Perplexed query about hat use

[Wyatt1928]

Hello everyone

I have been lurking for years and have finally started posting. I am very perplexed. I should say that I haven't ridden a horse for years but I did frequently between the ages of seven and seventeen. I was in the Pony Club etc, etc. I recently posted on an unrelated facebook group commenting on the fact that actors in period dramas never wear hats - and how does that work legally? I now understand that it's not legally necessary to wear a hat unless you are under 14. I remember that everybody I knew wore a hat, though not always on the ground
. I'm pretty sure competitors would be disqualified if they did not wear a hat. Is my memory of compulsory hat use just because I was a minor at the time? The Facebook group is international and many people said that they never wore a hat unless they were in a context where insurance would come into play. This confused me. I would never, ever get on a horse without a hat. Any comments? If you have read this far, thank you for your patience, and thank you also for the many interesting threads over the years whilst I was lurking.

 

[Cowpony]

I'm not sure if it's legally necessary, but many yards stipulate in their rules that helmets must be worn, and most competitions run under the rules of the relevant body, even if unaffiliated. All the main bodies require helmets to be worn. And it's just common sense!

 

[Wyatt1928]

Thank you. I was quite shocked by the apparent consensus that very few people wore hats - though it was just one thread.

 

[ycbm]

I would have thought it was pretty obvious that people acting in a period drama can't wear a modern standard riding hat? I think there are also legal dispensations for indoor smoking for actors. The hat law for children is only when on the public roads, by the way.

Why does it bother you that period actors haven't got hats on?
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[Wyatt1928]

for the same reason it would bother me if anyone else didn't have a hat on. I do realise that historically they wouldn't. That doesn't stop me from worrying and automatically wondering why they don't. Conditioning, probably.

 

[ycbm]

for the same reason it would bother me if anyone else didn't have a hat on. I do realise that historically they wouldn't. That doesn't stop me from worrying and automatically wondering why they don't. Conditioning, probably.

Why does it bother you if another adult chooses to make the decision, quite legally, not to wear a hat? Lots of people ride without hats. Their choice.
.

 

[Wyatt1928]

because I don't want them to hurt themselves. Of course, they are legally free to, if they think that's an acceptable risk. I have well controlled epilepsy and I swim regularly. I swim in pools with lifeguards. I would have a right to swim in a river if I thought that was an acceptable risk. I don't. I'm surprised that riding without hats is common practice. I didn't realise that.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Id say it is also common sense to wear a hat. Its not about being a good rider or having the safest horse .. its about far too many other idiots on the road that could potentially harm you!

also do not know why this is in bold ???

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Whilst accidents can still happen, the horses used in period dramas are very carefully chosen and most of the shots of riding at speed use stunt/professional riders. The actors do veryite riding in reality and they wl certainly be insured

 

[black and brown]

Her late majesty seemed to get by just fine wearing a head scarf. Whilst this certainly wouldn't be an option for me, it was her choice as an adult. I know several people who ride without a hat, yes it does look strange but not for me to question them.

 

[Barton Bounty]

She did indeed, personally if I was riding on private ground with a supersafe horse then I may not wear one but I wouldnt take the risk on a road etc ?

 

[soloequestrian]

I did some very basic stunt training many years ago. The trainer said that the risk of getting a hat tangled in something else and causing an accident was worse than the risk of hitting your head so we tended not to wear hats. It was great fun.

 

[Birker2020]

I'm sorry if this offends but having had a head injury (blues and twos, intensive care, considerable recovery and life time minor issues as a result) I'd never not ride in a hat.

My accident was in a sand menage with a newish riding hat riding an experienced Grade B sj who fell at a fence.

I know someone who died following a fall wearing a hat she'd borrowed that didn't offer her the fit she required. She hit a kerb on her head after the horse she rode bolted and threw her.

It annoys me to see people on our yard riding without a hat. The excuse "I forgot to put it on" holds no weight with me.

Accidents with head injuries and horse riders are commonplace and no horse is truly bomb proof. I've had about 5 episodes of concussion since that accident in 1996 where I've been knocked out for seconds not minutes but Mum was told by the senor consultant where I was treated at George Elliot that three periods of concussion in a 12 month period can be extremely detrimental.

I personally think livery yards should make it a rule that people shouldn't ride without hats. It tends to be people who ride for a living that skimp on the hat wearing from what I've seen over the past 30 years.

 

[Wyatt1928]

Her late majesty seemed to get by just fine wearing a head scarf. Whilst this certainly wouldn't be an option for me, it was her choice as an adult. I know several people who ride without a hat, yes it does look strange but not for me to question them.

Her late majesty seemed to get by just fine wearing a head scarf. Whilst this certainly wouldn't be an option for me, it was her choice as an adult. I know several people who ride without a hat, yes it does look strange but not for me to question them.

She did, but she would have learnt to ride in approximately the early thirties, when expectations were different/

 

[Wyatt1928]

She did, but she would have learnt to ride in approximately the early thirties, when expectations were different/

 

[Winters100]

On the yard where I am there is a mix, and I would say about 30 or 40% do not use hats as a rule. I do, but I would be lying if I said that I have never got on a horse without. My personal view is that it should be up to the individual, and in the case of children up to their parents. Same as high-viz, back protectors, safety stirrups etc. For me the risk/reward ratio does not really make it worthwhile leaving the hat off, but I don't really consider it any of my business what others do.

 

[Winters100]

for the same reason it would bother me if anyone else didn't have a hat on. I do realise that historically they wouldn't. That doesn't stop me from worrying and automatically wondering why they don't. Conditioning, probably.

But do you feel the same about actors running into burning buildings or driving in a manner which one would not ordinarily use? It seems a bit strange to me to be so worried about a professional adult doing something which is probably quite low risk compared to some other activities.

 

[Wyatt1928]

interesting question. I'm terrified of fire, so yes, I probably would momentarily worry about someone running into a burning building, though I would assume that it was a mockup.. I think not worrying about these things is a little strange also. I think it's particularly acute with horses, because I have no experience of burning buildings or driving but I have fallen off a horse multiple times and I have known people who injured themselves significantly doing so. . Obviously there are lots of people here who have done that and don't feel as I do. My original query here though was less about period dramas and more about whether riding without a hat was common practice, which, strangely, from my point of view but not from others' it does seem to be.

 

[dogatemysalad]

It is only compulsory for children under 14 years to wear a helmet on public roads. However, in practice, most competition venues insist on hats for adults and children. Many livery yards prefer clients to wear hats and some may insist on that whilst using their facilities.
Arguably , the UK is unusual compared to the rest of the world, with its custom of wearing hats for riding.
Personally, I always wear a riding hat so that impressionable youngsters follow suit. Kids always think they're immortal.

 

[black and brown]

This is an interesting discussion. Out of curiosity would the OP expect actors to wear seat belts in a drama like Endeavor when cars of that period weren't fitted with them?

Just to add every yard I've known has always stipulated a hat to be worn when mounted (however, this is not always adhered to!)

 

[Wyatt1928]

I wouldn't expect them to if cars of that period weren't fitted with seatbelts and we could see the seatbelts. However, if we couldn't, I would hope that they would, since that would keep them safe and not interfere with verisimilitude.I would hope that any fast driving would be done in a car with seatbelts. But I'm clearly far too risk averse to work in stunts.

 

[ycbm]

Unless the observer is someone who could be held liable if somebody else injures themselves riding without a hat, it's nobody's business but that person if an adult chooses to ride without a hat.

There are so many things people voluntarily do which could result in harm, but if they choose to do them, that's up to them.
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[Red-1]

I always wear a hat. It was a promise to my mother, who bought me a pony when I was 13 years old. She said she would sell the pony if I were to be seen on a horse with no hat. I took the promise seriously, as a permanent thing.

It used to annoy me to see The Queen with no hat. Yes, it is her decision, but she is a very public figure who people may emulate. I liked that princess Anne always seemed to have a hat on, as did Charles.

I did ride with no hat... I went to America to teach and insisted that all students wore a hat. They complied, it was not necessary legally, but I felt it was only fair to my BHS insurance, who covered me to teach there.

However...

While I was there one year, I competed in a cutting competition. I was not allowed to wear anything but a cowboy hat. Despite being a fully functioning adult, I remembered my promise and actually rang mum to ask for special permission ?which she gave.


I still wear a hat when mounted, and sometimes when handling. I replace mine if I fall and after 5 years. I only ride out with people who wear a hat and anyone who rides my horse wears a hat.

I do not, however, worry about actors in period dramas wearing hats!

It simply isn't my business.

 

[Red-1]

I have a query: do you also get upset when actors jump chasms in burning cars? Or take part in fights?

 

[Dexter]

I dont like it when actors ride motorcycles with no helmets, but never really thought about people riding horses in period costume.

 

[huskydamage]

What about medieval and fantasy films? In lord of the rings Gandalf has no hat and not even any tack! Come to think of it the hobbits aren't wearing high vis either and they ride into oncoming traffic/orcs.. Im disgusted tbh

 

[Red-1]

What about medieval and fantasy films? In lord of the rings Gandalf has no hat and not even any tack! Come to think of it the hobbits aren't wearing high vis either and they ride into oncoming traffic/orcs.. Im disgusted tbh

Yep, I think that puts it into perspective!

 

[Sossigpoker]

because I don't want them to hurt themselves. Of course, they are legally free to, if they think that's an acceptable risk. I have well controlled epilepsy and I swim regularly. I swim in pools with lifeguards. I would have a right to swim in a river if I thought that was an acceptable risk. I don't. I'm surprised that riding without hats is common practice. I didn't realise that.

Well it's their job to worry about their own safety.
Personally I pretty much never see anyone ride without a hat in the amateur circles but I know a lot of professionals do.
Each to their own. I've got enough problems of my own to waste my energy getting worked up about what other people do to their own bodies.

 

[Sossigpoker]

What about cars in TV shows and films not having front seat head rests? Imagine the whiplash and broken neck if they had an accident while filming ?
?‍

 

[huskydamage]

Im sorry... ?