International Helmet Awareness Day was just a few days ago, on September 12th and 13th, with many equestrian retailers offering discounts on helmets in celebration.
However, this day is about much more than sales.
It aims to raise awareness for the importance of wearing helmets while riding horses. To do my part to raise awareness, I wanted to create a post with as much helmet related information as possible. A sort of ultimate guide if you will, so without further ado, let’s get into it.
Horse Riding Helmet History
Helmets have come a long way to be the sleek, lightweight, and fashionable piece of protective gear we know today. The first riding hats were released in the 1800’s, namely the top hat and bowler hat. Back then, hats were made with fashion more in mind than the safety of the rider . The first top hat was created in 1797, defined by its tall height, flat crown, and wide brim. Although current safety precautions advise against it, the top hat is still the headgear of choice for some top dressage riders.
The bowler hat, which was first invented in 1849, and is a clunker version of the modern helmets available today. They were made with a hard felt shell and rounded crown to more effectively fit the head and were built with soldiers in mind.
Charles Owen, now a major riding helmet manufacturer, created the first cork helmet for the military, but it wasn’t until 1928 that they began to be made with a hard outer covering to further resist impact. In 1938, Charles Owen made the first horse racing helmet, however it lacked many safety and security features like a chin strap, and it was little more than a hard plastic shell.
In the later parts of the 20th century, those in the horse industry began to realize that helmets needed to offer protection and fashion equally, especially for the more dangerous and fall prone disciplines like show jumping and cross country. Because of this, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) partnered to create the first riding helmet in 1990.
Now, all major helmet brands have their helmets are tested and ASTM/SEI certified to ensure adherence to strict safety guidelines and protocol, and ensure the best possible protection for the skull, and ultimately the brain, while riding.
More About ASTM/SEI and their Testing
The SEI is a non-profit organization that certifies equipment based on protective value in a variety of disciplines. When they begin to test a piece of equipment, they select a standard to compare it to. Then an auditor reviews the manufacturer’s process used to make the product, and the product is sent to a testing lab to be evaluated. Follow up’s are scheduled regularly to make sure the product still complies with the appropriate standards. To assess helmets, ASTM standard F1163 is used, and the helmets are audited and tested by Inspec and Intertek Testing Services respectively
ASTM creates standards for all sorts of equipment. Expert volunteers from a variety of field come together twice annually to review the standards and make amendments, as necessary.
For helmets, the most recent standards include topics such as head coverage requirements, how the helmet holds under steel anvil impact, its ability to withstand jerking and pulling, how well the helmet stays on a rider’s head, and the consumer information provided with the helmet. Some of the tests helmets will go through consist of: impact tests, conditioning in several temperatures plus a test for durability in water, as well as dynamic loading and stability checks.
When a manufacturer wants to undergo the certification process for a helmet, they submit the design and manufacturing information to the SEI. Then, an auditor visits to check out the entire process for the making of that specific helmet to ensure uniformity and dependability and peruse the quality manual for the product and the procedures for recall should it be necessary.
If everything is order, samples of the products are sent to the test lab for assessment. Provided the helmet passes all tests and inspections, it will be placed on the SEI Certified Products List, and be re-audited in 6 months from the certification date to ensure continuing quality, and once every year after this.
SEI/ASTM Certified Riding Helmet Brands — The Best Riding Helmet Brands
…and many others!
Why is Wearing a Helmet Important?
Riding has a higher rate of possible injury than many other sports. According to the Animal Science department at the University of Connecticut, helmets can decrease risk of obtaining a head injury while riding by 70-80%. ASTM/SEI helmets have specifically reduced severe head injuries by 50%. Additionally, repeated injury and trauma to the head can cause irreparable damage to the brain.
What to Look For When Buying a Riding Helmet
The first thing any equestrian should make sure of when buying a helmet is to make sure it fits properly. The sizes for helmets are decided based on head circumference, and then the measurement is compared to the brand’s sizing chart.
Most of the major equestrian brands have their own helmet fit guide and sizing chart. Generally, the helmet should fit around the whole head and the visor of the helmet should sit just above the eyebrows when on the head. The chin strap should touch the chin and be snug when clipped in place, but should not be too tight to pinch the ears or too loose as the helmet will not be secure.
Even if one moves their head a lot, the helmet should be able to stay in place on the head. If a rider is unsure about the fit of the helmet, they can get help from retail employees during the browsing process.
According to helmet brand Charles Owen, other things to consider when purchasing a helmet are:
1. The different kinds of helmets available and the discipline of the rider
2. Safety of the helmet
3. Additional helmet features
4. The style and finish used for the helmet
5. The budget you have
6. Where you purchase the helmet
Riding helmets are made differently for each discipline, as they all vary greatly from each other in terms of culture, risk, and activity level. So it is necessary to pick the helmet that best suits your personal riding habits. It is not uncommon for one rider to have multiple helmets for different occasions.
Charles Owen lists the main categories of helmet as:
- Premium helmets- used for general riding, showjumping, dressage, and trail rides. The fixed peak construction of these helmets does not make them appropriate for cross country or racing
- Jockey skulls- used for racing, eventing, hunting, schooling, and trail riding. They cover the majority of the head and do not have a fixed peak like the premium helmets
- Velvet hats- used for showing in general, showjumping, hunting and trail riding. The helmets with the most elegant look
- Polo helmets- used for the equestrian sport of polo, and offering the top level of protection as well as a wide brim to make it easy for riders to see while playing
When looking at helmet safety, one should look for a helmet that provides the most protection possible. Aside from ATSM/SEI certification, other ones you want to look for are PA5015:2011 and VG 01.040 2014-12 from BSI Kitemark. The more certifications a helmet has, the more it will help keep you safe. As a general safety tip, replace a helmet every five years or after any impact.
The main features of any good helmet will be: a removable liner for the inside that can be replaced as needed, a ventilation system to help keep you cool, a wide peak to offer more protection for your face and shade from the heat, and an adjustable chin strap. In regard to style and finish, what you should choose depends on the look you are going for. It can be anything from classic to flashy.
As far as pricing goes, helmets can vary greatly due to the design, features, the number of standards they meet, and finishes used. As a rule of thumb, always buy the helmet that will keep you as safe as possible for your level of activity. Always buy helmets from a well-established brand that meets at least one safety standard. There are less expensive helmets out there that can still keep your head safe.
I hope this information is helpful to you, and that you can use it when you buy your next helmet. Let’s keep spreading helmet awareness and rider safety for many years to come.
Written by: Bryanna Tanase