How to do hair for hunters?

[Rusty15]

I’m showing in hunters for the first time this summer. And from what I understand, it is correct to wear your hair up under your helmet. I’ve never competed in a discipline that required that before. I reeealy don’t want to put my hair in the helmet because 1. Experts agree it is NOT safe to wear your hair under your helmet, and I care very much about my head’s safety. 2. I can’t fit my hair in my helmet even if I wanted to and really don’t want to spend a couple hundred on a helmet I don’t need just for shows.

SO is there an alternative way to do my hair that doesn’t involve shoving it under my helmet? If if matters, its like mid back length with some shorter pieces in the front.

[gottagrey]

if your helmet can’t accommodate your hair up in it, then put it up in a nice tidy bun-like pony tail - don’t use one of those dressage bun show bow hair nets

[To_the_MAX]

Braid it!

[Natalie]

I shove my hair into my helmet when I show, but I do really hate how it feels and always have, even though it looks nice. I’ve been tempted lately to just sort of “roll” my hair up at the nape of my neck, with pins, then cover the whole thing with a hairnet. Make sure hair is covering the tops of my ears, a la “hunter hair.” That way the bulk of hair sits just under the edge of the helmet. Also would look pretty close to “normal” hunter hair unless you’re really scrutinizing. Experiment at home to see what looks neatest! I wouldn’t braid or just leave it in a ponytail for the hunters, since the “look” really is under the helmet. Try to get as close to it as you can with a small bun or something similar.

[twobits]

What level are you showing? If it’s lower level hunters, I think a braid is fine. I knew a lady that would braid her hair and tuck it to the inside of her show jacket before walking in the ring so you couldn’t see it, so that might be an option too? Can’t speak to it personally…

[Calvincrowe]

A low bun, well done, can be unobtrusive. No blingy net thingies or bows, please. I cut all my hair off…such a relief! Modified pixie cut and a hair net for the flyaway bits and I’m good. You could cut it all off! (kidding…totally kidding!)

[DiamondJubilee]

“roll” my hair up at the nape of my neck, with pins, then cover the whole thing with a hairnet. Make sure hair is covering the tops of my ears, a la “hunter hair.” That way the bulk of hair sits just under the edge of the helmet. Also would look pretty close to “normal” hunter hair unless you’re really scrutinizing. Experiment at home to see what looks neatest! I wouldn’t braid or just leave it in a ponytail for the hunters, since the “look” really is under the helmet. Try to get as close to it as you can with a small bun or something similar.

This is how I do my hair and you don’t really notice it at all! No show bows or anything to highlight it.

[GoodTimes]

Some of it depends on your hair, and how your helmet straps are designed. My hair isn’t very thick, and it’s layered. I part my hair and put it in a low ponytail with the bulk of the hair over my ears. The ponytail itself is only a few inches long. My helmet straps kind of form a “bucket” under the back of my helmet. So if I put everything in a hairnet I can just kind of tuck the ponytail part under the strap and no one can see it. It never falls down, but at a show I stick a soft bobby pin in for security.
I ride with my hair like this every ride.

[springgreypony]

I asked an employee at a nearby tack store, and I was actually able to get a different helmet liner. Now, I have a thinner liner for shows and a thicker liner for schooling with my hair out of my helmet. I thought it was nice as I was able to change the sizing of the helmet just a tad bit, without entirely compromising the safety.

[largo]

I also have slightly different liners. My hair is pretty thin so it doesn’t change the fit much, but I can still change them out as needed. When my hair gets long and I wear it up I have a thin liner. If I cut my hair shorter or want to wear it down I have a thicker one.

[amb]

I’m for a tight and net-contained bun, but a braid under the jacket works too. Anything that’s not bouncing around being distracting. (I think some riders care a lot more than the judges do!)

[TheMoo]

@amb

I’m for a tight and net-contained bun, but a braid under the jacket works too. Anything that’s not bouncing around being distracting. (I think some riders care a lot more than the judges do!)

This. I remember reading a thread from years ago about how to create the look of hair over the ears with a helmet despite having hair that’s obviously too short to do it. I was shocked.

[Alterrain]

just make a braid, especially in the current state of affairs. We worry about having perfect hunter hair for the pictures (right?). well now our horses can’t be braided and we all have masks pulled down around our necks anyway. what’s one more silly thing?

[Foitin]

Might try this: Cut the top off of a pair of control top panty hose. Put hair in low ponytale, encircle head/ponytail with panty hose. Works pretty well as long as your hair is not too long (mine is getting too long for this).

[one1horse]

Get a no-knot hair net. Life changing. I don’t even use a hair elastic. Just flip my head over and pull the net up over my hair, then it can all lay “flat” on top of my head. Doesn’t alter the fit of my helmet at all and I totally forget I’m wearing a net at all. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/rw…-hairnet-11761