What type of helmet do you use and how big is the visor? A friend was saying she has seen polo helmets with really big visors. I’m trying to convince her a big rigid visor is not safe if she falls and does a face plant (possible c spine injury) Any photos
Yes polo helmets generally have a large fixed visor. Sometimes only above the face, sometimes as a complete loop.
I don’t suppose you have any actual evidence that visors cause spine injury? Maybe you should start your convincing there.
Just thinking of potential mechanism. Full faceplant with the visor causing the head to flip back in extreme extension or visor digging into the ground causing extreme flexion. The photos I could find of polo helmets on google show tiny visors like you see on standard riding helmets. So far have not been able to find data etc saying either yes, unsafe or no problem. Do you have a link to the type of helmet you’ve seen?
Just thinking of potential mechanism. Full faceplant with the visor causing the head to flip back in extreme extension or visor digging into the ground causing extreme flexion. The photos I could find of polo helmets on google show tiny visors like you see on standard riding helmets. So far have not been able to find data etc saying either yes, unsafe or no problem. Do you have a link to the type of helmet you’ve seen?
British Eventing (and most racing organizations) don’t allow any fixed brim helmets on xc because of the increased risk of spinal injury. Personally I would look for one that is ASTM approved and has a face mask, and worry less about the visor, though.
We sell polo gear at the shop I work at, and the brim serves as the mounting point for the face guard. I believe it also serves as protection from the ball (or a mallet) coming downward toward the face (I’d rather have it bounce off the visor than my face, personally, even the arena balls pack a wallop).
Polo helmet visors are far more sturdily constructed than most riding helmets, I imagine it’s a trade-off for extra protection from flying balls and swinging mallets.
Polo helmets have a huge visor, which can be really handy protection from the ball or a mallet. Charles Owens sells a certified polo helmet. You can add a face mask to most any polo helmet.
I have a Polo Gear helmet. The facemask sticks out a lot more than the visor, but it’s not like you want to have a facemask that would break or deform.
I did have a sharp, upward blow occur to my facemask in a wreck. The polo helmet doesn’t have a harness like a regular riding helmet–it’s just a strap under the chin. I had the chin strap borderline-uncomfortably tight and the helmet fits pretty well, and it popped right off. I’d rather risk my neck snapping back and have the helmet stay on…
Most polo helmets are not as safe as the ASTM-approved helmets that competitive riders wear. While the face mask is important to protect from the mallet and ball, there just isn’t the same level of protection from a fall. As another poster mentioned, the chin strap is pretty flimsy compared to a harness.
They make sun visors out of soft material that strap on over any helmet. I want one!
Riding without a face mask makes me a little nervous, but riding without an approved helmet makes me very nervous indeed. I will have to look into the Charles Owen model mentioned here!
[QUOTE=The Centaurian;8722279]
Most polo helmets are not as safe as the ASTM-approved helmets that competitive riders wear. While the face mask is important to protect from the mallet and ball, there just isn’t the same level of protection from a fall. As another poster mentioned, the chin strap is pretty flimsy compared to a harness.
They make sun visors out of soft material that strap on over any helmet. I want one!
Riding without a face mask makes me a little nervous, but riding without an approved helmet makes me very nervous indeed. I will have to look into the Charles Owen model mentioned here![/QUOTE]
FWIW, my Argentina made non-certified helmet has a legit 3-point harness that buckles under your chin. The chin straps are slowly being phased out.
Assuming your friend already has a good helmet, EquiVisor is the name of the product I was trying to describe.
If you get the USPA players edition magazine, Kelly Beck is on the cover of a recent issue. She lives in my area-- had a nasty fall and serious head trauma, blames her polo helmet for not protecting her head!
Glad to hear the manufacturers are making strides to protect players’ heads from balls, mallets, AND falls-- without the governance of the USEF/IOC, some equestrian sports have lagged behind the Olympic sports in safety. (not saying that Olympic sports are safer, just that the equipment is more strictly regulated)
