Riding without a hat

[quirky]

Does riding without a riding hat invalidate your insurance if you were to fall off and suffer brain damage (as a worst case scenario)?

This is a hypothetical question, I can't ride without a hat, I feel naked

.

We have a number of people on our yard who ride without a hat, all of the younger generation. That makes me sound old

, I'm not

.

I'm not bold enough to ask them why they choose not to wear a hat, although I am very curious

 

[YorksG]

If not wearing Hi-Viz invalidates your insurance, then I am sure not wearing a hat must! It would surely, at best, reduce the value of any pay out for long term care.

 

[scotsmare]

I think it probably would but you'd need to read all the small print of the policy to be sure.

 

[Silverspring]

Well knowing insurance companies and their ability to get out of pay outs I would say a definite yes.

But to be honest if they are willing to ride without a hat on I'm sure they don't give a flying f*** about brain damage or insurance claims

I am like you, it like driving without a seat belt it seems pointless and unnatural for me.

 

[Nickijem]

I know this subject has arisen before and it is one that completely baffles me. I cannot understand why anyone wouldn't wear a hat. I have ridden many very 'safe' horses but I was still unfortunate enough to be thrown from a 'safe' horse when he stumbled when out cantering along a bridleway. I would have been quite seriously injured if I wasn't wearing a hat.
I think it should invalidate your insurance - I don't see why my premiums should go towards paying for someone who thinks it is 'cool' to be seen without a hat.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

It doesn't state anything about Hi-Viz or hats on my policy.................................What about not having a saddle ???

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Absolutely........................shockingly stupid!!!

 

[Silverspring]

BHS insurance does state Hi-Viz and hat. I don't think it says anything about the saddle, I wouldn't class my saddle as an item for 'safety' I think it's far more a comfort item. I used to to ride bareback all the time (couldn't find a saddle to fit) and I mention this to the BHS rep at a county show and she though it was wonderful, no mention of it voiding the insurance we were discussing at the time.

 

[quirky]

[ QUOTE ]
It doesn't state anything about Hi-Viz or hats on my policy.................................What about not having a saddle ???

[/ QUOTE ]

A saddle is not a peice of safety equipment, a hat is.

 

[Donkeymad]

Although this does not directly relate to a specific insurance policy, Insurers will not insure any situation where the insured is breaking the law.
This page from the online Highway code may answer some of the questions arising here.Although these are a 'shoul'd rather than a 'must' most insurance companies will use it as law.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069853

 

[Silverspring]

To clarify am I breaking the law by taking my horse out with out a saddle...

'Never ride a horse without both a saddle and bridle.'

and if so I'll be calling the police and quoting this reference next time the people with the coloured ponies with no saddle, bridle and ill fitted shoes next turn up in town to hammer their horses up and down public road for sh*ts and giggles (you know who I'm talking about

)

oh and I will stop riding bearback myself, I wouldn't want to be breaking the law with a police officer liveried at my yard

 

[Donkeymad]

No, you are not breaking the law, as I said, it says 'should' it is an advisory not a law. However, Insurance Companies would probably treat it as a law should a claim be made.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I understand that should you receive an injury whilst not wearing a riding hat then any payout by an insurance would be reduced significantly. You have a duty of care & if they decide that you did not do the basics to reduce the possibility of receiving an injury, i.e. wearing a hat. then they will reduce the payout.

This is similar to someone I know who left their car outside on the driveway with the engine running to defrost the car. They were only gone a couple of minutes but their car was gone in one minute. The insurance company did not pay out as they say that reasonable care was not taken of the car.

 

[Nic74]

Does that include the top level dressage riders who ride in those top hat things, instead of proper riding hats...??

They generally don't wear hats in Germany, even for breaking young horses. Why is in only in the UK we get so uptight about these things?? Because we are in a nanny state and have become accustomed to health & safety in everything we do. It's personal choice and so it should be. I wear a hat, but I don't frown upon those who don't.

 

[timmy1977]

i think anyone who rides without a hat must already have a certain amount of brain damage not to be wearing one!

 

[hellspells]

[ QUOTE ]
i think anyone who rides without a hat must already have a certain amount of brain damage not to be wearing one!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think thats a very sweeping statement and very unfair. Although your personnal opinion. I feel everyone has the right to choose. Just as we do as to whether we smoke cigarrettes or drink alcohol - or even walk down a street where we could just end up under a bus.

I compeletly agree that in Germany it is more unusal to ride without than with a hat. Look at those on the hunting field in beaglers on Bowlers.

 

[timmy1977]

thing is it tends to be done more out of vanity or look at me im a good rider i dont have to wear a hat than for any other reason over here, not a good example for kids.

 

[Foxfolly]

[ QUOTE ]
i think anyone who rides without a hat must already have a certain amount of brain damage not to be wearing one!

[/ QUOTE ]

I am 100% with you on this one!! I think it is just madness to risk it. We all accept riding is dangerous and every time we get on we are putting our life in danger so why would you want to increase the risk of a really bad injury??!!

I also think how awful it would be for a persons family if someone died or ended up really badly disabled and unable to look after themself... but it could have been avoided by just wearing a hat!!

I wouldn't dream of going out without one, I also used one when we were covering a mare and also handling youngsters on the ground for breaking!
A friend of a friend was really badly injured just turning a horse out as it reared and caught her on the head, she was on her own and fortunately someone found her, but she now has a permanent brain injury, she has recovered a lot but will never be 100%! Maybe we should wear a hat for more things!!

 

[PeterNatt]

One interesting point is that it is the responsibility of the yard owner to ensure that anyone including visitors are safe while on their yard.

Therefore it is in the interest of yard owners to insist that anyone riding, lunging or even turning out a horse on their premises must wear a hat to the appropriate current standards. (This is were people have run in to problems when someone has had an accident on their premises and have subsequently gone on to make a sucesefull claim in the courts against the owner of the yard).

Every yard owner should have a contract which they issue to their liveries. The yard owners need to be seen to be enforcing this at all times and without exception.

If they don't and an accident occurs on their premises then they can be held liable even if the accident has nothing to do with them. In other words their insurance company may face a claim or in the event of them not having an insurance policy they could be held liable.

Also any staff employed by the yard should only ride out with a hat of the appropriate current standard, hi-viz long sleeved jacket and appropriate boots etc. This is because they are employed by the yard who must ensure that they are safely dressed so as to comply with current Health and Safety requirements.

So to sum up if you are on a yard the owner/manager should protect their interests and incist that you wear appropriate protective wear while on their premises even if you do not wish to do so for whatever reason.

 

[HelBel]

on our yard we are not allowed to ride without hats, its something to do with yard insurance, even if we were allowed to not wear hats i would, how long does it take to pop it on your head?