One of the most crucial safety measures an equestrian can take to lessen the likelihood of serious damage is to wear a helmet. Helmets for horseback riding are made specifically to shield the rider’s head in the event of an accident. However, because there is no established English riding helmet sizing and because every person’s head is slightly different in form, finding a helmet that fits properly can be difficult. This buying guide will assist you in making the best choice of comfortable and protective equestrian helmet.
How To Choose the Right Equestrian Helmet
When selecting a horse riding helmet, there are numerous things to take into account. We’ve whittled them down to the top five factors to take into account while selecting the ideal equestrian helmet to make it simpler for you:
Choose a helmet specifically for horseback riding
It is impossible to emphasize how crucial this is. You cannot simply put on any helmet and believe that it will keep you safe if you fall off your horse. Make sure the helmet you purchase is created exclusively for equestrians. Horseback riding helmets are equipped with highly specific safety features that are expressly developed for the sport (and the height riders fall from).
Helmet features
Depending on the helmet you purchase, a variety of inner and external materials, air vents, and other features are available for improved safety and comfort. To assist you choose the best helmet for your needs, educate yourself on the various possibilities provided by the helmets you are considering.
Shape and fit
Each helmet manufacturer offers a unique range of sizes and shape options for their products. Some brands provide both oval and round helmets, while others only offer one. Make sure the helmet you purchase fits your head shape while making the purchase. It’s crucial to get this right because wearing a helmet that isn’t properly fitted can affect how well you perform. The helmet may be uncomfortable and distracting if it is excessively tight. It may slide over your eyes and impair your eyesight if it is too loose. Although the padding inside many helmets allows for some degree of size adjustment, you must still make sure your helmet is properly fitted.
A ROUND HEAD is likely the case if you put on a helmet and experience a heavy pressure or pain on the sides of your head. You are probably an oval fit if you put on a helmet and can fit your fingers just above your ears (most common).
Because they like the way it looks, many riders choose stylish helmets, but when they take the helmet off, you can see bright red pressure marks on their foreheads.
This is typically a warning that even if the helmet is snug on your head, your forehead is being squeezed, and you may actually require a different form helmet.
Style and design
There are many different styles of equestrian helmets available. Some have a matte finish, some are sparkly, while yet others have some bling. Whatever kind of riding you undertake, you can definitely find a helmet that showcases your individual flair!
Cost
Of course, the cost of the helmet may be an important factor to take into account depending on your budget. There are excellent helmets available at a range of pricing points, and helmet costs can vary significantly. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for; extra comfort and safety features will cost more. However, there are solid, inexpensive solutions. Check out our list of the best and safest riding helmets, which includes the more affordable One K MIPS CCS Helmet.
Your decision will depend on your riding discipline, your personal style, your budget, and what best fits your head, as long as you make sure the helmet you select complies with safety requirements (and all of the helmets we offer at the Farm House do!).
For a longer list of suggested helmets, see our article on the top horse riding helmets based on user reviews and our team’s personal experiences.
Types of Horse Riding Helmets
Equestrian riding helmets come in a variety of styles. Some helmets have a permanent peak that offers both sun protection and an aesthetic finish on the front of the helmet. Dressage, jumpers, and hunters frequently utilize these peaked riding helmets. For hunters and jumpers, velvet riding helmets are also common. These equestrian helmets are classy and conventional. Jockey skulls are frequently used in eventing and education. These helmets don’t have a fixed peak and cover more of the head. When choosing your helmet, keep in mind the riding discipline you follow.
Equestrian Helmet Safety
You cannot wear a helmet produced for another sport because equestrian helmets are specifically created with safety features for riding horses. Helmets for horseback riding can be certified by a variety of organizations, and various technologies and materials can enhance comfort and safety. You may discover helmets with extra vents for greater airflow and cooling, options for different shapes and weights of helmet materials, and different materials inside the helmet to customize it to match your head.
MIPS is a well-liked safety feature that some helmets offer. A neurosurgeon created MIPS, a multi-directional impact prevention system, to prevent the brain from being rotated by angled head strikes. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) does not currently require it, but it is something to take into account for enhanced security.
Read more: How Much Does It Cost To Own a Horse?