>>
As Kathie points out, it won't protect you from everything.>>
I
am always confused as to why people bring this up. I mean, isn’t it
glaringly obvious that a helmet won’t protect you from non-head related
injuries? I certainly don’t wear my helmet in order to protect my
pelvis. It’s there to protect the brain, not the neck, spine, elbow
or even the big toe.
Also,
Kathie, (not trying to refute your stand on helmets as it is your choice) I don’t
quite get how a helmet keeps you from hearing in the forest. What brand
of helmet did you use? I’m assuming it covered your ears? I’m
deaf and wear a cochlear implant processor and I’ve never had my helmet
restrict my hearing.
Rae
From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of richardson.carla@xxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 4:54 PM To: Kathie Ford; ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] helmet thread
I
agree, we should not tell adults they must wear a helmet; it's their choice. As
Kathie points out, it won't protect you from everything.
Personally, I do wear a Tipperary with a Salamander brim to shade my eyes. I
feel comfortable with it, but I don't mind if other riders wear nothing on
their heads.
It's a slippery slope, if we (AERC) required helmets, someone could later
demand that we all wear protective vests, or stirrup cages, etc. Or, not ride
at all -- after all, horses are dangerous.
Brings to mind the old, old (70's) cartoon of an OSHA-approved horseback rider,
complete with seatbelt and parachute and various other safety additions.
Carla Richardson
Sent
from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From: Kathie Ford Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:34:44 -0700 To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [RC] helmet thread
Well, I don't wear a helmet w/my mare
because I just don't want to. My choice. Period. I do however support the use
of others wearing them and made my kids wear them too, although at times I
found their helmets hidden in the bushes which wasn't good and they did get in
trouble for that. No helmet no riding. I do make my husband wear one because he
is a novice rider and his horse can be silly sometimes. My girls that
ride are all in their 20's and make their own decisions. I'd like to see them
wear one, and sometimes they do...but it is still their choice too.
I know they are important, and protect the head.to a point..but they don't
protect the neck or spine area at all.. the bottom line is it is an individual's
choice. I will use a helmet w/some of my younger horses but not w/my endurance
mare. My younger horses are on short rides and very local or at home.
Once when I did wear a helmet, years ago, during a schooling session and doing
some very minor jumping over caveletti's, my horse shied and I slid right down
her neck (had given her a bath and she was TOO clean!)...My head hit the ground
slightly and went one way, my neck went the other..I heard 3 distinctive cracks
from my neck. Ended up somehow doing a flip and ended up on my feet in a
squatting position. Anyway, my thoughts DURING my fall right when my neck
cracked were "these darn helmets don't protect the neck!"
I have to also say I get a little mad when people suggest people that make the
choice not to wear one as I do, that we are vain. That is hog wash! There
are many reasons. My choice to not wear a helmet is because I cannot hear well
with one, especially in the woods), I get horrible headaches from the heat to
the point of my eyes not being able to focus, and it has been very tough to
even find one that will fit. Last time I wore a helmet was on Tevis. I had a
Tippeary. I was absolutely miserable in that helmet so I sold it. My head was
so hot and hurt so bad I couldn't think straight. So back off it came.
None the less, it is nice that people care enough to want all persons to wear
them...but we don't need this issue policed. We are policed enough in so many
ways now.
One of my friends the other day was not wearing a helmet and had a terrible
horse accident. But, as her daughter said, a helmet would not have protected
her pelvis, which she fractured in 4 places.
You just never know.
Additionally, for me personally, when my time comes to leave this earth I have
no desire to stick around or try to extend my life in any way. No heroics or
anything. I'm a DNR. My family knows and respects my wishes as my own personal
choice.
So we should just leave it at that. To each their own choices and go on to
another subject.
