Is it just me

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HorseMad91

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So over the years I've been asked a lot of strange and wonderful things but today I'm was completely confused so I thought I'd share with everyone. I was down the yard this afternoon lunging my youngster now as lovely as he is he can be a brat. He rodeos he leaps he rears and can be very spooky so I always have my riding hat on just in case. I'm happy lunging when one of the other women down the yard whos seen my horse kick off many times comes over and asks if I always lunge with my hat on, I said yes. She then asks me why I would bother to wear my hat when I'm not riding and then kept going on about it not being needed. Am I strange for wanting to protect my head from my big lump of a horse. It felt so weird justifying why I was wearing my hat to protect my head.
 
Rise above it with the knowledge that you are the experienced and knowledgeable horseman who knows how to handle young horses and she is clueless.

Hope you had gloves on too !! Always always stay safe, complacency can often lead to an accident.

There was a quite recent and very tragic case where a young woman was killed after a horse who was displaying high jinks in the field kicked her.
 
I never wore a hat to lunge, thinking it wasn't necessary until my boy decided one day that cantering was too exciting on the flat and started to buck. He also turned his back end in towards me, bum in the air and back legs flying. It occurred to me in a light-bulb moment that his hooves were not that far from my head. Now, I always wear my hat. And gloves, and proper boots so that I can dig my heels in and hold against his actions. If he does play up, I can stand my ground and he gives in and works through it really nicely. But be safe - for goodness sake, it's a hat - it could save your life. Like zzClaire, the repercussions of not enough don't bear thinking about.
 
I used to wear my hat and body protector for all handling when I first got my two. Because their backgrounds were unknown and one had been abused, the priotity was me, my safety. Nowadays, i only wear them for riding and in this part of Spain we are often ridiculed. I don't care. I only have one life and I value it.
 
Always hat and gloves when lunging. Horse spooked once, could almost see smoke come off gloves. No non slip grip left. So glad it wasnt the skin off my hands..
 
I lunged my very well-behaved and sane mare today. I was wearing my helmet, gloves and boots, and didn't feel stupid at all. There's a reason the BHS teach you to use that safety equipment.
 
I would much rather be ridiculed for wearing protective gear than end up in a wheelchair or a coffin. Your choice to protect yourself is no-one else's business.
 
well that is a strange conversation.
I am sure it would save you if he kicked out but even if it didn't.... Mind your own business! Aslong as it make you feel more safe, that is all that matters!
 
I always wear hat and gloves to lunge in. My girl (when younger) liked to have bucking fits and while the legs weren't aimed at you they did come very close and it's just not worth it
 
I have always been taught to wear an hat whilst lumging as anything can happen so l'd ignore the other livery's comment. As someone has already said you only have one head. Even the most relaxed horse can have a moment resulting in an accident. I tend to wear an hat whenever handling youngsters or if l know one of my horses is acting abit unpredictable l'm a firm believer that prevention is better than cure and would be safe rather than sorry.
 
probably someone who has never handled youngsters.
If she had then she wouldn't think twice about it (or gloves, or neckstrap when riding) - you are doing the right thing.
 
People ask silly questions when I got my boy he was only 3 and I was asked why I don't tie his head down... I just smiled and said its not my style which she preceded to tell me that I didn't even look horsey haha I'd rather be safe for both horse and rider than look right
 
I have never worn a hat while lunging any horse (and yes, I have worked with young horses), but it would appear that I am the odd one out here! Most of the lunging I have done was when I was working abroad, and they never once asked/told me to wear a hat, or even gloves.

However, I can absolutely see why you would wear protective gear, and it seems eminently sensible to do so... and when I lunge my current horse, it does briefly cross my mind that maybe I should wear one. Never do though, just take the optimistic assumption that nothing bad will happen (which is highly uncharacteristic for me!)

Just ignore her :)
 
I used to have the mick taken out of me a lot when my mare was a yearling due to the fact I used to turn out and bring in wearing a hat and gloves.

She was a very excited baby and legs used to fly everywhere. Like others say you only get one head/one life so sod what others think.
 
HorseMad91 said:
So over the years I've been asked a lot of strange and wonderful things but today I'm was completely confused so I thought I'd share with everyone. I was down the yard this afternoon lunging my youngster now as lovely as he is he can be a brat. He rodeos he leaps he rears and can be very spooky so I always have my riding hat on just in case. I'm happy lunging when one of the other women down the yard whos seen my horse kick off many times comes over and asks if I always lunge with my hat on, I said yes. She then asks me why I would bother to wear my hat when I'm not riding and then kept going on about it not being needed. Am I strange for wanting to protect my head from my big lump of a horse. It felt so weird justifying why I was wearing my hat to protect my head.
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I don't lunge without a hat and gloves. Don't care what anyone else thinks about that - it's my head and hands snd I want to keep them!!
 
Mine is relatively sane these days, but used to be silly on the lunge - and the bucks were always inwards. When we moved yards recently I lunged in a hat, fully expecting acrobatics. I've also brought her in for the field in the past wearing a hat if all the horses had the wind up their tails. She can go bolt upright if she's being a madam and I'd rather have a glancing blow hit a hat than my head!
 
What a strange comment to make! I don't wear a hat to lunge unless I'm riding immediately after but I wouldn't dream of questioning anyone that does! But then I don't wear gloves either and I know first hand the damage that can be done when you don't!
 
When I lead the youngsters out on the road, I wear a hat and gloves, when lunging I wear a hat and gloves. There was a time when I seriously considered bringing the young Appy in from the field wearing a hat, as she went through a phase of going up with the front end. When riding the youngsters I wear a bp and an air jacket as well. I have no interest in what other people wear and don't understand why other people would be interested in what I wear around the horses!
 
Dancing_Diva said:
I used to have the mick taken out of me a lot when my mare was a yearling due to the fact I used to turn out and bring in wearing a hat and gloves.

She was a very excited baby and legs used to fly everywhere. Like others say you only get one head/one life so sod what others think.
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There's a member of staff on my yard who always turns out/brings in while wearing a hat, even though all the horses she handles are well-behaved. I think it's extremely sensible of her, and has the added bonus of looking very professional.

I've taken to wearing a hat more often when handling after my share horse tripped going into his box and slammed me against the wall. If I hadn't still been wearing my hat after riding, I'd have been badly hurt. And it just proves that it doesn't matter how good the horse is - accidents can still happen.
 
What a rude and incredibly stupid woman, she obviously has no experience of lunging unpredictable horses or in fact any horse, perhaps is she comments again (not that it is any of her business) tell her so.
 
I wear my hat and gloves for leading to/from field, loading on/off trailer, as well as lunging. Because even a nice calm horse can have a meltdown when you least expect it. I also take great care not to have the lunge line wrapped around my hand or allow it the end to dangle on the ground.
 
I wear my hat often for leading, lunging, loading etc. especially with young horses. You only get one head, why take unnecessary risks.

The person that commented to you is a moron.
 
Glad it's not just me. I suppose i shouldn't be too surprised she is well known for coming out with random things. I think this one just shocked me abit
 
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