logic, and cannot see a genuine reason for not wearing one... apart from vanity.
I freely admit I am one of those people who was too bloody prinky to put a hat on. That's why I started this thread, because despite several near misses myself, it was friends in the US leading by example in wearing hats at dressage shows in the warm up after Courtney King-Dye's accident. After a pony club (hats on) upbringing to eventing and later through dressage I kind of got into this no hats regime and Court's story was a wake up call. I spent a bit of time looking at cute photos of me in the dressage arena (ok cute horse, I'm not that bally vain!) and thought of all the near misses over the years and well....I'm a little older now so I'm glad i got this wake up call rather than a not waking up ever again (or slowly and painfully) for my family.
To those who have made rude comments about the subject, who are bored of it, I just feel sorry for you because you clearly didn't read the original post in the first place therefore did not pick up that this is a discussion. The stories here have just strengthened my resolve to leave the baseball cap behind and put a proper hat on when I get on a horse. My husband, who does not ride but is an army officer, said to look at the Kings Troop on hols - hats, even in the sea (riders of course).
Leaving aside the rude people, I thank everyone is contributing to this interesting discussion, keep talking!
FlorenceBassey
Well-Known Member
I really dont care what others think or what happens to me
Minxie
Well-Known Member
On the rare occasions I do ride I wear a hat - but more because I'm not that good and there's a fairly high risk of me eating dirt
However. Of all the fairly spectacular dismounts I've had I've never hit my head. BUT, i've been damned near concussed on a few occasions by horses while on the ground. So I guess in terms of personal safety it would probably make more sense for me to wear a hat while mucking out
However. Of all the fairly spectacular dismounts I've had I've never hit my head. BUT, i've been damned near concussed on a few occasions by horses while on the ground. So I guess in terms of personal safety it would probably make more sense for me to wear a hat while mucking out
benson21
Well-Known Member
maybe not, but the ambulance technician, paramedic, nurses, doctors, porters, radiographers, physiotheraposts, occupational therapists, and domestics, have to care for you, all because you cant be bothered to put a hat on.
How selfish is that.
WelshMisfit
Well-Known Member
No question about it. Hat every time! It isn't anything I think to question. Why would anyone take the risk by not wearing one? Doesn't matter how well schooled the horse is, they all spook sometimes. It's their natural instinct to flee when they get scared. In fact, I think it's probably more important than ever to wear one if your horse is well behaved, they're more likely to catch you unawares than if you're used to your horse spooking! 
If I was ever in any doubt about the reasons for wearing a riding hat, they were put to bed by an accident a friend of mine had while we were out hacking. Her horse spooked at something, bolted down the main road and stopped mid gallop right in front of a galvanised metal fence (the kind you get on the central reservation of the motorway). She went head first into it, split her hat in two and was in hospital for a fortnight because of it. She still has headaches and dizzy spells because of it and that was three years ago. Sorry, it's just not worth the risk.
If I was ever in any doubt about the reasons for wearing a riding hat, they were put to bed by an accident a friend of mine had while we were out hacking. Her horse spooked at something, bolted down the main road and stopped mid gallop right in front of a galvanised metal fence (the kind you get on the central reservation of the motorway). She went head first into it, split her hat in two and was in hospital for a fortnight because of it. She still has headaches and dizzy spells because of it and that was three years ago. Sorry, it's just not worth the risk.
SJFAN
Well-Known Member
Well I hope that FlorenceB carries written instructions that she does not want medical attention should she suffer a head injury!
I agree about the pleasure and value of riding bareback, but riding bareback does not preclude wearing a hat.
I am puzzled by why this thread appears in Latest News. Surely it should be in New Lounge?
I agree about the pleasure and value of riding bareback, but riding bareback does not preclude wearing a hat.
I am puzzled by why this thread appears in Latest News. Surely it should be in New Lounge?
kirstyl
Well-Known Member
Better to split hairs than skulls!
Ignition
Well-Known Member
Princess Sparkle do you also ride in trainers? Or do you recognise that boots with a small heel are much for practical and safe to wear when riding
dreamcometrue
Well-Known Member
It makes sense to wear a hat in case of falling off.
Those who don't wear a hat, its your choice and I don't care.
I would however, wish that everyone who has posted a frantically defensive post about not wearing a hat would be able to come back and read said post when they are my age so they could see what a to**er they were in 2010.
Those who don't wear a hat, its your choice and I don't care.
I would however, wish that everyone who has posted a frantically defensive post about not wearing a hat would be able to come back and read said post when they are my age so they could see what a to**er they were in 2010.
Last edited:
bahumbug
Well-Known Member
I would however, wish that everyone who has posted a frantically defensive post about not wearing a hat would be able to come back and read said post when they are my age so they could see what a to**er they were in 2010.
Fabulous! LOL
combat_claire
Well-Known Member
I don't know if anyone else has been reading Melanie Griffiths articles in the Times every Saturday. She is writing an article from her hospital ward following a refusal during an amateur one day event. She was thrown over the horse and broke a serious vertebrae in her neck meaning she is now paralysed from the chest down and considered a quadraplegic. I appreciate that she was wearing a hat and a body protector, but her writings on her daily struggles to keep control of her bowels, attempt minor movements in the exercise pool and her frustrations at spending months in a collar and brace should lead us all to review our relationship with safety equipment.
I am proud to say that I always wear a jockey skull when riding, I also tend to keep it on when untacking and so forth. I also made a conscious decision to sell a second hand Patey I had acquired and invest in a Charles Owen kite marked velvet hunt cap complete with chin strap. I don't see riding as any different from any of my other risk activities - I wouldn't face the opposition bowling without my batting helmet, I certainly wouldn't go rock climbing without my climbing helmet and I don't hunt on my bicycle without a cycle helmet. The same as I wouldn't have gone into a TA mock battle or across their assault course in my beret. Why should riding be any different??
This argument for me at least hasn't presented any new thoughts on why riding hatless is a good thing. I'm not going to preach, it is your choice that in the case of a serious accident you could become a huge burden on the health services and your family and risk giving up the activity you love forever.
I'm going to stop rambling now as I have to go and buy my new safety helmet for site visits now I am a fully qualified chartered surveyor.
I am proud to say that I always wear a jockey skull when riding, I also tend to keep it on when untacking and so forth. I also made a conscious decision to sell a second hand Patey I had acquired and invest in a Charles Owen kite marked velvet hunt cap complete with chin strap. I don't see riding as any different from any of my other risk activities - I wouldn't face the opposition bowling without my batting helmet, I certainly wouldn't go rock climbing without my climbing helmet and I don't hunt on my bicycle without a cycle helmet. The same as I wouldn't have gone into a TA mock battle or across their assault course in my beret. Why should riding be any different??
This argument for me at least hasn't presented any new thoughts on why riding hatless is a good thing. I'm not going to preach, it is your choice that in the case of a serious accident you could become a huge burden on the health services and your family and risk giving up the activity you love forever.
I'm going to stop rambling now as I have to go and buy my new safety helmet for site visits now I am a fully qualified chartered surveyor.
Izzwizz
Well-Known Member
Picture this scenario :- horse and rider sit at breakfast table and rider says to horse
"now be a good boy/girl today and dont chuck me off as we are doing flatwork lesson. I dont want a poorly head."
Next day, " Today we are off for a hack out so I will wear my hat so you are allowed to have a spook,trip etc"
Horses are animals and dont understand words atall. Wearing a hat is a no brainer, and it doesnt matter where you are riding. If you are going to put a scarf or something likewise on your head, then why not put a hat on instead? Cannot understand anyone not wearing one, as others have said, we wear seatbelts for a reason - hats are exactly the same!
"now be a good boy/girl today and dont chuck me off as we are doing flatwork lesson. I dont want a poorly head."
Next day, " Today we are off for a hack out so I will wear my hat so you are allowed to have a spook,trip etc"
Horses are animals and dont understand words atall. Wearing a hat is a no brainer, and it doesnt matter where you are riding. If you are going to put a scarf or something likewise on your head, then why not put a hat on instead? Cannot understand anyone not wearing one, as others have said, we wear seatbelts for a reason - hats are exactly the same!