Do I replace my helmet even though I was not injured in the fall?

[scribblywibbly]

I’m a beginner rider and I’ve been riding for about two and half years. My helmet is nearly 2.5 years old too. A few months ago, I had a couple of falls where the horse spun under me and I got flipped off the other side. I just flopped off like a boneless fish and my head ricocheted off the ground because my body was very relaxed. I wasn’t bruised or injured in any way, although I did have a very, very mild headache that went away after a couple of hours. Should I replace my helmet (Horka)? I only ride an hour once or twice a week.

Any advice would be helpful, thank you!

[MysticOakRanch]

Yes, anytime you fall or even drop your helmet, the protective material can be damaged - micro cracks weaken it. Your head is worth spending money on

[mychestnutvalentine]

There are some people who say you should replace a helmet everytime you fall. And then some who say every impact fall. Although I know that that doesn’t always happen. (And there are those who don’t wear a helmet at all lol).
I personally don’t replace my helmet unless it was a bad fall where my head really smacked the ground or an object. Most of the time my body will hit the ground first but there are times there is some whiplash.
Follow your instinct- if you can confidently feel like your helmet will protect your head and it didn’t get damaged then don’t worry. But if even a bit unsure- play it safe and get another helmet.

[Incitatus]

Yes. You can’t always see the damage to the helmet if it did it’s job to cushion the impact. Both times I have replaced mine via the manufacturer and got a huge discount of a new helmet for sending in the damaged one for them to study. Check their website.

[NoSuchPerson]

Some people will tell you that you should absolutely replace your helmet. Some will say it’s not necessary if there is no observable damage. You’re going to have to do the cost benefit analysis and make up your own mind.

I can tell you that until I had a fall in which I swore that I did not hit my head, but later realized that the internal harness had broken off one of the connection points of my older helmet, I was pretty lax about replacing helmets due to age or a fall with no apparent damage to the helmet. Now, I’m pretty diligent about replacing my helmet if I have a fall or after the helmet is a few years old.

[js]

Another that says yes! Don’t take a chance, you weren’t injured thankfully but your helmet may well be damaged and saved your head from injury. Get a new one.

[Scribbler]

@scribblywibbly

I’m a beginner rider and I’ve been riding for about two and half years. My helmet is nearly 2.5 years old too. A few months ago, I had a couple of falls where the horse spun under me and I got flipped off the other side. I just flopped off like a boneless fish and my head ricocheted off the ground because my body was very relaxed. I wasn’t bruised or injured in any way, although I did have a very, very mild headache that went away after a couple of hours. Should I replace my helmet (Horka)? I only ride an hour once or twice a week.

Any advice would be helpful, thank you!

If you had a headache there was some level of head trauma, so you had head impact.

If you just fell on your butt/side and bruised your hip you would not have a headache.

[Lusoluv]

If cost is making you think twice about replacing your helmet, there are inexpensive, certified/approved helmets out there! With online coupons and sales, you can do a little online searching and find them for around $30!! You’ll pay more for the trendier, blingier brands, but if you’re a beginner and just need safe brain protection, prices shouldn’t prevent you from doing that!

[atr]

[QUOTE=scribblywibbly;n10059718]
I just flopped off like a boneless fish and my head ricocheted off the ground because my body was very relaxed. I wasn’t bruised or injured in any way, although I did have a very, very mild headache that went away after a couple of hours.

[QUOTE]

Replace the helmet.

[x-halt-salute]

Yes. Replace the helmet.

I have sustained one concussion in a riding fall, and afterward my helmet did not appear damaged at all. You can’t assess the integrity of the materials and construction based entirely on what you can see of the shell, lining, and harness.

If you need to ask whether replacement is a good idea, then replacement is a good idea.

[Nestor]

You had a headache after your fall. That’s a head injury. Definitely replace it!

[merrygoround]

Absolutely!!! Replace that helmet. And to No Such Person and any other interested parties please open the links and read both Part One and Part Two. of the USHJ Association’s meeting about concussions. Very informative.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#se…2200764da621a7

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#se…2200c39c83bbaf

[ThreeFigs]

I replace my helmet every 5 years, regardless of falls and impacts. Your helmet is easily replaced. Your brain is a priceless thing that cannot be replaced.

Buy a new helmet. They don’t have to be expensive and blingy for everyday wear.

[mswillie]

Replace the helmet. The head "ricocheted off the ground" part is all you need to know. In fact if it’s happened twice it should have been replaced after the first fall.

If you’re worried about the expense buy a less expensive schooling helmet. I know that I would probably want to make excuses if I had to throw a several hundred dollar helmet in the trash but if I have to toss a $40 or $50 helmet it isn’t nearly so painful.

As an aside, not long ago I dismounted and when I removed my (IRH) helmet it literally fell apart in my hands. The hard shell separated from the styrofoam. It was getting old but that shouldn’t have happened, it looked fine when I put it on before my ride so make sure to inspect your helmets and replace them periodically. It was never involved in a fall, nor did I ever store it in extreme temperatures. And yes, I thanked my lucky stars and stopped and bought a new one on my way home.

[alibi_18]

Not only should you change your helmet, but you should also reconsider your lessons.

Not really normal to fall of couple of times in a month.

Falling happens, but you should really think about the reasons. Are you overhorsed?

[ladyj79]

Did anyone else say fake? Because this is 100% fake. Possible the kind of fake that comes back with a new screen name after a half a dozen seven barns and stirrup leather threads.

[ThreeFigs]

Even if a fake, it’s good advice to replace a helmet after falls. Especially if your head “ricochets” off the ground. Somebody else might benefit from this “fake” posting.

[RedHorses]

Especially if someone posts the explanation that helmets are designed to be single impact uses just like air bags in a car. The helmet material is designed to crush under impact WITHOUT expanding back to its original size. The impact pressure squashes the material which slows the head inside before it reaches the stopping point, which reduces the rebound forces. This means the brain will impact the inside of the skull with far less force, or maybe even fail to impact the skull altogether. A milder impact may not produce visible changes to the helmet material, but NEXT time you fall you might need that extra slowing power to prevent a serious brain injury.

Oh look, someone just did!

[scribblywibbly]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I’m not sure how to reply posts individually, sorry! Looks like I’ll be getting a new helmet

[scribblywibbly]

@alibi_18

Not only should you change your helmet, but you should also reconsider your lessons.

Not really normal to fall of couple of times in a month.

Falling happens, but you should really think about the reasons. Are you overhorsed?

I think I had a bad month! I hadn’t fallen off in like more than a year and then I had a couple of falls one after another on different horses. One was because the horse spooked, and the other two was because I was looking down and was too unbalanced to react when the horses suddenly spun. Thankfully, I haven’t fallen since! touch wood