05.04.08
Helmets are a rider’s best friend
Helmets ARE a rider’s best friend (next to their horse, of course!!)
I am so glad Horse Gal has written about this major safety issue, as I am a strong believer in always wearing a helmet when riding or driving horses.
FROM HORSE GAL:
A friend of mine was out trail riding on an absolutely perfect New England Spring day. Out of nowhere a dog came from around a bend in the trail. Neither my friend nor her horse expected it and both of them were startled… especially her horse. With the trail being narrow there was nowhere to go anywhere but straight. The horse spooked and my friend came off and hit a tree… with her head. She, as always, had her helmet on.
Meanwhile, the horse was galloping full tilt down the trail going who knew where. The owners of the dog (they’d been walking him in the woods) came around that bend in the trail and were just horrified at seeing my friend on the ground. They felt terrible that they hadn’t kept him on a leash, but they hadn’t expected to see anyone on a horse.
They helped my friend up, (who was shaken, but other than that ok), and walked with her back to her home (about a half mile), not knowing where the horse had gone. And what do you know — there was the horse, standing right in the middle of her paddock!! Just standing there, waiting… as if to say to my friend “What took you so long”? That must be her safe place and why she ran in there, don’t you think?? Is that smart or what?!
In the process, the horse did have to cross, what can be, a busy road and I doubt if she stopped to look both ways before she crossed, but nonetheless, she made it home safely without her rider. My friend did make herself get right back on her horse just walked around a bit (my friend was too sore for anything more than that). Both of them are fine, although my friend is still quite sore. My friend, who has been riding for many years, since she was a kid, said this was the worst fall she’s ever taken. Another example of why wearing a helmet is just good…. well, horse sense.
Questions from Horse Gal to Connie: Do horses generally do this?? Run home (if they are near their home)?? How smart is it that this horse knew where home was and how to get there?? I find it fascinating that she did that in the panicked and frenzied state the poor thing must have been in. To me it shows a lot about how they think… or at least how this horse thinks. Do you think that she must consider her paddock her “safe place”? I’d be interested in your thoughts on this Connie, and what you suspect your own herd might do in a situation like this.
Horse Gal
REPLY FROM CONNIE:
In my experience, horses always run home if they are in familiar territory. If they are on strange ground, such as on a trail ride to which they have been trailered, they may run back to the trailer or run blindly until they either feel safe again or find another horse to buddy up to and stay around.
I have seen horses run pretty wildly around horse show grounds and campgrounds, it’s not a pretty sight. But all horse people will try to help catch them, some more knowlegeably than others, and you just hope they don’t hurt someone or themselves or cause another horse to break loose or
get hurt. If you’re riding on another horse when you hear LOOSE HORSE (or see one coming!) just beware that your own mount will get all excited, maybe try to either join with or kick or chase the running horse. If your horse is tied or not securely penned (such as portable electric tape fencing), get control of him quickly.
One other tip. Bear in mind that it is never good safety practice to ride out alone, but surely tell someone else where you are going if you do. If there is another rider(s), do not go galloping off chasing the loose horse. Nine times out of ten he will return to be with his buddy horse(s) as soon as he’s not too nervous. Use your own judgment of the particular situation, but it’s best to keep YOUR mount calm and quiet and to wait it out for the runaway to come back on his own.
Q said,
May 23, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I’ve learned a few things about helmets after a few falls too. Always check the wear and tear on a helmet- any with a dent is compromised. Also try to get a helmet with a neckprotector and go to a reputable tackshop for a fitting. The extra money is worth not having a bad fitting helmet that won’t protect.
Helmet manufacturers will replace a helmet for free if damaged in a riding accident.
There is a nominal shipping fee ( International replaced my helmet when it cracked during a fall for $25 dollars and a questionaire.) They want to see what damage and how it happened.
Advice from a trainer I know never buy a helmet not guaranteed - If the manufacture won’t stand behind it they obviously don’t think it will work either.