SHB new Hat ruling :(

rach1 said:
This thread is really interesting to see the debate between the traditionalists and those pro-hat. I am pro hat, even more so following my accident 3 weeks ago. I fell off after my horse spooked while schooling on the flat. I fell on to my head and my hat saved me from a coma if not worse. Luckily, I just bruised my brain, but I also fractured my neck and I spent over 24 hours strapped to a bed.

What makes me really sad is those who think 'it won't happen to me' or the 'if it does so be it' attitude. There were 2 things that I've taken away from my accident, (apart from how lucky I was to be able to walk away), I was petrified of calling my parents to tell them I was in A&E with a serious injury, and the 4 days where I was totally dependent on the nurses and my family. It was completely undignified and it gave me a shock view into what it's like to be completely dependent on everyone else. My poor boyfriend was completely devastated at the thought that when he had to feed me my lunch, that could have been it for the rest of my life. On a practical note, I've been out of work since and I will be out for nearly 3 months, plus I can't drive due to this and can't get to the yard even if I physically could look after my horse. Luckily, he's well looked after for me.

It only takes one small moment to change your life, why waste it over the sake of wearing a pretty hat?
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This says it all.
 
Best get myself a point two for showing my hack next season...
I think, while perhaps it was inevitable, it is a very sad state of affairs...
I hope the BSHA do not follow suit.
 
Hetsmum said:
I get that. I really do. However in showing if you leave it to the individual to decide on the hat you might get say 50% new hat, 50% traditional. When two horses are at the top of the field and the judge is hard pressed to chose between them, the judge (being of a certain age) will be drawn to the nice traditional picture of the competitor wearing the traditional hat. Thereby not putting all competitors on a level playing field. "New hats" would be penalised for trying to save their brains which for me is just not fair. I chose to wear a proper safety hat harness and all...... If you chose to go hatless outside the competitive world then that's your choice. The safety consious should not be penalised.
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Cortez - I completely agree with you. Has to be a matter of choice same as smoking, eating donuts, skiing with no helmet, running for the bus when the pavement is wet and 40,000 other things. Surely this ruling is because of insurance aka H&S gone mad - again. I always ride in a racing crash hat, but hunt in my made for me and perfectly fitting bowler, unless on one of the pointers - who are unpredictable. That is my choice - not anyone else's.

Hetsmum - if you are really saying that a show judge will award a place or not on the basis of hats (if both allowed in the rule book) then you have amply illustrated my long held view that showing is a complete waste of time. I don't believe that a proper judge would do that and, if they gave it as a reason, should be struck off.
 
And what about top hats in international Eventing dressage ? Some riders wear a crash cap, other toppers. Makes no difference to the marks as far as I can see, but is a matter of choice. The toppers look fab, and have never seen anyone get injured in the dressage section.
 
I said it before... Like it or lump it...

What you do at home is your choice, wear a hat don't wear a hat whatever you want... But if you're going to a competition organised by someone else, you abide by their rules... Or don't go, stay at home and leave your hat off!

I'm never ever planning on riding without my hat. I'd hate if something happened to me that could have been avoided had I worn a hat, for me and my family. my insurance wouldn't cover me if I wasn't wearing my hat, and I could easily become a bourdon on my family and all other tax payers. Hats aren't a 'failsafe' but could make a real difference.
 
madlady said:
And if the choices you think should be allowed go through then should the NHS also have the choice not to treat you because you failed to make sure you were safe doing something that is known to be a high risk sport?

I'm sorry but I really don't have much time or patience for people who choose to put themselves at unecessary risk.
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Getting on a horse every day is technically an unnecessary risk.
 
atouchwild said:
Best get myself a point two for showing my hack next season...
I think, while perhaps it was inevitable, it is a very sad state of affairs...
I hope the BSHA do not follow suit.
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Don't forget your elbow and knee pads too for those hacks. Dangerous little critters if provoked. Perhaps it should have a padded headpiece too on its browband in case it puts you and itself into a wall. ;)
 
To all of you on this thread who have been injured, my best wishes.

To all those getting in a total state about wearing a hat, not quite sure what to think. To quote some of the wisdom Tarrsteps has given on here, "is it really such a big deal???"
 
I think many of the "traditionalists" are missing the point here though. When you choose not to wear a hat whilst riding at home you do so at your own risk. When you choose not to wear a hat at a show you do so at the organiser's risk. Is it fair to place that burden on somebody else?

That is not to mention the possible NHS/taxpayer implications.

One might argue that it is selfish not to wear a hat at a competition. Organising teams do sterling work to balance entertainment/enjoyment with safety and minimising risk.

Why would you willingly undermine those efforts for the sake of vanity?

If you want to avoid wearing a hat, just stay at home.
 
People moan of entry fees at shows too...

I have helped run and organise (unaffiliated) shows before. A vast proportion of entry fees went towards covering for appropriate insurance for the event and also paying for paramedics to be on scene for the day should an accident occur.
 
Im not sure how this thread got so long!
The rule has been made

Like any change anywhere people will bit*h and moan but in the end pretty much everyone will toe the line
 
Little bit late to the party here I know but I think the people who are 'anti hat' so to speak are only thinking that way because it seems a case of where will it end. For example, obviously I am sympathetic to those who have suffered awful injuries from falling but riding is a risk sport and the other side of the coin from the excitement we get out of it is the severity of injuries that can potentially happen.
What irritates me slightly are the scare mongerers who always seem to have a tale of woe about someone they know or themselves riding something 'reliable' 'at walk', 'out hacking' etc and their lives were all saved by whatever piece of safety equipment you are trying to promote (hats, body protectors, point 2s, high vis....the list goes on). Well here's one for you- I happen to know someone who's horse tripped out hacking, she fell off face first knocking all her front teeth out resulting in pain, an inability to eat anything other than soup and a hefty dentist's bill- should we all have to wear face guards like they do in polo for riding slowly on the flat? According to the people on this thread yes because it has happened ONCE and it could happen AGAIN.
I take the insurance argument into account but I don't really see why if the society gives people the choice how they would be penalised for someone having a head injury? That may be me being ignorant of insurance laws but it seems a tenuous reason to me.
Finally, regardless of all this, I am an adult as are all the people competing in these shows and we all have a right to choose to protect ourselves or not. I don't honestly think hats should be compulsory for adults in any discipline because we are all capable of weighing up the risks and making a decision- if this came into effect I don't think you'd see many people flying round Badminton hatless because the riders are mainly sensible.
 
Anyone that wants an insight into living as a dependent person should read Melanie Reid's story, granted she was wearing a hat, her injury was back related, but if it helps one person realise the devastation being so hurt would cause then posting this was worth it.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/profile/Melanie-Reid

This isn't a made up tale of woe, or scaremongering, it's one women's story.
 
Makes me sad to see people favouring vanity over safety. I wouldn't wish anyone in the world the head injury I've had (non-riding accident), the surgery, the recovery process... wouldn't you rather be here to live to tell the tale than take the risk and lose your life over fashion? :(
 
I've looked after someone with a brain injury non riding related and I can ensure you from the family point of view it is distressing and hard work for them. This person didn't choose to be like this it was just an accident but him and his family now have to suffer. The people who choose vanity over safety are not looking at the wider picture for you or your family your choosing to put yourself and your family through hell should the worse happen
 
I always wear a hat and I agree that it is perfectly reasonable to require the wearing of one in a particular competition. However, I have sympathy too with Milly and others. As adults we have to take responsibility for our own actions and it makes me a little nervous that if the H&S / Insurance brigade go much further they will be banning horseriding altogether. After all, it is a risky sport as others have said. I have sympathy for anyone who has suffered a head injury and agree that it must be awful for those looking after them. Personally I would not want to be responsible for that but I take that chance every time I ride even though I wear a hat. Sadly they are not failsafe.
I do like the look of the swedish airbag hat though!
 
A good old hat debate /bun fight ,you cant beat it for its entertainment value. I just wish that the pro hat people wernt so brainwashed by the hat manufacturers. The modern crash hat is a very third rate product ,the testing of which ,and the approval of which were arranged by the manufacturers. They have neatly avoided the rather unfortunate problem that the hats transfer prettymuch the full impact ,by the simple expedient of not testing for it. Rach1 ,the reason you bruised your brain and fractured your neck was because your hat was about as much use as a chocolate teaspoon,when it comes to absorbing the energy from a direct blow. The hat manufacturers dont tell you that unfortunate truth because they wouldnt be able to cheaply mass produce them .It is now so crazy ,that if a hat manufacturer designed a better hat,they couldnt get it approved because the testing was designed to suit the existing product.
 
Cortez said:
Here we go again..........the hat Nazis in full hysterical force. If you want to wear a super dooper oh-so-safe hat then go right ahead. If I choose not to do so you can shake your head, tut, think I'm an idiot, worry about my future abilities to arse-wipe, whatever, but please, just let me get on with it. If wearing a hat is a requirement I can decide whether to enter that particular class or not, but it is MY CHOICE. I will not automatically become brain damaged, and a hat will not give you unlimited protection if you do land on your bonce - people still have injuries and even die when wearing a safety helmet. I'm glad some people realise that the driving force behind enforcing helmet wearing is the insurance industry; it has little to do with the probabilities of competitors actually falling off. I, like the Queen and probably the majority of riders worldwide, prefer not to wear a hat; most people in the UK prefer to wear one; good for you. Leave me alone.
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The "hat Nazis" are being hysterical? In which case what are you being? Psychotic? Calling people "Nazis" for agreeing with a hat wearing rule in an activity you chose to join in, is not just offensive but really poor logic. Simply sticking "Nazis" to a position you disagree with doesn't really make an argument it merely offends everyone, from the people who were actual victims of the Nazis to everyone you so casualy associate with them.

So you want to enter a class of your CHOICE with rules of your CHOICE...don't we all?! Why not join a governing body of your CHOICE then? One that doesn't require you to wear hats? That way we could all be world champions in the discipline of our CHOICE!

Sure, sure a 40% reduction in head injuries since hard hats were introduced and the fact that riding head injuries are no longer the top cause of paediatric injury is really a fiction made up by the insurance industry because...hold on, what exactly does the insurance industry have to gain by making us wear hats if there is no reduction in risk?

Oh the Queen, right, you and the Queen. Why didn't you say so from the start?! If it's you and your pal the Queen then that makes it all right. I am sure the SHB will reverse their decision now that your Majesties are clearly unhappy with it.
 
Tiddlypom said:
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.

Not all traditions are based in practicality.
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Exactly this. Cortez - you sound so selfish thinking its all about YOUR choice but what about the choice of your family and friends?! To choose literally a piece of fabric to wear on your head as opposed to a proper riding hat purely because its traditional is insane. Its your family and friends lives who will be ruined when you fall off, smash your brain and end up being brain damaged. Brains are damn important things for goodness sake, you're all crazy to be moaning about this...

So many traditions are ridiculous in todays equestrian world. I don't know why horsey people are so keen to remain in the olden days when all other sports are embracing being modern. Until we start acting like sportspeople then riding will never be given the respect it deserves IMO.

No its not a "right" to be given the choice, these venues and societies have to try and ensure everyones safety as much as possible. None of us feel grumpy about wearing a hat and body protector for XC yet they never used to wear anything protective many years ago when XC was invented (by the cavalry wasn't it?). Times change, follow the rules or don't compete.
 
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:) Booboos.

Just to clarify, ' the insurance industry' and 'safety' are not separate issues. The whole point of the insurance industry is to assess risk and gamble on the likelihood of a particular outcome. The reason riding related policies are affected by helmet wearing is because the risk of a serious long term disability is significantly statistically increased if a rider is not wearing a helmet, which means the premiums have to be so huge as to potentially cover that risk. Or companies can simply refuse coverage completely, if their statistical analysis is dire enough. The problem for an organisation is it's not just 'your choice', the choice affects all the members as it affects the organisation as a whole.

As to opting out of health care, that's not possible. Socialised medicine does not work like that, thank god. Of course, we could always go with the American model and rely on litigation as our primary method of universal health care. Because that doesn't have any implications at all for sport. . .

I'm not all that bothered about the actual hat question but to say the organisation is making these decisions just to rain on people's personal parades is unfair and shows a very shaky understanding of how the modern world works. Nobody's rights are being taken away and, honestly, if a reasonable request to take safety precautions while under the auspices of an organisation with very limited resources is the 'right' that gets you wound up the most. . . .
 
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So, I guess our armed forces should go back to wearing armour, builders etc can ditch those silly yellow helmets and don their flat caps and don't get me started on motorcycle helmets!
It's a HAT, you will wear for possibly 1 hour a few times a year, is it such a big deal!
 
Booboos said:
The "hat Nazis" are being hysterical? In which case what are you being? Psychotic? Calling people "Nazis" for agreeing with a hat wearing rule in an activity you chose to join in, is not just offensive but really poor logic. Simply sticking "Nazis" to a position you disagree with doesn't really make an argument it merely offends everyone, from the people who were actual victims of the Nazis to everyone you so casualy associate with them.

So you want to enter a class of your CHOICE with rules of your CHOICE...don't we all?! Why not join a governing body of your CHOICE then? One that doesn't require you to wear hats? That way we could all be world champions in the discipline of our CHOICE!

Sure, sure a 40% reduction in head injuries since hard hats were introduced and the fact that riding head injuries are no longer the top cause of paediatric injury is really a fiction made up by the insurance industry because...hold on, what exactly does the insurance industry have to gain by making us wear hats if there is no reduction in risk?

Oh the Queen, right, you and the Queen. Why didn't you say so from the start?! If it's you and your pal the Queen then that makes it all right. I am sure the SHB will reverse their decision now that your Majesties are clearly unhappy with it.
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Completely agree with everything Booboos!
 
Mike007 said:
Rach1 ,the reason you bruised your brain and fractured your neck was because your hat was about as much use as a chocolate teaspoon,when it comes to absorbing the energy from a direct blow. The hat manufacturers dont tell you that unfortunate truth because they wouldnt be able to cheaply mass produce them .It is now so crazy ,that if a hat manufacturer designed a better hat,they couldnt get it approved because the testing was designed to suit the existing product.
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I agree that hat companies cannot mass produce higher quality hats which cost a lot more, as the price affordable won't be affordable for the masses, but some protection is better than none. My trauma neuro consultant told me that I was very wise to be wearing a hat, as although it didn't save me from the injuries I picked up, it prevented me having much more server brain trauma and I would have indefinitely been worse for not wearing.

People can't eliminate risk from horse riding or life in general, but we choose to mitigate the risk where we can by choosing to wear hats.
 
The thing that really makes me angry is that competion hats could be much better ,but for the vested interests in the hat industry.
 
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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Exactly!

I have shown to top level, was in fact on the judging panel of one society for several years and interestingly I ended up always wearing my hat with a strap through choice because of the badly behaved horses I was expected to ride.

I love tradition and have shown many horses side saddle but I cannot agree that it is personal choice, simply because if you have an accident which results in a head injury it is not you who has to deal with it. It is the paramedics, doctors, nurses, relatives, friends etc who pick up the pieces which costs money, time and emotional distress.

To all the people who consider it is their choice, have you checked with all the above people that they are happy for you to lay yourself open to a severve head injury? I suspect not.
 
I still dont see the problem. No one is passing a law here, no one is stopping anyone using their chosen hat to go hunting or practice at home etc

However well argued i do think most of the frustration comes down to fact that it doesnt 'look right' and isnt traditional.

I get the arguements about the Patey hats but with these being so expensive we also must bear in mind that other competitors will have far less superior hats not to mention the toppers some of which are no more than fabric covered cardboard. Many hats if only needed for unexpected qualification to an evening performance are borrowed and dont fit

At some point some enterprising company will come up with an acceptable harnessed range i am sure
 
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