How to get western riders to wear helmets?

[poltroon]

[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]

This is independent of my other responses, which are just about the fact that I think that wearing a western hat is about as smart as strapping a big sheet of cardboard to your back, when you’re trying to make a lightning fast time.

But. I have had the unpleasant experience of waiting for the paramedics for a friend with a horrible head injury, watching the blood dripping out her ear, watching the paramedics saunter in and ask if she had a DNR, coordinating with her other friends to desperately try to find her recently moved out adult son and make sure her cat would be fed while we wondered if she would survive the night. (She did, thankfully, make it.) That was inconvenient, pretty much ate my weekend. But you know, what are friends for.

And I’ve also had my day inconvenienced by someone at the gymkhana falling off without a helmet, and had to wait maybe an hour for the rider to be airlifted out of the venue before the rest of us could resume riding.

So you can see, it’s really all about me and my needs.

[aktill]

Even well meaning condescension and smug superiority are the perfect way to get the exact opposite of what you want. As soon as the person feels attacked, you’re wasting your breath.

[wendy]

I don’t understand why people insist on pushing their beliefs on others.

wearing or not wearing a helmet isn’t a “belief.”

A belief is an idea that someone is sure is true in the absence of facts to support that fact. Being sure that unicorns exist is a belief.

Helmets are life-saving safety equipment. Like wearing boots with heels, or fastening your seatbelt. It’s a fact that wearing helmets saves lives. There is no belief involved at all.

If you see someone doing something really unsafe, like tying the lead rope around their waist or wearing heel-less boots to ride in, generally you speak up. Same thing with wearing a helmet.

You may think that deciding to risk your life by not putting on a helmet only affects YOU, but it doesn’t. Who do you think comes along and scrapes you up off the ground afterwards? And who do you think ends up paying for your medical bills?

I’m quite sure that some day really soon every equestrian event will require helmets on riders just to please the insurance companies. Possibly your medical insurance will require it as well- if you get hurt because you failed to don your helmet, they will cut you off without a dime.

[meaty_ogre]

I think the only way to make helmets more mainstream or acceptible in western events would be for Charles Owen or Troxel to sponsor an upper level/well-known western rider. I do think that there is some portion of the western riding population that is willing to wear helmets, but just doesn’t want to be “first.”

I’m currently riding at a western barn, and my daughter and I are the only ones who wear helmets. I have been harassed and made fun of, to which I usually reply that it’s part of my contract as a member of mensa (it usually elicits blank stares, and I’m often tempted to add a “Bazinga!” but I know it would also fall on deaf ears!). The only reason it does bother me is that it in turn bothers my daughter, who has questioned why she must wear a helmet.

I never pressure or lecture. It is their choice. People make good and bad choices every day. I’m overweight and I still drive thru McDonald’s sometimes, and a holier-than-thou lecture or haughty stares would not convince me to stop; in the same vein I agree the best way to “convert” non-helmet riders is to quietly set a good example. It does worry me to see the non-helmeted youth riders, and I always hope that karma does not make my case for me.

Good western hats (show quality) are very expensive, and have to be professionally cleaned and shaped, and meticulously maintained. My helmet retains its shape, can be wiped down, and is much cheaper. This appeals to my frugal side, in addition to the obvious safety benefits!

I did show in western events this year and was the only rider, youth or adult, wearing a helmet on the entire show grounds. I was mocked throughout the day, and I know that even as adults some are not able to handle that.

[riderank_makebank]

[QUOTE=poltroon;7810669]
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?[/QUOTE]

lol…I win A LOT in the 1D, thank you very much, right up there with all the other pros. Even practiving, where I don’t wear a hat, there is no difference in time. Still consistant. Still not gonna change a thing.

[SuckerForHorses]

[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.

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[/QUOTE]

^ THIS, so many times, THIS!

Worry about your own head and what you choose to do to protect it.

It’s not your responsibility to police the world of riders who CHOOSE, yes, because it IS a choice, not to wear a helmet.

OP and everyone else who thinks its necessary to scold those who don’t wear them… I’m sure you wouldn’t be receptive to someone you don’t know telling you how to live your life, so maybe you shouldn’t be impressing your choices upon others either.

[riderank_makebank]

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;7811381]
^ THIS, so many times, THIS!

Worry about your own head and what you choose to do to protect it.

It’s not your responsibility to police the world of riders who CHOOSE, yes, because it IS a choice, not to wear a helmet.

OP and everyone else who thinks its necessary to scold those who don’t wear them… I’m sure you wouldn’t be receptive to someone you don’t know telling you how to live your life, so maybe you shouldn’t be impressing your choices upon others either.[/QUOTE]

THANK YOU!

Just because I don’t wear a helmet 70% of the time doesn’t make me any more superior or inferior to anyone else, or an idiot. I’m not trying to be a snappy bitch but I’m sticking to my way of doing things. Back off, it’s personal choice. If something happens it’s my own damn fault.

[NoSuchPerson]

The only way to get western riders to wear helmets routinely is to make it fashionable. The only way to make it fashionable is to get the big names to both wear helmets and make a big deal about the fact that they are wearing helmets. And, no matter what, it would be a very slow process.

But, things are changing. Look at bull riders. Pretty much everyone wears both a protective vest and a helmet today. That was certainly not the case when I was a kid. Most 4-H clubs today require kids to wear helmets to participate, whether they’re riding English or western.

[lesson_junkie]

[QUOTE=riderank__makebank;7811395]
THANK YOU!

Just because I don’t wear a helmet 70% of the time doesn’t make me any more superior or inferior to anyone else, or an idiot. I’m not trying to be a snappy bitch but I’m sticking to my way of doing things. Back off, it’s personal choice. If something happens it’s my own damn fault.[/QUOTE]

Unless you are riding my horse, or riding on my property, you certainly can make your own choice. I respect that-I don’t want you telling me how I have to do things either.

But-let me be a non judgemental cyber friend, and tell you first hand, taking care of a brain damaged loved one is depressing, draining, never ending hard work, and very, very, sad. I have changed an adult’s diapers, helped him eat and drink, dressed, bathed, groomed and managed the wheelchair. Please know, your choice could have consequence beyond just you. That’s not to say anyone is right or wrong-it’s the truth.

Many people spend many hours riding without helmets and nothing bad will ever happen. I could be seriously hurt in my lesson tomorrow in spite of my helmet. But, I wear my seat belt, don’t smoke any more, and wear my Troxel every ride because I want the odds in my favor as much as I can manage.

Maybe I don’t feel as lucky as you do.

[CHT]

If you are an American, sure, you should have the choice…but if you are a Canadian and counting on the Canadian health care system (and everyone’s taxes) to fund your head injury, then I do think the use of safety equipment should rightly be enforced by those who don’t want their taxes misspent on preventable injuries.

Of course Americans might not want their health insurance premiums to go up from covering preventable injuries either…

[SuckerForHorses]

Unless it’s illegal, nobody needs to “rightly enforce” anything. Is not riding with a helmet illegal in Canada?

But-let me be a non judgemental cyber friend, and tell you first hand, taking care of a brain damaged loved one is depressing, draining, never ending hard work, and very, very, sad. I have changed an adult’s diapers, helped him eat and drink, dressed, bathed, groomed and managed the wheelchair. Please know, your choice could have consequence beyond just you. That’s not to say anyone is right or wrong-it’s the truth.

I understand that. But if someone chooses to not wear a seat-belt, a motorcycle helmet, smokes cigarettes, do you get all judgy and start preaching to them as well?

[kdow]

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;7811650]

I understand that. But if someone chooses to not wear a seat-belt, a motorcycle helmet, smokes cigarettes, do you get all judgy and start preaching to them as well?[/QUOTE]

The same group of people I’d say something to about wearing a helmet (friends and family) - yup. I am at least consistent in my annoying preachiness.

As far as the comment about pros, btw - when considering a new barn for lessons, etc. I do actually look at the photos for clues about the place, one of which is helmet use. English place? I expect to see lots of helmets on student/in training photos, particularly if the photo is someone jumping. Western or trail? I at least want to see helmets on kids in lessons, etc. So that is something to be aware of from a marketing perspective, if you are trying to get started as a trainer or what have you. (I am sure there are other people who don’t care, so maybe you have enough clients anyway, I dunno. Just saying it is something I look at.)

[AmarachAcres]

I just don’t see why people don’t. I’ve worn helmets for so long that I forget it is there. I’ve gotten back in the house just to realize I’m still wearing it.

Why is a hat so much more important? I’m not asking to be mean, I truly don’t get it. It reminds me of those safety ads where they would point out people don’t wear seat belts because it wrinkles their suit/dress/what have you.

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=kdow;7811671]
The same group of people I’d say something to about wearing a helmet (friends and family) - yup. I am at least consistent in my annoying preachiness. :D[/QUOTE]

Then that’s fine, preach away! :lol:

It’s just annoying when people preach about helmets but don’t about other things that are safety precautions that people choose (there’s that word again!) to avoid.

[kaitsmom]

Simple. Youth rodeos need to start requiring riders to wear helmets and the new generation of riders will not have the current stigma attached to helmets in Western riding.

[SportArab]

I don’t see why people NEED to get other people to do specific things. In my opinion, a person riding in a western saddle without a helmet is FAR safer than a helmeted rider in any type of English saddle. Maybe we should get everyone to ride in Western saddles?

[Trakehner]

As long as they’re adults, I don’t worry about it. My wife came off her horse, brain injury, surgeries and she almost died. She didn’t want to wear a helmet. Her surgeon said in her case I probably didn’t make a whole lot of difference…but it could have. Who knows…but I know I figure she used up all her luck and mine too! So I always wear a helmet now.

For other adults…nope, I just shut up (tough to do)…when it’s kids…if I’m not responsible for them, still don’t say anything. Free will can bite you .

[UrbanHennery]

I’m wondering why the focus on the cowboy hats? I’m a Western rider and while I never trail ride or hack on the road without a helmet, I don’t wear one in the arena unless on an unpredictable or unknown horse.

But I’m certainly not wearing a cowboy hat either. In the winter I’m wearing a wool stocking hat and during the summer I’m in a baseball cap. I wear my cowboy hat in the show pen only.

I’m a very intelligent, highly paid person in real life. I know I’m taking a risk. Short of riding at an arena or show that requires me to wear a helmet you probably won’t convince me while I own the horse I have now. And being so holier than thou about it doesn’t help your cause.

[Aces_N_Eights]

[QUOTE=wendy;7811198]
wearing or not wearing a helmet isn’t a “belief.”

A belief is an idea that someone is sure is true in the absence of facts to support that fact. Being sure that unicorns exist is a belief.

Helmets are life-saving safety equipment. Like wearing boots with heels, or fastening your seatbelt. It’s a fact that wearing helmets saves lives. There is no belief involved at all.

If you see someone doing something really unsafe, like tying the lead rope around their waist or wearing heel-less boots to ride in, generally you speak up. Same thing with wearing a helmet.

You may think that deciding to risk your life by not putting on a helmet only affects YOU, but it doesn’t. Who do you think comes along and scrapes you up off the ground afterwards? And who do you think ends up paying for your medical bills?

I’m quite sure that some day really soon every equestrian event will require helmets on riders just to please the insurance companies. Possibly your medical insurance will require it as well- if you get hurt because you failed to don your helmet, they will cut you off without a dime.[/QUOTE]

I use the word “belief” with this subject like I do talking about religious zealots.
I don’t have a problem with helmet wearers I have a problem those preaching and trying to convert.

Everything we do has a calculated risk. Getting in a truck and driving down the road carries risk, walking on your wet kitchen floor carries a risk, walking across a busy road carries risk, getting on a horse carries a risk. The level of risk that I am willing to take may not be the same as yours. Your choice, my choice.

I have seen some bad wrecks and also seen my boss bucked off a colt while doctoring calves and required a good trot to get to cell service for Life Fight to come fetch him(neck injury, helmet wouldn’t of saved him from a hospital bill). Been in some nasty wrecks myself but choose to swing a leg over a horse everyday. It is a risk I take helmet or no helmet. You talk about inconveniencing others so this may seem morbid to some but if the day comes and I become a vegetable from a truck wreck, falling in my kitchen or from a horse wreck my family knows that I do not want to burden- pull the plug. They respect it and would want the same for themselves. Quality of life not quantity.

[kdow]

[QUOTE=Aces N Eights;7812110]
You talk about inconveniencing others so this may seem morbid to some but if the day comes and I become a vegetable from a truck wreck, falling in my kitchen or from a horse wreck my family knows that I do not want to burden- pull the plug. They respect it and would want the same for themselves. Quality of life not quantity.[/QUOTE]

Do be aware that currently “pull the plug” is only an option if you are in a condition such that your life is being maintained by external measures, like a ventilator system which breathes for you, unless you live in one of very few places that allows human euthanasia. The brain and body are complicated enough that it is quite possible to be in really a bad state in terms of what you are able to do, and yet not to the point where your body needs ventilation, etc. to keep going. After what I have seen, I would not count on being injured badly enough that there was a pull the plug option if I wasn’t likely to recover.

Our bodies are definitely interesting in how much damage they can take sometimes and still keep functioning at a minimal level.