Re: RC: Re: helmets

[Linda Flemmer <bluwolf@earthlink.net>]

OK, Bette,  I'll fess up.

My new gelding is a handful sometimes as we green break him.  I've come
off more than several times inthe last 6 months.  I always wear a troxel
sport helmet, and Razz has been directly responsible for needing to
replace it, TWICE!

I was also taught to fall into a tuck & roll.  The helmet weighs so
little that it is inconsequential.  I don't feel as though it slows my
roll or that it weights my head to contribute to any whiplash.  The vent
holes on my Troxel are large enough that I stay cool in the summer time,
yet tree branches don't get stuck into them.  In the winter, I add a
polarfleece liner that Teddy Lancaster of Runningbear makes.  Toasty.  I
saw that Sport Tack has a new helmet also - even more ventilated than
the troxel.  I haven't seen on in person though.

In the first recent fall, Razz bucked (temper tantrum) and I fell & hit
a rock.  My helmet came off in two pieces as I sat up.  I was only
momentarily dazed.   The second fall, he stepped on my head as he shied
& whirled.  A horse hoof shaped piece came off at the temple.  I shudder
to think what would have been the case if I had been stepped on or ghit
the rock bareheaded.  My shoulder was more sore from holding his reins
as he pulled away to run than anything else.

The WORST accident I ever had, a helmet again saved my life.  My mare's 
both front feet broke through into a woodchuck's tunnel at a hand
gallop.  She flipped (complete summersault) and landed on top of me as I
was still in the saddle.  My helmet shattered!

I have no memory of that day, and only bits of the days following. 
After my time at the hospital, I was out of work for 6 weeks.  In
addition to broken bones and hurt muscles, I had trouble with speech,
balance, and coordination.  I had optic nerve damage related to
increased pressure in my brain.  This was WITH a helmet on to protect
me.  While I still have some expressive aphasia even today, but at least
I'm alive to talk to you all.

Folks in my riding area did look at me "funny" when I first started
riding around here.  A while back, some of the "fun" rides would have
folks snickering.  Now, I just hear, "Oh, she's an endurance rider. 
They need to protect themselves since they go so fast.  They all do
that"  It's nice to hear that endurance riders are becoming known for
being smart enough to protect their "smarts".

FWIW, I recently spoke to a kindergarten class about horses.  After
showing them the feed, tack, brushes, etc. I asked them what I did EVERY
time before I mounted.  "Put on your helmet!" was the unprompted horus. 
One little boy asked, "Even the guys?"  A little girl next to him asked
him if his brain was less important than hers.  A VERY good answer!

I wear a helmet EVERY time, no matter which horse, how long we'll be
out, where we'll ride.  I feel naked without it!

Linda Flemmer
Blue Wolf Ranch
Bruceton Mills, WV

Bette Lamore wrote:
>  Part of my
> fear of helmets is that I'm not sure what effect the helmet would have
> on my sommersaulting. Anyone care to comment?