Guess what, Riders? TODAY is International Helmet Awareness Day!
Riders4Helmets is responsible for hosting and organizing this international yearly event. Their goal is to educate equestrians on the benefits of wearing a properly fitted and secured certified helmet.
On International Helmet Awareness Day, Manufacturers from around the globe team up with your favorite equestrian retailers to bring you quality helmets at GREAT prices!
As you all know, the helmet is an ESSENTIAL part of riding. What could be more important than protecting your head?!? But there’s more to it than just plopping any old thing on your noggin. Having the proper FIT is important! Buying a helmet can be a stressful experience, especially if you’re a first timer.
So….
In honor of International Helmet Awareness Day, Equus Now! is sharing some excerpts from an article from our winter 2005 newsletter – Tips for Buying a Helmet! Read on, and remember to STAY SAFE!
*** This article was originally published in our WINTER 2005 Newsletter! ***
Written by Laura Webster
Buying a new helmet can be a confusing experience for anyone, and always seems to involve more decisions than expected. Sizes, Standards, Styles, Colors, Brands, Prices… the list goes on. However, there are certain things that are more important than others when shopping for this essential piece of riding equipment, and hopefully these tips will make the decision process less stressful.
FIT is by far the most difficult aspect to judge in a helmet. If you are shopping for your child, always be sure to bring them along to try on the helmets. This is not something that can be judged simply by looking, and you should always ask a sales associate for help in fitting. A correctly fitted helmet will sit level across the head. The brim should settle about the length of your index finger above the eyebrows. The helmet should not come down past the ears. Once this is established, the person should be able to shake his or her head back and forth and up and down without the helmet moving, even when it is not harnessed. If the helmet is too small, it will put pressure on the forehead and will not sit level in the correct placement. If it is too big, it will move around on the head and most likely fall back towards the neck.
Companies like Troxel have released lines of helmets that are “adjustable”. This does not mean that the helmet can be made to fit any head! They run in small, medium, and large sizes as opposed to circumference measurements and can be made to fit a wider variety of people at once. These helmets still need to be fitted correctly, especially for children. Saving a few bucks by purchasing a helmet that a child can “grow” into can be very dangerous.
This brings us to SAFETY RATINGS. All Safety oriented riding helmets should be approved by 2 organizations – ASTM & SEI. This will be posted on the box of the helmet. Many of the governing show organizations require approved helmets, so be sure to check the rules if you are planning to show.
PRICE is another consideration when buying a helmet. Cost can range anywhere from $30 – $400 and up. This is a big difference, but please keep in mind – you get what you pay for.
Remember that the helmet is the most important thing you put on each time you ride. Therefore, it can be far better to opt for a more expensive and thus more reliable helmet. When you choose a helmet, inquire about the manufacturer’s replacement policy. Most companies offer a 1 year replacement policy if the helmet is involved in an accident. They will usually charge a small fee and send you a brand new helmet if yours has been damaged in an accident (but only if you hold on to the original purchase receipt). Once a helmet has been damaged, it will lose the majority of its protection. For this reason alone – never purchase a used helmet.
The bottom line is that helmet buying is tough, so please ask for help. Make sure it fits and is correct for the intended use. The staff at Equus Now! is always available to help you choose the best helmet for your needs.
About the Author… Laura Webster is a graduate of Otterbein College. She holds a bachelors Degree in Equine Facility Management.
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