I still don’t get while we try so hard to prove that equestrian sports are indeed sports and then we’re like nah we don’t need no stinkin’ safety equipment. Professionals in other big sports seem to be like wrap me in bubble wrap please. Have you seen the stuff baseball players wear now just to run the bases? I know, I know, it’s a personal decision but it’s also my personal decision to think you’re a moron if you won’t use even basic safety equipment
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To add…
How many are wearing an expired helmet.
Tooooo many.
But ya can’t tell unless you look inside it, so…
Worse…
How many “professionals” & amateurs are still wearing helmets they’ve fallen in because they can’t afford the new helmet…BUT they have that new CWD and are showing 2x a month.
Em
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(At least in my area) This is also partly due to lack of education. I’ve talked to dozens of people that didn’t know they needed to replace it when they fell off. Including a client that fell for the second time and ended up with a helmet in 3 pieces and a concussion. 
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It was one of those Champion-type skullcaps from the 80s - you know, leather straps with buckles. Definitely pre-ASTM days.
See and my answer to this and for other related stuff was to create the FB group about MIPS helmets that I started in 2019.
We’re 4900 people strong now and getting the info out to more riders about replacement norms, the helmet replacement policies and relevant discounts from manufacturers, and the recommended life span of helmets. On top of the info about MIPS and the current and upcoming studies.
I can’t do too much myself but turns out the world of helmet people wants more people to know more things and they’re very friendly.
Em
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This is an issue and I wish education was better. I wish every time the manufacturers and retailers has “helmet day” they put out clearer information about where to find the manufacture date of the helmet, how long to keep it before replacing, and conditions that required replacing sooner than normal. People just DON’T know and assume if the helmet is still intact and in one piece, it must still be fine.
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I will add that to our planned Summer Video info series.
THANKS
Em
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I actually had a helmet rep tell me a few years ago that it wasn’t necessarily just the age of the helmet, but also the hours of usage.
So somebody who rides ten hours a day, six days a week with a helmet needs to replace it a lot more often than somebody who rides once or twice a week for half an hour.
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I’ve been told this as well. It’s sun, dirt, sweat, makeup/sunscreen, and heat-cold cycles that break down the helmet, apparently.
If you keep your helmet in your car or in a particularly hot area (like a shed vs insulated barn), you may need to replace it sooner, even if you only ride once a week.
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I see helmets, and bike helmets for sale used all the time on Marketplace and at a local consignment sports equipment store.
I explained why these were unsafe to the store.
He still sells them.
.
Or cold
Extremes either way.
I advised my riding students about these important tips, as well as why to only use two of the six helmets the lesson barn offered which were the only two not expired, according to manufacturer date.
See why I stopped teaching? That and the unschooled lesson horses and lack of insurance. 🤦
In the UK they check helmets at events and put a sticker on to show it’s approved and dated properly. No good then no sticker.
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British Eventing (and Pony Club I believe) tag everyone’s helmets at the start of each season, using a different colour each year, to ensure all the competitor’s helmets meet the current appropriate safety requirements. This check is done in the Secretaries tent when competitors are collecting paper work etc or them specifically going to get their helmet tagged for the season. The bright colours are easy to see. It doesn’t take much time as the labels inside are clear to read.
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I found a LOVELY Champion helmet for sale at my local Goodwill for $12.50. It still had sand in it 
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