SHB new Hat ruling :(

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The wife

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I'm really quite upset to see the SHB have ruled for hard hats only. Ladies wearing habits and skull caps just don't have the same appeal, neither do gentlemen in Scarlets and brown tops. Come on SHB give your members a chance to make their own choice. Rant over. :)
 
The wife said:
I'm really quite upset to see the SHB have ruled for hard hats only. Ladies wearing habits and skull caps just don't have the same appeal, neither do gentlemen in Scarlets and brown tops. Come on SHB give your members a chance to make their own choice. Rant over. :)
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Seconded.
 
MadBlackLab said:
I can see both sides of the story. Yes the traditional look does look best but then safety does have to come first
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You could argue that in eventing it can be proven that X number of rotational falls occur and injury/death will definitely be reduced by insisting on BP's. Where is the evidence that the Showing scene is littered with those suffering head injuries because they preferred a bowler hat?
 
My uncle is currently lying partially paralysed in hospital after falling off a horse a month ago and landing head first, had he not been wearing his helmet (which did split during the fall due to pressure) he would be dead now...That hat saved his life.

I know we take risks anyway having horses, but if helmets can help reduce severe injuries to head/neck/brain damage then thats the main thing.
 
Spot_On said:
My uncle is currently lying partially paralysed in hospital after falling off a horse a month ago and landing head first, had he not been wearing his helmet (which did split during the fall due to pressure) he would be dead now...That hat saved his life.

I know we take risks anyway having horses, but if helmets can help reduce severe injuries to head/neck/brain damage then thats the main thing.
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This^^^^

Millymincepie said:
You could argue that in eventing it can be proven that X number of rotational falls occur and injury/death will definitely be reduced by insisting on BP's. Where is the evidence that the Showing scene is littered with those suffering head injuries because they preferred a bowler hat?
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Maybe showing doesn't have such a high level of head injuries but horse riding whatever form is a dangerous and we should try and reduce the risk of injuries.
 
Sorry, all you traditionalist showing diehards, but this is inevitable. I have always found it quite strange that people will ride wearing an ornamental hat when there are alternatives which are functional as well as decorative.

Head injuries are not trivial. It may well be your friends and relatives who have to pick up the pieces if you insist on wearing inadequate headgear.

It needs an adjustment of what people consider to be 'elegant', but in time wearing a proper hat will become the new normal. Not all traditions are based in practicality.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Sorry, all you traditionalist showing diehards, but this is inevitable. I have always found it quite strange that people will ride wearing an ornamental hat when there are alternatives which are functional as well as decorative.

Head injuries are not trivial. It may well be your friends and relatives who have to pick up the pieces if you insist on wearing inadequate headgear.

It needs an adjustment of what people consider to be 'elegant', but in time wearing a proper hat will become the new normal. Not all traditions are based in practicality.
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this ^^^^
 
I fell off in the school while riding on the flat, I landed on my head, fractured my vertebrae in 2 places and bruised my brain. I was told my hat saved me from a coma if not worse.

I do love tradition but is it really worth it as the expense of your life?
 
Don't get me wrong I wear my crash hat every single time I get on a horse, even on the old hunter who nobody has ever fallen off when at home but the new rule is ridiculous. If should be entirely up to the rider what they wear. The sister shows throughout the season at top level and chooses to wear her hard hat for youngsters and the sharper animals but will always choose her beagler over the BS standard hat for the older animals, especially in championship classes as the whole picture is ruined by the glaring straps and none flattering fit of Standard hats, it's health and safety gone mad, why can't the rider choose what they wear based upon the animal they are riding? What next compulsory point 2 jackets while mounted?

Don't even get me started on the silly 17% figure for go around markings for WH classes. Who came up with that? That's a whole new thread... ;)
 
I dont think the new rule is 'ridiculous' at all, its been 'in' for just about every other showing classes for quite a time.

Its not H&S 'gone mad' but the society actually coming into the 21st century for competitors.

There was uproar back in the 1990's (yes, that long ago!) when it became mandatory for NPS, BSPS and P(UK) classes, not just children but also adults.

Riders can choose to wear what they like at home.........
 
As a medic I'm obviously on the side is compulsory hat safety

The other things is as a group don't you think we cost the nhs enough money??!!
I know I have 2x ankle replacements at £16k each! And another revision of similar price next week

A simple fracture of the hand

Imagine how much brain surgery and nursing costs. Then if you don't recover 24hr a day nursing costs


The original surgery to put it back together
 
Yes I see both sides of the coin but why can't they leave it to the individual? Change the ruling to hard hats are advised or Christ, even penalise those that choose not to wear one but don't stop us entirely from wearing our traditional attire.
 
The wife said:
Yes I see both sides of the coin but why can't they leave it to the individual? Change the ruling to hard hats are advised or Christ, even penalise those that choose not to wear one but don't stop us entirely from wearing our traditional attire.
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Because the society NEED to adhere to H&S, they will require persons to be fully conforming so the society can continue to obtain insurance cover and thus still be able to hire venues etc........

Do you want to not wear a seat belt in your car OP - after all its just SO traditional not to even have one fitted...
 
The Xmas Furry said:
Because the society NEED to adhere to H&S, they will require persons to be fully conforming so the society can continue to obtain insurance cover.

Do you want to not wear a seat belt in your car OP - after all its just SO traditional not to even have one fitted...
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Agree^^^

Also if some riders wear 'traditional' head gear and others wear safety head gear will judges favour one group of riders over the other
 
Hippona said:
How about....if you choose to wear your pretty hat and get your head mashed in, the paramedics doctors and nurses can choose to leave you lying in a heap on the ground?
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I'd be quite interested to see the statistics on serious head injuries whilst in the show ring. I can imagine the numbers will show one has more chance of mashing the head up falling down the stairs after one too many ports than taking a tumble in a ladies hunter class.
 
I'd be the first to support the rider's right to choose in private but not at a public event, where other people may have to deal with scraping bits of your head off the dirt.

Even less so if the rider's reason is for vanity. A fit horse with good conformation and knowing how to ride it, is all that's needed to look good even when wearing a helmet secured by a harness.
 
The wife said:
Yes I see both sides of the coin but why can't they leave it to the individual? Change the ruling to hard hats are advised or Christ, even penalise those that choose not to wear one but don't stop us entirely from wearing our traditional attire.
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Sorry, but some people need to be protected from their vanity. It will soon become the norm in the showing world. Hat refusits can carry on wearing their toy hats at home, and on the hunting field, if they wish.
 
The wife said:
I'd be quite interested to see the statistics on serious head injuries whilst in the show ring. I can imagine the numbers will show one has more chance of mashing the head up falling down the stairs after one too many ports than taking a tumble in a ladies hunter class.
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But the end of the day a horse is a horse and can be unpredictable. Anyway no use arguing over it as its the rule now
 
Perhaps their insurance renewal has been written to say riders must be wearing protective head gear... If you want these competitions to continue at the best they can, abide by the rule.
 
The wife said:
I'd be quite interested to see the statistics on serious head injuries whilst in the show ring. I can imagine the numbers will show one has more chance of mashing the head up falling down the stairs after one too many ports than taking a tumble in a ladies hunter class.
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There was a lady who was killed in an in hand class when her horse...who she had bred herself...reared for the first time EVER.
Just because it's unlikely or less likely than a different scenario doesn't mean it won't or can't happen'.
All you can do is reduce the risk.
 
Hippona said:
How about....if you choose to wear your pretty hat and get your head mashed in, the paramedics doctors and nurses can choose to leave you lying in a heap on the ground?
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How about we also refuse to treat the obese for conditions related to their overheating? Or smokers for any kind of respiratory ailment? Excellent idea - would save the NHS a fortune!!!
 
I rarely do showing so have no personal axe to grind. But, you can reduce or eliminate risk by never doing anything at all. Risk assessments should be just that, an assessment of realistic risk, not a chance that the sky might fall down on us. And I am a nurse, a large proportion of our ills are self inflicted.
 
MerrySherryRider said:
I'd be the first to support the rider's right to choose in private but not at a public event, where other people may have to deal with scraping bits of your head off the dirt.

Even less so if the rider's reason is for vanity. A fit horse with good conformation and knowing how to ride it, is all that's needed to look good even when wearing a helmet secured by a harness.
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Yes, this. Safety over vanity.

Edited to add, I think anyone who chooses to not wear a hat is pretty stupid though. I knew someone whose placid horse tripped out hacking, she fell off, horse accidentally stood on her head. Her hat saved her life.

I've never had a serious fall, I've had my most serious horsey injuries from the ground, but it wouldn't make me think I have no chance of injury..
 
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I think proper hats should be mandatory at all competitions but is it not possible for manufacturers to make something that still looks like a bowler etc but that is safer?
 
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