I think that wearing riding helmets should be as basic a precaution as putting on a safety belt while driving a car. I don’t mean to imply that normal horseback riding is as dangerous as driving because I am sure it isn’t. After all horses don’t kill 50,000 people or so a year in this country. Still, there can be accidents on horseback and every reasonable effort should be made to minimize them. The easiest and cheapest way to do it is by always wearing a riding helmet. They are not uncomfortable and who really cares these days about the Marlboro image? Granted that head accidents are not all that frequent, but it only takes one such accident to ruin a person’s life and that of their family. They are the nastiest kind because they often don’t heal as easily as a broken arm or collar bone and we are hearing more and more about the long term effect of even slight concussions on the brain in football or boxing.
I am proud to say that, to my knowledge, we are the only dude ranch to require helmets at all times while riding. Actually I think it is unpardonable that the Dude Ranchers Association does not insist that its members require them. No doubt individual ranches might lose the odd guest wanting to make a fashion statement, but just to avoid one or two serious head accidents a year it would be well worth it. Actually I believe there must be dozens of concussions on dude ranches ever year which could have been avoided by wearing a riding helmet
—Bayard Fox
6 Comments
Hey there, I entirely agree. I have had close calls before – and even just a knock to the head was enough to ensure I ALWAYS wear my helmet now. I think more ranches should be like dude ranches
Thanks for reading. As far as I know, we are the only dude ranch that requires helmets.
I agree. I just went on my first trip with Equitours to Costa Rica and I couldn’t decide whether to take a helmet or not but finally decided to. Most folks on the trip had helmets and the more I think about it – it is the best way to avoid accidents. A strange horse in a strange location – there is no better way to avoid would could be a very life changing accident. I will certainly continue to use my helmet, especially in those conditions.
hey blog admin. i m agree with you and suggest to all horse rider to use hats for safety. even man is intelligent but some time do mistick . animal always innocent but some time can be accident.
That is such a wise decision to require hard riding helmets when anyone is on a horse. Why risk getting injured when a helmet can easily prevent things like concussions and severe brain damage from a fall from a horse. People tend to forget that just because an animal is trained and domesticated that it is still an animal and things can happen.
yes all the horse rider need to use hats. its necessary for life security.your blogs help for all horse rider.
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[...] on Horse Safety: Ross is wearing a riding helmet and vest. This entry was written by Traci McClintic, posted on February 17, 2011 at 10:55 am, [...]