Wearing a hat - not the usual debate!

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burtie

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If your instructor asked you to wear a hat when riding your own horse in your own school when you don't usually would you think this a reasonable request?
 
Yes if she was teaching me as although it's the riders choice normally if they wear a hat when alone, if the rider fell off and she was teaching it could effect her insurance should the rider injure themselves.
 
Course it's reasonable! If anything happened and the pupil was hurt and felt it was the instructor's fault, the instructor's insurance would NOT cover him/her if the pupil wasn't wearing a hat.
 
if you are being taught by that instructor then yes its reasonable as it will affect her insurance if you have an accident during the lesson. She may also not be insured for you to ride without a hat during her lessons.
 
I think it is a bit stupid to not wear a hat usually tbh. You only have one head, no replacements. And I think it is reasonable for your instructor to ask you to wear one, he probably doesn't want to feel guilty or responsible if you fall off and crack your head open.
 
TBH I would be suprised an instructor would ask (unless you were jumping or riding a horse they thought was a bit of a nutter)

I presume that its to do with their insurance, so i would stick one on out of curtosy (sp?)
 
QR - Thanks for the responses so far, what I would have hoped but I'm guessing you guys all wear hats normally anyway
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I woulb be also interested in the response from people who don't always ride in a hat!
 
Your insurance covers you to ride your horse. Your other insurance covers you to ride any horses on your property (providing it is regular business insurance) therefore no I don't think it has anything to do with the instructor and I can't see how in any way it affects her insurance.

That said; if an instructor asks someone to wear a hat perhaps there is a reason for it? If the person doesn't want to wear a hat then they can quite simply change instructors.
 
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I presume that its to do with their insurance

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That is correct, although insurance does not strictly state this, I think as an instructor you would be on very dodgy ground if a pupil did fall off and hurt themselves whilst not wearing a hat.
 
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I can't see how in any way it affects her insurance.


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Sadly things have changed a lot over here in the modern blame culture. As an intructor I have to do a 'risk assesment' of every pupil and make sure they are as safe as possible. The limits of this responsibility have not yet been tested in court for a freelance instructor but I think it would go very much against me if the pupil was not wearing a hat, judging by recent similar cases
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I have never been asked to ride wearing a hat, even at dealers yards. If an instructor felt more comfortable teaching me hatted up then I cannot think of a reason why I would say no, unless I had a stonking headache or it was incredibly hot, but I have a GPA now to combat those probs so would stick it on my head and start concentrating.
 
Sorry but there are insurance companies that wont cover you if it is found you were not wearing a hat. And your instructor would be liable. I dont see what the problem is to just wear it for the lesson. I think you will find insurance companies are toughening up now & that will include what precautions you take out on the road, (Hi viz to ensure you can be seen). I dont like wearing a hat, especially in the summer, but then I was lucky & learnt the hard way when I was 15, (I was lucky because I survived hitting my head on the road when my horse slipped & came down).
 
Sometimes I am very pleased to be living in a country which is about 30 years behind the UK and allows people to make their own decisions and be responsible for those decisions made....
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Your insurance covers you to ride your horse. Your other insurance covers you to ride any horses on your property (providing it is regular business insurance) therefore no I don't think it has anything to do with the instructor and I can't see how in any way it affects her insurance.

That said; if an instructor asks someone to wear a hat perhaps there is a reason for it? If the person doesn't want to wear a hat then they can quite simply change instructors.

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actualy you will find that most insurances in the UK will not cover you unless you are wearing a hat. therefore you are not insured when you ride without one and a riding instructor has to have appropreate insurance which most likely will not cover her unless the pupil is wearing a hat.
 
I was at a well known riding centre this week and was shocked to see that one of the working pupils (studying for BHS Stage IV, I think) was participating in a student ride without a hat. The horse was a nutter too. I'd be surprised if this particular establishment would be covered in the event of an accident - I couldn't believe that the instructor allowed it !
 
i think the instructor can ask you to wear a hat and would even have the right to refuse to teach if you refuse to wear one, she is protecting her interests and reputation.
 
I think it’s a reasonable request, but it’s up to you whether you do or not. Personally just to keep a good feeling between instructor and myself I would put one on but then that’s me and I never ride without a hat anyway.
 
It is an Instructors duty to reach not only HOW to ride, but also safety when riding. Any instructor who does not ask for a hat to be worn is being negligent.
 
I think it comes down to what is responsibility rather than reasonable or not. At the end of the day it could save your life.
Therfor,In my opinion it is more than reasonable. I suppose when you are riding without tuition then it is your own personal choice on wether you want to wear appropriate headwear.
 
Yes it is reasonable - i can't believe people in this day and age still dont wear hats!!

no horse is 100% safe and just because your in a school doesnt mean your guarantee'd a soft landing!

my hat saved my life when my bombproof horse spooked and dumped me head first into the fence and then kciked me in the head!!
 
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