Helmets!?!?!?

[lelo2006]

Okay, so I did search the site for anything on this topic but couldn't find anything that helped me in my situation so I'm coming to all you smart HT's out there to help me and hopefully figure out this for me.

Our rescue is now making it madatory for anyone who is going to work the horses by riding or just ride to wear helmets, totally understand and don't agree ( I usually don't wear a helmet, personal choice) but as insurance and all that I will more then happily dawn a helmet for rides. No problems there, lol.

The real problem is what helmets are certified. I now that if you go to any tack store you'll be able to get the answer but what I'm curious about is the velvet almost show helmets ( I ride western so I have no clue what anything is called, forgive me). It is a nice velvet helmet has padding inside and has a strap that secures the helmet on. Seem like a great helmet and all and I've seen plently of people wearing them for riding. So just to make sure I asked one of the "english" riders if it was a good helmet for what we needed and she said no. Not certified, not enough padding and she wouldn't want to be seen riding in it. I think it's a really nice helmet and I would rather wear it then those bike helmet looking ones they have know. So I took the helmet in and asked a store owner and he said yes they are certified. Now I'm confused and the the place I help out won't let me use it even though I was told it was certified.

Q: Does anyone know of a site where you can look up what helmets are certified?

Anything to help would be great.

[Western Cowgirl]

I don't know if this will help or not
but the stables i go to a helmet got left in the parking lot and it got ran over by a car and it didn't even damage the helmet
so horseback riding helmets may look like they don't have much protection but they do

[Joker]

Hi I have the "bike" style helmet SEI approved you can get covers for them plain or fancy wild ones some velveteen ones are approved they use them for cross country jumping but some velvet ones are just for looks in the HUS classes they need the leather harness and most say they are SEI approved I do not know why the rescue would refuse yours if it was a approved helmet hope that helped the velvet ones seem more comfortable but hotter

[RenosGirl]

I always wear my helmet, so matter what. That thing has saved me so many times....I bought my from lammles, they are called tireary or something like that...
they look like this...

[horsemom4]

There is a new helmet on the market by Troxel that looks like a black western hat. Troxelhelmets.com

I'm not a helmet wearer either but I think I might give this one a try.

[AlbertaGirl]

Lelo, if you look inside it, is there a sticker or anything? If so, it should have some info on it, and maybe the date of manufacture. I also had one like you've described, and had someone check it for me, and they said it was also an approved one...

If you get stuck, I recently bought a new one at Lammle's too, but mine was an IRH (International Riding Helmets) and it was $69.95 (but I used a discount coupon from the Edmonton Student Union Ticket Pack ). It's lightweight and comfy, and I've been doing a good job of wearing it almost all the time

[Fawn Lane Farm]

IRH makes a great velvet helmet that is certified. I think it's called the "Buckingham" or something like that. Very comfy, and does not give you the dreaded "mushroom head". I've owned three, good to show in. They run $98.90 at Dover.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/irh-buc...X1-3639/cn/39/

Otherwise for schooling I have an in expensive Troxel, that looks kinda bike helmety. Good ventilation though, and I don't have to worry about scuffing the velvet. I think it was less then $50.00.
http://www.troxelhelmets.com/product...hp?ProductID=9

Just an FYI, never buy a helmet "used". If a helmet has been in an "incident" it can be weakened without showing any signs. In fact if you fall, most manufactures ask you to send your hlemet back, and they'll replcae it.

They shoul also be marked inside (as someone else said) wether or not the are ASTM ot whatever certified...

I love my helmets I am a bit braver not having to worry about my noggin (hard as I'm told it is <snickers>).

Editted because Dackelmom was smart and posted the site.

[DackelMom]

I have this helmet. It has black suede on it, kind of looks like velvet. The helmet is really good looking and fits well. The only thing I would do differently is get it in brown rather than black. I think the brown would blend in better with my western tack.
http://www.troxelhelmets.com/product...p?ProductID=31#

[SilverLexi]

oh Dackelmom thats the one I am getting next. I mostly ride western and I think it would be perfect. Have to stick with the one I have right now though. I think helmets are a great thing, has saved my noggin plenty of times.

[EquineAlberta]

I don't think any of the tack stores in Edmonton sell Helmets that aren't certified, so unless you go to an antique store or second hand shop you should be fine.

I like the Troxel western looking helmets...same style as english but with a leather look.

Karen

[reiningfan]

Both Troxel and IRH make affordable schooling helmets that are certified, light weight and not too hot. I like the Tipperary helmets better because they cover more. They go lower on the neck. It might help in case of a fall or a kick.

[Carri]

The only way to find out if that particular helmet is certified is to look up the brand (should be inside) and call the manufacturer. If it is, they should be able to give you something saying it is so that you can use it at the rescue.

It really depends on how old it is, most (not all) helmets that are made now are certified SEI and something else (ASTI? can't remember), but they did not have those certifications or it was not required before. I still own a black velvet helmet from when I was much younger that does not have any certification.

[Slim Pikkens]

You need to look for the letter ASTM FEI, which means it's passed American Standards for impact and the Equestrian Federation as suitable for equine activities. They come in a velvet texture or smooth plastic. The helmets with an adjusting dial are very comfortable and the helmets have become quite lightweight.

[lelo2006]

Well I got this one second hand but I too heard that if it had been in an accident then not to buy it so I asked the lady she had bought it for her girl and she has never fallen off or had anything that might weaken the helmet. It's a new helmet but looks like one of those older styled ones. Not much for info inside of it either.

[ahlihaff]

Originally Posted by RenosGirl

I always wear my helmet, so matter what. That thing has saved me so many times....I bought my from lammles, they are called tireary or something like that...
they look like this...

They are called Tipperary, and I LOVE mine. It offers more protection at the bottom of the back of your head (brain stem area??)

They don't have much of a visor; but I cut the visor off a baseball cap, and my husband screwed it onto the helmet.

[Jules]

Personally - and I try very hard not to "preach" the idea of wearing a helmet as it's up to everyone to make their own decisions - I would never ride without a helmet, having had a couple of nasty falls that would have really hurt me without one. And I would never ride in a helmet that I didn't know first-hand was safe - in other words, a helmet I bought myself, brand new, and ASTM-SEI certified. You can get a huge range of helmets from around $30 up to well over $500, depending on your needs, and there are a number of the velvet-covered English style helmets out there that are certified and very nice! I have three helmets - one a $30 schooling helmet, a Troxel Legacy Duratec (lovely matte finish), and a mid-range trail/play day helmet. All of them are certified, comfortable, lightweight, and cool (which I need in Vegas - a closed-in helmet would fry my brain!). Troxel make a couple of nice Western-style helmets, such as the Sierra and Cheyenne, if you wanted something a bit less English, or the Legacy Duratec in matte black would be a good substitute for the velvet hat you're describing.

My only other advice is, if you can go to a store and try them on, it's a big help. I buy online now, knowing that Troxel fit me well, but you would be amazed how differently the brands fit. I can't wear the Tipperary helmet that comes very highly recommended because it just doesn't fit my head well.

[lelo2006]

The helmet that I have apparently is called a hunters cap. If that helps at all.

[Horselessnomore]

I have a troxel cheyenne -- I tried on several in the stores and then bought mine on-line because it was almost $100 cheaper. If it had been a price difference of 20 - 30 I would have bought locally, but the difference, even with shipping was way too much.

[LiverChestnut]

I love Troxels. They are all SEI-certified. They make several types from "bikey" looking ones, western versions, english versions, and just about anything you might want or need.

I have the Derby, Grand Prix Classic, Spirit, and the Cheyenne.

You can find Troxels in most tack shops or order them through their website.


Best of luck finding a helmet you like.

[lelo2006]

Okay so I took the one in question to a tack store and they said it may be old but definetely is within certification limits. So it can be used for what we need. I'll look for a brand new one that is for sure certified but for know we have an extra helmet that we can use at the rescue.

Does anyone know why you can't use bike helmets? I would think that falling off a horse and falling off a bike are about the same for impact. I think I've hurt myself worse falling off my bike then any horse. Just curious about it. I've noticed that alot of the new style helmets look like glorified bike helmets. Nothing really different about them.