Rules concerning turbans/riding hats

Birker2020

Birker2020

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My Dads friend’s young nephew who is 14 is coming to the yard this afternoon to see my horse for the first time. He was really interested in hearing Dad relating tales about the horse to his friend and has been pestering my Dad to take him to see the horse ever since! I certainly have no problem with him visiting and stroking my horse, even grooming him if he wants to, but the lad is Indian and as such wears a turban. He was really excited about having a sit on the horse and me lead him around but I don’t feel I can make him take his turban off so he can wear a hat but by the same token I am not really happy him being led round on my horse without wearing a hat. My horse is very big WB, and if my some sheer fluke he did fall off onto his head there would be serious repercussions. No one knows this more than me having suffered from severe concussion following a fall with a hat on. A fellow livery on our yard some years back also died from head injuries following a fall, so I am aware more than most of how serious the implications could be. It’s put me in a bit of an awkward situation to be honest. The lad also wants to start having riding lessons so I am going to recommend the riding school local to me which is excellent, but I presume the riding school wouldn’t let him ride without a hat either. How do you think I best broach the subject to the lad without causing offence to his culture/religion?
 
Most sikhs do understand the protective headgear thing. The most imortant thing religiously is that the hair is covered. Although they are legally exempt from motorbike helmets they more often than not do not take advantage of it! Its just silly but they should have the option. I do doubt a riding school would let him ride hatless because of insurance but i'm willing to bet he'll understand
 
If I were you I'd just explain it straightforwardly. I'm sure he won't be offended - most people are quite understanding. Just say that he will need to wear a riding hat if he wants to ride your horse, and let him decide whether he wants to do that or not. I reckon you'll find that he happily wears the riding hat so he can ride, but that might just be my experience of my Muslim friends... maybe he/his religion are different, I don't know.
 
Perhaps if he signed a waver at the riding school they would allow it?

How about someone lead the horse, with two people on each side to catch him?
 
I would just tell him straight that he will have to wear a hat to ride the horse as that is the way it is for everyone. I’m sure he will not be offended; as others have said, Sikhs do understand rules like this apply and as someone has pointed out, the important point for them is that the hair is covered. No hat, no ride, I’m afraid for me that is the way it is regardless.
 

Personally, I think if he came off wearing a turban, he's be a damn sight more protected than if wearing a hat! I watched the event team at a Novice event a couple of years ago and they were exempt from wearing a hat. The turbans looked a lot more protective!
 
I agree with the others, the important point is for the hair to be covered, it may be that he might want to put the hat on in private where nobody sees his hair. I'm not 100% sure of how it is with sikh men, but I had a muslim friend when I was doing my PhD and it was disrespectful for a member of the opposite sex to see her hair. I don't think he'd be offended, its a safety issue at the end of the day.....
 
when i did a Hat and bodyprotector fitting course with charles owen this subject came up and someone explained that there is such thing as a turban for under hats, never seen one but assume its just a thin cover for the head that goes under helmet.
It would be worth saying this to the child before he comes to the yard to avoid dissapointing him if u do not let him ride without a helmet, which for the record i agree he shouldnt ride with out one!
Hope this helps a little bit...:-)
 
One of the people I used to teach wore what I think you are describing - it knotted the hair below the bottom of the hat (in the same manner of a dressage bun) and was secured with what looked like (and I am sure it wasn't) an elastic band. I think then there was some material over the top of the ehad, but in honesty I never saw him without his hat on so don't know for sure.
 
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