Riding without a hat?

jacket potatoes or roast potatoes?

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Sorry folks but it's not quite true that to ride without a hat is the rider's decision alone. The consequences of riding without a hat can include Air Ambulance rescue, standard ambulance rescue, 10 hour neurosurgery, bed in a neurology ward for anything up to a year, home care, special housing needs etc etc etc. Who on earth do you think pays the thousands upon thousands of £££s involved here? The good old taxpayer. AND it can take up a bed and resources that someone else needed. I know we ALL have accidents on horses, in cars, crossing the street etc but where the accident is AVOIDABLE, I think we all have an obligation to take all reasonable, sensible precautions. There's no such thing as a free lunch folks.

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Well, there are also smokers, alcoholics (and people who just get completely rat-@rsed on a night out and need their stomach pumped), casual drug users who OD as well as addicts, people who get into fights, people who drink-drive, etc, etc who I think are a greater burden on the NHS and tax payers than people who don't wear riding hats. All those situations are avoidable too.
 
Last time I looked GB was a free country - but it seems with all these new laws coming in smoking, hunting etc the government doesn't want it to stay free. My horse and my life, I have private healthcare as the incompetence at my local hospital is disgusting. Also its a good 1hour away so no use! That said I do respect my YM's position if I was to be injured should I fall without my hat on. But there are times like on 3hour hacks when it does get uncomfortable. Because I'm so small and my horse is so big I cant mount from the ground so I've learnt pony club stylee not to fall off.
 
Smokers and drinkers pay direct taxation on their habbits, drug use etc. is all illegal. The arguments about riding without hats are exactly the same as the bikers had about not wearing helmets in the '70s, while horse riders may not be called donors in A&E we are not far behind bikers in injury levels. Having worked with people with acquired brain injury there is no way I would ride without a hat.
 
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Well, there are also smokers, alcoholics (and people who just get completely rat-@rsed on a night out and need their stomach pumped), casual drug users who OD as well as addicts, people who get into fights, people who drink-drive, etc, etc who I think are a greater burden on the NHS and tax payers than people who don't wear riding hats. All those situations are avoidable too.

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That doesn't mean it doesn't matter! Personally I think wearing a hat is like wearing a seatbelt in a car. 99 times out of 100 you don't need it - but that time you do, if you didn't put it on it's too late to change your mind afterwards.
 
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But there are times like on 3hour hacks when it does get uncomfortable. Because I'm so small and my horse is so big I cant mount from the ground so I've learnt pony club stylee not to fall off.

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This argument is the one that most shocks me - The 'Oh it's uncomfortable/hot wearing a hat'. I have to say I really do think it would be a whole lot more uncomfortable having brain damage/a head injury or losing your life. This argument just does not stand up. Can you hear how inadequate this reason for not wearing a hat is??
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And to say you are not going to fall off - Well that is crazy. Everyone runs the risk of falling off whenever they get on a horse. If you don't accept that you are deluding yourself.
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lol whatever love I'm no deluded I've ridden since I could walk and its like second nature with me. Okay you try wearing your hat all day for like 10 hours and then come back on here and say that you didn't take it off! Its my desicion and I'm not letting someone who doesn't even know me put me down about it. I wasn't saying that I'm not going to fall off, I'm just saying that I've developed a better seat and balance to lower my risk of falling off! Derrr!
 
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lol whatever love I'm no deluded I've ridden since I could walk and its like second nature with me.

Fair enough you've been riding for eons, but that doesn't make you immune to falling off does it??
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Okay you try wearing your hat all day for like 10 hours and then come back on here and say that you didn't take it off! Its my desicion and I'm not letting someone who doesn't even know me put me down about it.

I think you are taking this far too personally.....Yes it's your choice, but you are not invincible, and if you have a nasty head injury the impact/influence will not rest with you alone - There will be others involved in the consequences.
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I wasn't saying that I'm not going to fall off, I'm just saying that I've developed a better seat and balance to lower my risk of falling off! Derrr!

Actually you said that 'you had learnt pony club stylee not to fall off' - You didn't say you had lowered your risk of falling off. And there's no need for the 'Derrr' thanks very much
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I can see that you will carry on hatless and I just wish you the best of luck and hope that you never pay a price for that choice.

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there was a piece about in the paper today about someone struggling to obtain nursing care for their mother. She has been left severely and permanently disabled after a fall from a horse and wasn't wearing a hat.
As a consequence of the head injury she is now doubly incontinent, requires 24 hour nursing care, is fed through a tube and is in a permanent vegetative state
(Despite this her family are still struggling to get 24 hour funding for her care and the majority of the burden is falling to them)

Actually with regards to the poster who talks of "having private healthcare due to incompetence of the local hospital" in an accident you would be taken to the nearest A & E not the nearest private suite!
 
I know that lots of riders have healthcare insurance for themselves, so think that should they not wear a hat, fall off, get a bad head injury, then they will be covered. Does anybody know if their insurance actually covers them if they are riding without a hat? there is quite likely, although I don't know, some small print that means you must wear a hat and that your insurance would be void in such an instance.
You could then be left out of pocket whilst not working, or get no compenastion to pay for the care you might require for the rest of your life.
Personally, I wouldn't ride without a hat, but anyone else, their choice.
 
there are many dangerous things in life, and you all avoid them? Never drive without seatbelt, never ride a bike without helmet? No skiing, hill climbing and so on? All the same questions, and I dont tell you if you should go skiing or not, isnt it???
 
i think it is very irresponsible of all riders that do not wear a riding hat, i know of at least 3 very experienced riders over the last 20 years who with their hats on had very nasty falls, 1 was in a coma for 6wks and the other 2 have been left with life lasting difficulties. had these riders not had a hat on they wouldnt be here today.
 
I can't believe people can say oh it's uncomfortable, I've been riding so long I know what I'm doing. I ride for 4 + hours a day at work and then ride my ned after and I would never ride without a hat. It is like not wearing a seatbelt. When I rode in Australia on the track we had to wear body protectors and hats in the blazing heat no excuses and I never had a problem with my hat. It obviously doesn't fit if it's uncomfortable. I can only use champion hats as my head is a funny shape so maybe those that are uncomfortable in their current hat should try changing make. I don't think it fair on your family or friends to put yourself at risk like that.
 
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there was a piece about in the paper today about someone struggling to obtain nursing care for their mother. She has been left severely and permanently disabled after a fall from a horse and wasn't wearing a hat.

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Out of curiosity, which paper was it?
 
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Does anybody know if their insurance actually covers them if they are riding without a hat?

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I know for a fact that most insurance people, including my own, will not pay out if you are not wearing a hat. You also won't be covered if you have an accident on the road and your horse isn't wearing a bridle - little known piece of information - always read the small print!
 
i ride my sec A without a hat but no other horse!! i honestly trust my little man with my life, he's never raised a hoof at anyone or anything!!

but i hate seeing people wearing a hat but not done up???!!!! why bother??!!!
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No matter how much you trust your horse, what happens if he/she trips up??? Happens all the time. Then you're screwed.
Personally (not aimed at you sophie im using QR) but personally I think ANYONE who doesn't wear a hat in this country where there is no "its too hot" argument is LAZY and STUPID and nobody will convince me otherwise. There is no decent argument for it "oooh well its uncomfortable" mm how uncomfortable would a kicked in skull be? It's just ridiculous. Anyone on here can argue whatever you like against that but in my eyes its lazy and stupid and undisciplined.
 
This debate is so old, and nobody will ever shift one person to the other side of the fence.
End of the day, you are allowed to drive an ATV on the road without a helmet by law, and you are allowed to ride a horse without a hat.
The general attitude of equestrianism today is pro BHS aprvd hats, and that has, in recent years, gotten everywhere, even the hound parades at the country shows state that EVERY mounted person must wear a hard hat, I know the GYS in recent years stated in the sched. that all grooms and handlers of in hand horses must wear a hat.
However, you will have some people at home that just don't- its their choice, most old enough and ugly enough to know the risks- so why let this debate circle around again?
I think the same about all risks in life- if people are well informed- why keep on at them- horses as a sport are a risk.
 
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No matter how much you trust your horse, what happens if he/she trips up??? Happens all the time. Then you're screwed.
Personally (not aimed at you sophie im using QR) but personally I think ANYONE who doesn't wear a hat in this country where there is no "its too hot" argument is LAZY and STUPID and nobody will convince me otherwise. There is no decent argument for it "oooh well its uncomfortable" mm how uncomfortable would a kicked in skull be? It's just ridiculous. Anyone on here can argue whatever you like against that but in my eyes its lazy and stupid and undisciplined.

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Thank you Kayleigh for those words of wisdom. I totally agree.

And Sophie, I agree it is really odd to see people wearing a hat without the chinstrap done up - I often see the famous SJers on TV undoing their chinstrap after their round but before they dismount. It seems to be 'the thing' to do......but why??? I don't get that at all.
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I always wear a hat when riding and usually when lunging. I've even worn my hat on occassion when leading a horse out to the field. It's not that I'm particularly nervous, I just feel safer with my hat on. You only have to read stories like this one to see why it's a good thing to do.

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/local-news?articleid=3087611

I'm on a big livery yard with a large number of adults and children. Hats and boots MUST be worn there at all times while mounted. I think this is a reasonable rule and sets a good example for the younger riders.

If adults choose to ride without a hat elsewhere that's their choice but I don't like to see photos of riders without hats in publications such as H&H (not often in the features but still in the classifieds) as these magazines are read by children. Also, I never really understood why some people bother to wear hats with the strap undone - might as well not wear one at all.
 
Nope never have, never will! just doesnt fell right to me! Also on a RS yard (pickles on working livery) there is no choice! You wear hat or you leave yard. We are also required to wear hats when catching or turning out horses, just so they can get lower insurance
 
Have been riding for 43 years and have never ridden without a hat - chinstrap done up. I've seen too many accidents happen to people with 'bombproof' horses who aren't proof against events outwith their control. To make an informed choice about whether or not to wear a hat, riders should be fully aware of the possible consequences of not wearing one. As many posters here have pointed out, it's not just family who will bear the brunt of your death or serious injury.

I had this discussion the other day with the daughter of my YO who was setting out on a road hack with her flighty TB mare, hatless because she'd 'just washed her hair'. Tell that to the staff at A&E.
 
Yes Ive ridden without a hat before, have forgot to put it on a few times while schooling, only to realise 30mins later Im not wearing it!

Would always wear a hat to hack or do roadwork though.
 
I always ride a hat.
Had a nasty accident riding a horse (who up to that point had been 100% in every way and i trusted alot) was schooling in the menage, horse got spooked by something, took off at a galllop, attempted to jump out of the menage (6ft fencing) went through the top rail of the fence, and fell on landing, sumersaulting on impact, horse got up without a scratch on him, I landed head first onto gravel, i Have scars on my arm, spent 6 hours strapped to a spinal board and was able to turn my hat inside out afterwards, but the only injury i got to my head was a small gravel rash on one cheak.
My hat saved my life, and hats have saved the lives of many others i know.

I always wear a seat belt and i always wear a helmet on a bike as well.

Oh and ive also worked with people with aquired brain injuries due to falls from horses, For those of you who dont wear a hat let me ask you this do you want to end up with a mental age of less then 3? have to have your bottom wiped for you and be fed by a nurse for the rest of your life? be placed in an EMI unit at the grand old age of 38? spend the rest of your life becomeing violent over the fact that your soap is one inch out of place? Have your family watch as your life disintergrates around you? or worse have your family have to do all that for you because they cant get funding? Ive worked with people like that and think that had they had thier hats on they probably would at least be able to function in normal society. Think about it. Its not just about you, how about your family? your parents? your siblings? Should you get hurt the burden will fall to them and if they cant get funding they could loose everything they have too.

If you continue riding without a hat haveing thought about it (£600 a week is about average for MI places) then i believe you are incredibly selfish.

as for not wearing a hat because its uncomfortable, if its uncomfortable then it doesnt fit right, ive worn mine for 12 hours+ (goes on before a show when the ponies go on the ramp and doesnt come off till the ponies come off the ramp at home) and never felt it. Yes i may look a bit of a wally wearing it whilst sitting in the cab, but i have a bad traveler who freaks for no reason and sometimes i have all of 30 secs to get in there and calm him down.
 
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