Helmets Re-Visited

Sep 1, 2002 - © Vanessa

I have discussed the importance of wearing a helmet in a previous article, but when I came across this letter sent in to Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter, I felt compelled to share it with you. There are a thousand reasons for not wearing a helmet, and even those of us who routinely wear them are tempted at times not to bother. We need to hear these stories to give us resolve when it seems too hot or silly to be buckling on our "brain buckets."

I would like to thank Vanessa for her story, and thank Jessica Jahiel for giving me permission to share it with you. Jessica's HORSE-SENSE website is full of practical, sound advice and information for horse enthusiasts.

I hope you enjoy the letter and remember to wear your helmet - Every Ride, Every Time.

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From: Vanessa Subject: one rider's helmet story

Dear Jessica,

I promised myself that when I was released from the hospital, I would write you a thank-you letter. I hope other young adult and young-at-heart adult riders will listen when you tell them that helmets are not just for children or beginners - they are for everyone.

I am the kind of person who would never put a child or a beginner on a horse without a well-fitting helmet. Ever. Period. But I'm older, more experienced - and I don't plan on falling off of the horse I ride. :) So, the other day, I debated whether or not I needed to wear my helmet during an 'ordinary' dressage lesson. More out of habit than sense, I buckled it on.

Less than an hour later, I was in the emergency room.

If I hadn't been wearing that helmet, I would have been in the morgue.

Please understand, I am a good rider. I've been on horses for almost 20 years; I'm a Training level eventer who up until recently was riding three or four young, green horses every day. This time, I was riding a dead-quiet, sweetheart schoolmaster in a lesson.

Unfortunately, that schoolmaster was stung by the King of All Bees about ten minutes into the lesson. He bucked so hard, as I came off, I saw the top of a timer-box that is EIGHT feet above the arena floor.

I don't remember hitting the ground. I don't remember riding in the ambulance or having my clothes cut off me. I don't know what my attending physician told my parents and my boyfriend when no one could say with any

The copyright of the article Helmets Re-Visited in Horse Talk is owned by Vanessa. Permission to republish Helmets Re-Visited in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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