I really hate it how so many of them don’t wear one… especially in the speed events.
I wore one in sorting and I was heckled a bit, but I still wear it.
This woman that I ride with got a serious concussion after her saddle slipped as she was getting on near her trailer in the parking lot. She still doesn’t wear a helmet.
Ok vent over.
To quote a very wise man- “You can’t fix stupid”. I am a western rider and I wear a helmet every ride. If you are getting on one of my horses, you will wear a helmet or you won’t ride.
But, that is all I ever say about helmets. If someone asks, I will tell them why I wear one, but I don’t preach.
My husband has a motorcycle he rides for pleasure and of course, always wears a helmet. He says that “if someone doesn’t think his/her head is worth protecting, maybe it isn’t.”
No one can make anyone do anything but people will continue to learn the hard way.
The facility where I lesson requires helmets. I’m also a member of a trail riding group, and to participate in organized rides, helmets are required. So - I wear a helmet.
In my experience, whether helmets or healthy eating or trying to convert someone from their religion to yours, leading by quiet example is the most effective tactic.
How do you get people to wear their seatbelt?
How do you get people to not eat fast food?
How do you get people not to speed in their car?
How do you get people not to drink and drive?
How do you get people to wear a helmet while bicycling? Or driving motorcycle?
How do you get people not to smoke cigarettes?
How do you get someone to have a preventative health check-up?
…
People are people. They will make their own decisions. And really, it’s no one else’s business.
Myself personally? Been wearing a helmet since I was 5 years old. Never get on without one. And yes, I ride Western. And do lots of speed events.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k27/r_beau/2014%20Horse%20Pictures/Red02Sept282014_zpsa60e0ae9.jpg
If you don’t judge them, they’re less likely to judge you.
Provide the info IF THEY ASK, and LET THEM make the decision.
Too many people in the horse world haven’t learned the “don’t provide your opinion unless asked” adage that keeps all people happy. That includes eye rolls, judgy tones etc.
I’ve ridden with a helmet in very traditional settings with nobody making a comment. I also don’t judge those who don’t wear them.
[QUOTE=beau159;7810382]
How do you get people to wear their seatbelt?
How do you get people to not eat fast food?
How do you get people not to speed in their car?
How do you get people not to drink and drive?
How do you get people to wear a helmet while bicycling? Or driving motorcycle?
How do you get people not to smoke cigarettes?
How do you get someone to have a preventative health check-up?
…
People are people. They will make their own decisions. And really, it’s no one else’s business.[/QUOTE]
This! Great way to put it. I personally, do not wear a helmet unless I’m riding english (even then, schooling at home on the flat with I won’t). I was forced to wear a helmet in 4H when I was little, I didn’t mind it was the rules and I respected them, and I respect other people’s decisions. I wore a helmet when I was just a little gaffer (5years old?) till I was about 13. I’ve been rodeoing my whole life, I don’t wear a helmet. At a colt starting clinic, no helmet riding rank ass colts and got my ass chewed out over FB by an older family friend how could I be so stupid not to wear one after she watched my video of me riding my bucking sassy-pants lazy colt. I was PISSED. My best friend here at work breaks colts, she wears a helmet doing that but does not when she barrel races. I wear helmets steer/cow riding, galloping racehorses, riding 4wheelers and sleds. I wear helmets at the barn when I ride english. My dressage coach makes western riders wear helmets in her clinics. I’m cool with that. I respect those who ride western that chose to wear one. It’s just how I was brought up and what I was used to. To me, I used to get in so much flack over it I compared it to people who tried the shove religion down my throat (extreme comparison I know lol but that’s how it makes me feel then I get irritated). I would never make fun of someone wearing one, and I expect not to get preached at for not wearing one. Sure I run a pro barrel horse… “Shit happens” “horses are unpredictable” “you never think it will happen to you” I’ve heard it all, but I stick to my guns. Ultimately it is MY decision unless it is strictly required by rules. I always like pack my Tipperary in my trailer in case. End rant.
Here’s what you do.
At your local barrel racing or other gymkhana type contest, offer a $100 prize to the top competitor who is wearing a helmet for the next N shows in a series.
Nicole Aichele was wearing a helmet when she broke the world record time for barrel racing.
In a sport that is determined by timing to one-thousandths of a second, you’re an idiot to wear a western hat, which is a big source of drag. Those dudes contesting the Tour de France wear teardrop shaped helmets for a reason.
If the upper level dressage riders can give up their top hats, western riders can give up the cowboy hats…
It used to be that dressage riders dreamed of the day they would earn the right to ride in top hat and tails. Now in the past few years, it just looks, well, old fashioned and helmets are “in”.
This is an athletic event. Wear a helmet!
[QUOTE=poltroon;7810451]
Nicole Aichele was wearing a helmet when she broke the world record time for barrel racing.
In a sport that is determined by timing to one-thousandths of a second, you’re an idiot to wear a western hat, which is a big source of drag. [/QUOTE]
So that must make me an idiot too
Your property, your horse, your show/clinic/etc.? Make helmets part of the policy. No helmet, no ride.
Otherwise you can’t do much to make someone else do something. With a friend or family you might bring it up, but random other folks you see riding around? Unless it is someone who is a total newbie who really very probably doesn’t know a helmet is an option, I don’t mention it.
(My one exception is I will mention to people or wear or have their kids wear bicycle helmets that while wearing a helmet is good, if they are going to ride regularly they should get an equestrian one because the testing standards and protection provided are different. Use equipment designed for the sport you are doing, essentially.)
[QUOTE=poltroon;7810451]
Nicole Aichele was wearing a helmet when she broke the world record time for barrel racing.
In a sport that is determined by timing to one-thousandths of a second, you’re an idiot to wear a western hat, which is a big source of drag. Those dudes contesting the Tour de France wear teardrop shaped helmets for a reason.[/QUOTE]
very good point, like why swimmers and bicyclists shave all their body hair.
I still think someone just needs to come up with a GOOD design of a helmet/cowboy hat combo that looks normal enough. I know some have tried it.
in bull riding and some bronc riding they are wearing them more.
I’m gonna wear mine… and I also wear my big English sun visor so I don’t get burnt.
Is it mandatory in kids events that they wear helmets… like young kids barrel racing and goat tying? I do see kids wearing helmets western at our barn… but not all do.
Around here some shows are starting to enforce that juniors wear helmets even in western events. Slow to take off though.
At a show last year some of the parents took the cheaper plastic helmets and let their little kids decorate them. One even glued a fake mane to it. Super cute and hopefully encouraged the kids to be proud of their helmets!
I am not sure making them look like cowboy hats is the answer as much as time and people setting an example. I remember when the first “bubble head” helmets came out…took a while to accept them in English land, but now they are the norm.
I ride and show western with a helmet because I always wear a helmet. Anyone on my property must wear a helmet too.
Riderank: consider that you are now trying to be a professional: the kids you teach will need to wear helmets. Much easier to enforce if they see you wearing one. It may also make you look more professional to parents looking for somewhere to take their kids.
[QUOTE=riderank__makebank;7810475]
So that must make me an idiot too[/QUOTE]
Or maybe you just don’t want to win the barrels. Or maybe you’re so much faster that you don’t mind spotting some time to your competition to look fabulous.
How many seconds is it worth to you to wear a western hat while you barrel race?
I don’t understand why people insist on pushing their beliefs on others.
If someone is of age and is capable of making their own decisions chooses not to wear or chooses to wear a helmet who are you to judge?
Well, I get by with my Troxel and velcro’d on sunshade. I don’t know if this link will work:
Edited to add, No, the link doesn’t work, so here is a link to photos of the shade, I simply shape mine like a cowboy hat. It was a big hit in S. Africa, and when I am riding in the neighborhood bikers often ask if I’ll swap.
[QUOTE=Aces N Eights;7810945]
I don’t understand why people insist on pushing their beliefs on others.
If someone of age and is capable of making their own decisions chooses not to wear or chooses to wear a helmet who are you to judge?[/QUOTE]
I try very hard to bite my tongue (except in above mentioned instances where I legitimately think someone may simply not really realize it is an option, like some total newbies) but it is hard for me to see people making that decision because I’ve seen a lot of the aftermath of a TBI and I can’t figure out why anyone would want to go through that or make their loved ones go through it. And I haven’t actually had those experiences that personally - it has always been a situation where I met the person or the family after the event.
I can easily see how someone who has actually been there, done that, might have a much harder time holding back.
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