Not being a fluffy bunny, but......

benson21

benson21

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with all the safety features being known about, why oh why has the horse and hound forum got a feature on its page of Emma Hindle, riding with no hat?

I would of thought H&H would be trying to set an example?
 
I also saw that yesterday and thought it was a bad picture to be showing anywhere.

We have younger members on her and some of us that look up to these high level riders. Seeing them without a hat on is not a good move.

Not that long ago a dressage rider in America ended up in a coma when her safe dressage horse spooked. Can't remember her name.....not sure if she is better or not....but the point is she had no hat on, she'd have got up and got back on if she had a hat on.

There are reasons why we where hats.
 
Agreed 100%, I don't care what kind of super human rider you are on an incredibly well trained horse - accidents happen and hooves/fences/the ground is hard and unforgiving - your brain isn't! If people choose to ride without a hat in the privacy of their own yard then good luck to them, publishing pics of it is stupid, especially when they are a top level rider that many are likely to look up too and seek to emulate.
 
I fail to see why wearing a hat would make you a 'fluffy bunny'? It is a perfectly sensible thing to be doing and not wearing one has nothing to do with being fluffy - just stupid.
 
Well you can still wear your hat if you want to, being aware of the fact some people don't doesn't change that. What is the problem, really?
 
Flame_ said:
Well you can still wear your hat if you want to, being aware of the fact some people don't doesn't change that. What is the problem, really?
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If someone is easily lead by seeing pics of a much admired rider then they are likely to copy aspects of what they see - be that shiny bridles, bling browbands or their hat/lack of choice. Putting pics setting a poor example into the public domain is irresponsible.
 
H & H perhaps try to include some articles based on reality, and if some successful riders really ride without hats, wouldn't it be mis-leading of the magazine not to show a genuine picture?
 
ThePony said:
If someone is easily lead
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People need to take responsibility for how easily led they are. If you decide to ride without a hat, that is your choice and your fault not someone else's for riding without a hat, or a magazine's for showing a photo of someone else riding without a hat. :rolleyes:
 
I am not sure I buy in to the idea that younger riders will be swayed by people like Emma Hindle, but a bet they are when they see pictures of Katie Price riding without a hat!
 
I have to say I mostly agree with Flame here. I did see the picture and think 'stupid girl', but it really really REALLY annoys me when people always try and shift responsibility!! If you are stupid enough to get on a horse without a hat (no matter what your ability) then if something happens to you the responsibility for that lies with you and you alone!

The Dutch riding magazines frequently have pictures of riders with no hats on - but then hats are as prevelant here. I have had odd looks riding with a hat at a couple of yards... I couldn't give a rats ass... my choice to wear one, as much as it is their choice not to wear one.
 
ThePony said:
If someone is easily lead by seeing pics of a much admired rider then they are likely to copy aspects of what they see - be that shiny bridles, bling browbands or their hat/lack of choice. Putting pics setting a poor example into the public domain is irresponsible.
Click to expand...

I agree that may not be a great example, however, this does assume that people are unable to think for themselves and make their own decisions.
I have seen 'in the flesh' (so to speak) some excellent local riders as well as pictures of top-class professionals NOT wearing a hat when riding. Maybe they feel they are so good in the saddle that they don't need to? In my opinion they are foolish but it is their free choice and they are the ones who will pay the penalty should the worst happen.
I myself would never ride hatless, one because I don't rate myself so highly as a horseman that I think I can never have a fall, two because I am sat astride a wild prey animal with a highly developed flight-response and therefore, due to both of these, there is a high level of unpredictability!
That said I firmly believe in free-will and if I did decide, 'in my own backyard' to not wear protective headgear then I should be allowed to do so knowing and accepting the risk I would be taking.
Therein in lies the tale, we should educate people about the risks and how to minimise them, but we shouldn't and can't legislate that they MUST take these precautions where they are the only ones who can be held responsible i.e. not in a riding school, competition, etc. The end game of that path is that the Health and Safety Police make anything that is dangerous illegal and I can no longer sit astride that wild prey animal!
 
I spoke to someone at Horse and Hound this afternoon, they told me it was the only picture they had of her. When I suggested putting the story on but without a picture, they told me that couldnt possibly be done.
I do understand the people saying that its personal choice and people shouldnt be swayed by what they see in the media, but in the end we all know that happens.
 
Just because some people choose not to wear a hat....doesn't mean that they are to blame for influencing anyone else.

Impressionable people will always exist. And their lack of common sense should not be an issue for everyone else.

Not wearing a hat is an individuals choice....and the hat/no hat argument will always exist because freedom of choice always will too.
 
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