Rant - Riding Without A Hat, WHY?!

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LittleSoph

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I feel that I must be mad because no matter how many horror stories, so many people still do this!!! And I can not understand for the life of me why?!!!

It takes two seconds to put a hat on and fasten it... and it could potentially save your life. Even if you're only riding bareback to the field, or just pootling round the school/up the lane... an accident only takes a split second!
And to all those people who answer with 'I know my horse/have had my horse for years and it's well behaved and never does anything naughty.' Firstly, what rubbish... no horse is 100% predictable and all horses have their moments and secondly... I've several posts about people's horses tripping and falling lately... nobody can forsee this and it's no fault of horse or rider, but such a fall without a hat could be fatal!

I know it's hot, stuffy and uncomfortable but I'm sure your head connecting with the floor would be somewhat more uncomfortable!!

Is anyone else on my wave length or am I just unusually precious about my life and conciousness?
 
But wearing a hat messes up my hair
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I'm with you in the 22/23 years i've been riding i've always worn a hat, but unfortunately some people still dont wear their hat (if they fall off an injure themselves most insurance companies wont cover them if they dont have their hat on - or so i understand!)

i have no idea why people do it, and i'm not sure i really care - its up to them, its the friends and families i feel sorry for, they'll be the ones left picking up the pieces if the worst happens! each to their own - but i certainly dont understand why - i work with the logic - if you dont have your hat with you - dont get on simple!
 
you could say the same about smoking, driving without a seatbelt, binge drinking. Some people think they are invinsible and the only person that will be affected by you stressing about them is you.

Let them get on with it.
 
Its their head so they can decide how to look after it.

I personally ride with a hat as I like my hat
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And its comfy. It also feels like im missing something if I dont wear it.
 
The biggest issue i have is when you see 'professionals' riding without a hat - this is not a good example to young and impressionable children who may see them and copy them, to be honest, any adult, not just a professionals when i think about it. if i had kids and they saw someone riding without a hat, i would point out how stupid and dangerous it is (very loudly)!
 
I just wondered if anyone could fill me in on the thinking behind not wearing one?! I just can't seem to understand what the point is?!

M_G true, but surely it's not beyond comprehension to try and minimise the risk of you dying from falling off your horse? It's already a risky sport, why make that risk higher?

Baileyhoss, I don't do any of those things you mention so I guess I'll never understand! lol!
 
Reasons I have ridden hatless:

Forgot hat
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Friend's child forgot her hat so same size head as me, I gave her mine and took her out for a hack, I rode in a baseball cap
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Rode so many times horses/ponies up from fields bareback in head collars. Never wore hats.
I do usually land on my head if I fall off, and I've always been ok after
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Its their head so they can decide how to look after it.

I personally ride with a hat as I like my hat
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And its comfy. It also feels like im missing something if I dont wear it.

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What she said.

It's a free country, people can do what they darn well like.

I wear one, mainly because I'd get a bollocking if I didn't and I tend to fall off at the most unliklely events.
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I used to ride ponies up bareback/hatless etc but not sure if I would now, it would feel odd.

I don't have any real opinion on people not wearing hats. It's their choice.
 
At the end of the day, it's up to them whether they wear a hat or not.

I have never ridden hatless. To me, it's a no brainer I'd rather keep my brain in one piece
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Much like I wouldn't get on my motorbike without protective wear.
 
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I just wondered if anyone could fill me in on the thinking behind not wearing one?! I just can't seem to understand what the point is?!

M_G true, but surely it's not beyond comprehension to try and minimise the risk of you dying from falling off your horse? It's already a risky sport, why make that risk higher?

Baileyhoss, I don't do any of those things you mention so I guess I'll never understand! lol!

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Because they want to??
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It's more comfortable?

Was it Tia who had a past injury which meant she was more comfortable/safer minus a hat? I may be talking tosh...

I rarely wear a body protector etc, surely that is putting myself at greater risk... do you always wear one?
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To be honest, with older, more mature horses, who I know are much less likely to freak out, no I don't wear a hat.

I compete at high level dressage, where a horse is more likely to have a spaz because of the atmosphere and pressure, I ride in a top hat, which to be honest, offers very little protection. If they made riding hats compulsary at all levels of dressage, then maybe I would readdress my thinking, but right now, its my choice and I'm happy with it.
 
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I just wondered if anyone could fill me in on the thinking behind not wearing one?! I just can't seem to understand what the point is?!

M_G true, but surely it's not beyond comprehension to try and minimise the risk of you dying from falling off your horse? It's already a risky sport, why make that risk higher?

Baileyhoss, I don't do any of those things you mention so I guess I'll never understand! lol!

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I ride hatless occasionally its not against the law & I have no intention of falling off....
I also smoke while riding my horse
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Guess that makes me a really evil person
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For adults I accept that it is down to personal choice - though I would personally never ride without a hat. On our yard though, there is one 13-year old and one 15-year old girl who both ride without hats when it is hot - none of their ponies are mature and reliable, and one girl's mother is a doctor - I have to say it really surprises me that parents let their children ride without a hat, and particularly an adult with medical training who presumably should know better than most the damage that can happen.
 
This is one of my biggest bug bares I have to say. Who has the right to dictate such things to adults on their own horse on their own land (obviously yard rules should be followed etc)?

I'm really sorry and I bet I upset a few people by this but what is the point? We all know the risks etc. So why do people feel the need to rant constantly about other peoples choices?

I am going to admit that 15% of the time I will school without a hat. I compete in beagler which is just the same as riding hatless.
 
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For adults I accept that it is down to personal choice - though I would personally never ride without a hat. On our yard though, there is one 13-year old and one 15-year old girl who both ride without hats when it is hot - none of their ponies are mature and reliable, and one girl's mother is a doctor - I have to say it really surprises me that parents let their children ride without a hat, and particularly an adult with medical training who presumably should know better than most the damage that can happen.

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Now I did think it was a legal requirement for children to wear hats
 
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For adults I accept that it is down to personal choice - though I would personally never ride without a hat. On our yard though, there is one 13-year old and one 15-year old girl who both ride without hats when it is hot - none of their ponies are mature and reliable, and one girl's mother is a doctor - I have to say it really surprises me that parents let their children ride without a hat, and particularly an adult with medical training who presumably should know better than most the damage that can happen.

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Now I did think it was a legal requirement for children to wear hats

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In the highwaycode all people 14 and under must wear hats
 
I have to say that I do look down on everyone who rides without a hat though as they are clearly a bit more stupid than me.

I bet all you hatless people are devastated by not having my respect, but you'll just have to try and soldier on regardless.
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Tinkerbee, no I don't wear a body protector because it has been said that they can do more harm than good in a fall, depending on how you fall.

To all of you saying it's your choice... you're right it is. I just find it a selfish one and feel sorry for your families and those that care about you, if any of you were to fall and sustain an injury that was otherwise avoidable! I've been kicked in the head before, luckily the horses hoof only clipped my head and I was wearing a hat... I wouldn't like to think about how the incident would have left me had I not been.
 
i dont generally 'voice my opinion' on this fourm, and like i have said - each to their own - but i really do hate it when adults do this infront of children who will very often want to and do copy their superiors
 
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For adults I accept that it is down to personal choice - though I would personally never ride without a hat. On our yard though, there is one 13-year old and one 15-year old girl who both ride without hats when it is hot - none of their ponies are mature and reliable, and one girl's mother is a doctor - I have to say it really surprises me that parents let their children ride without a hat, and particularly an adult with medical training who presumably should know better than most the damage that can happen.

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Now I did think it was a legal requirement for children to wear hats

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Even if it is in the school on a private yard?
 
I have personally never ridden without a hat , but then i do rather favour an intact skull
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Even when i was loaning an absolute confidence giver of a pony , totally sweetie , bombproof ect I didnt ride without a hat , even on very hot days !
Hat hair is quite easily fixed with a brush , but it would take alot more than that to mend a broken skull
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Lucy_Poppy, my sentiments exactly! I just don't get it. It'll never fail to be surprised by how niave, selfish and ignorant people can be. The only thing I can think is that people have the 'it'll never happen to me' attitude... which baffles me.
Either that or they simply don't give a sh*t whether they get hurt or not. Again, baffled!
 
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Tinkerbee, no I don't wear a body protector because it has been said that they can do more harm than good in a fall, depending on how you fall.
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And people regularly die despite wearing a riding hat so I don't see why they are seen as the saviour of us all...

If I drive in a car which doesn't have air bags is that stupid and selfish of me?
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I don't see where you can draw the line.
 
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