Re: Helmets

[Chris Paus <paus@micoks.net>]

Cindy,

You should relate your experience to Horse & Rider magazine. They are doing
a survey about helmets and whether they should be mandatory.

The cowgirl editorial writers are decidedly biased against helmets. I wrote
in response, but don't think they've used my letter.

I was a cowgirl type too. A rough tough barrel racer as a kid who was
invicible (what kid isn't???) I never used a helmet until I joined a
distance riding association. I did it mostly t fit in.

But, last summer on a training ride, I didn't duck enough under a low
branch. I felt the tiniest tap on my head and didn't think anything about it.

Later I looked at my helmet and it was broken. I guess it did its job and
protected my head, eh? I'm a believer now.

I figure broken legs and arms will heal, but scrambled brains are another
matter.

chris paus & star

At 12:51 PM 1/5/98 +0200, Budler, Cindy wrote:
>Hi all, Hope the festive season was good for all and that 1998 will
>bring success,happiness and most of all no problems with the equines!!
>
>I must relate my experiences yesterday as the only reason I am still
>here is because of my Troxel!!. I rode my Arab out on a training ride
>yesterday morning and he spooked at a snake in the grass. I was thrown
>over his shoulder but ended up with my left wrist tangled in the reins
>and was dragged at high speed for about 50 m. His right front hoof
>caught me just above the right temple(on the hat) and took about an 2
>inch chunk out of the hat.I also have a perfect hoofprint on the left
>temple of the hat!!. The back hooves have left tattoo marks all over my
>lower body and the ground has finished off what was left. The helmet has
>about 3 cracks in it , but because of the way it is designed to absorb
>the shock I didn't even have a headache or concussion. I cannot
>understand how even here in SA the endurance bodies are not prepared to
>make hats compulsory in rides!!. So ---- lessons learned ....
>1	Always wear a hat ( and in my case a Troxel)
>2	Get shorter reins for the short necked,high carriage Arabs!!)
>3	Wear clothes that absorb a bit more of the damage from landing on the
>ground (summer wear is not great to go skiing in)
>
>Regards from SA
>
>Cindy
>Afrox National Contracts Department
>P.O.Box 879 , Germiston,1400
>Tel  011 871-1006
>Fax  011 873-4623
>E-mail  : natcon@afrox.boc.com
>
>