What do you think about wearing helmets while riding? Are these a necessary safety precaution or just a nuisance? Share your opinion.

Molly:
I believe that helmets should always be worn, at least when you're riding a horse. Who cares if it's a bother sometimes? It can save your life! Would you rather be dead or be alive with an annoying helmet on your head? I will admit, it gets really hot sometimes, but they do have newer helmets with vents and such. Just answer this question: Do you want to die because of something that could have been prevented?

Elyse:
Definitely wear them every time. Be safe every time you get on a horse — you've only got one head, so take care of it!

Jade:
As far as helmets go, I always wear one. I wouldn't even think about getting on my 4 y/o half-Arab without my helmet on. However, it's not always the baby horses that riders fall off of, and it's just not worth the risk. A helmet every ride is the way I was taught and it's what I do. I don't see a point in not wearing one.

Lisa:
I think everyone should wear a riding hat (helmet). I know that most English riding people wear helmets, but people who ride western-style don't usually wear helmets, which is silly! If your horse spooks and you fall off, that's not going to be too good ...

Justina:
Even though helmets may be a pain to wear, I always like to wear one. You never know when your horse will toss you off, and even the most bombproof horses have off days and will throw you over their shoulder. When this happens, it's always a lot safer to have a helmet on. It could save your life. It may be annoying to wear and you may not like the way you "look," but I'd rather be alive than look good.

Chrissy:
I always use a helmet, although others don't. I think they should though, even if they're just going for a little ride in the field. Your horse can spook and you can fly off and crack your skull if you don't have a helmet on. Although it's up to the rider, I think everyone should wear a helmet while riding.

Morgan:
I wear a helmet every time I ride. I took a severe fall and would not be able to tell the tale if I had not been wearing a helmet. I have seen horrible accidents where people were not wearing helmets. The only exception is when you are showing in western pleasure ... you are required to wear a western hat in most shows.

Shelby:
Helmets can save your life. They are very important. I fell off my horse once and my helmet popped off because it was too loose, but luckily, I landed on my rear.

Milissa:
I hate to wear my helmet. I try to get out of it as much as possible even though I know it's important. I usually don't wear one because I think they're annoying, and for some reason, they give me a headache. I know I should wear one, though.

Rachel:
Personally, I believe that helmets are a necessary evil. They may be annoying or sweaty, but would you rather sweat a little or crack your skull? I of all people know that helmets can save your life. The last fall I had was directly onto my head and I ended up with a helmet that was cracked down the middle. I'm glad it was the helmet and not my head. I know some people who only wear helmets when jumping. I find this pointless ... it's the same height and same ground on flatwork or jumping. That's what I think about helmets. Oh, and if you want a nice cool helmet for summer, try Lid Lockers ... they rock!

Chloe:
I (almost) always wear a helmet when riding. I've fallen off enough times to realize the dangers and by wearing a helmet, and a body protector, you're taking steps towards reducing those dangers.

Claudia:
I think it's good that people should have to wear helmets. It's been proven with more than just equestrian activities that helmets can save lives. It's become a law to have to wear a helmet when you're riding your bike and you're under the age of 18 in Alberta Canada. Of course, they aren't going to protect you from everything, but they can save you from getting your head smashed in.

Geni:
I always wear a helmet, even if just to get on a horse for a couple of minutes. In some states, it's illegal for bikers to not use helmets. I personally think it should be the same for equestrians. But, hey, if you want to get dumped on your head and killed, that's up to you.

Michelle:
Riding helmets should not have to be a necessity of riding, but you should wear them even if you're riding the kind of horse that is lazy to the point where he won't walk unless he has to. At my riding camp, a girl fell off a horse after it spooked. Her helmet was way too big and she had a concussion. Her helmet was cracked and unusable. If her head was in the same condition as her helmet, she may not be living now. You may be risking your life when you don't wear a helmet. Helmets should be required for children under a certain age. After they've reached that age, it becomes the rider's responsibility (like smoking I guess).

Anna:
Thankfully, in many riding schools nowadays, all pupils are forced to wear riding hats. I find it irresponsible to ride without a helmet ... those things are life savers! My friend was once riding a quiet, gentle 21-year-old mare by the name of Milly, who is the sweetest and most obedient mare ever. Luckily my friend was wearing a riding hat (if she hadn't, I doubt she'd be here today). She was in a group lesson when all of a sudden a motorbike flew past the riding school, the engine making a deafening loud noise. One of the younger horses in the lesson spooked and charged towards my friend and Milly, kicking Milly and sending my friend straight out of the saddle.

Unfortunately, she landed right between the two horses, and ended up being pushed and shoved about quite a bit, even kicked in the head. She had to go to the hospital, but thankfully, her riding hat saved her life. Imagine what would have happened without a hat. Even if horses appear harmless and "bombproof," never consider riding them without a helmet - those things might be annoying, but they can save your life.

Lara:
I think helmets should be worn when riding. I know they can be extremely annoying, but I think I've learned my lesson. A couple of weeks ago, I sneaked into the barn while I was home sick. It was about 12:00, when all of the inexperienced adults have lessons. A girl was riding outside and her horse took off. She landed straight on her head. Her helmet was completely destroyed but luckily, her head was find. Think about how her head would be now, two weeks later, if she wasn't wearing a helmet then? I disagree with Jill's barn having to wear helmets all the time, but I agree with wearing them while riding.

Shade:
I wouldn't be so overbearing as to suggest that everyone should be forced to wear helmets, but I honestly don't see any reason not to. It's such an easy thing to do, and it saves lives. No matter how calm and reliable a horse is, there is never any guarantee that nothing will go wrong. Horses spook, they slip, they stumble, and there's nothing anyone can do about that. And true, your helmet will not protect you from every unforeseen accident - that's life. However, it can significantly lower your risk of being seriously injured. For Christ's sake, it's not like it involves a lot of time and effort, and it could possibly save your life. Why NOT wear one?

Jill:
If people want to wear helmets, that's fine with me. I've heard all the stories, statistics, and reasons why to wear a helmet. I know it is safer. However, in my 4-H club, the leaders are SO incredibly paranoid about wearing helmets I do not wear them any more. For the jumping classes, etc. required helmets are fine, but get this: They just passed a rule saying we have to wear helmets ANY time we are on the arena grounds. So in July, on a 100 degree day, we have to wear these helmets all day long, i.e. in the bathroom, eating lunch, etc. If some wild, out of control horse is going to come hit us in the head while we're eating lunch, why aren't the leaders and parents wearing helmets too?

It makes me really mad ... I don't wear a helmet while riding old horses, sometimes I will wear one with colts, but I'm tired of adults being so pushy about them. Heck, people could get killed walking down the sidewalk. You can't prevent everything. My two cents :D

Sarah:
I think that helmets should be worn at the discretion of the rider. If the rider is a youth, the parents should decide. However, in jumping and cross-country classes, helmets should be required because of the greater risk of injury. But, at home and on the trail, it should be the rider's choice.

Anonymous:
I think it is good to wear a helmet unless you are vaulting or riding in safe conditions.

Stephanie:
I think it's essential! Yeah, some people will say that it's not, but they won't be saying that when they fall off and crack their head open. Why would you choose not to be safe if you had the option to be safe?

Jennifer:
I think everyone should be required to wear helmets, both children and adults. Your head is most susceptible when you fall off, and a helmet can cushion your fall and may even save your life. Think about it. Sooner or later you are going to fall off ... why risk your life? All it takes is a few seconds to strap on that helmet. Regarding complaints about the comfort of helmets, they keep improving all the time and if you look in the right equestrian supply stores, you can find a comfortable and stylish helmet to fit your needs.