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Re: [RC] Helmets... again - Equus WolfI have a problem with this assumption. I don't wear a helmet out of fear. If that were true, I would either be in complete body armour, a body bubble or just get out of horses all together. Or maybe I'm just totally addicted and can't seem to leave horses alone, even though I've developed some irrational fears over the years. I haven't come off of a horse since June 2003 (and I only remember that date because it was 3 days before a planned major surgery(can we say woohoo can sit that trot without pain now?!!) that wouldn't allow me to ride for at least 6 weeks), and managed to pull a groin muscle getting back ON the horse. The longer I go without falling off of a horse, the more fearful of it I become I think. But not of injuring my head - of breaking a leg, an arm, my back. I know the risks and keep on riding, but WITH my helmet. I'd much rather crack that helmet than my skull. Of all of the tumbles I've had in
the 20yrs I've ridden horses(including cracking my tailbone), I can honestly say I have yet to hit my head on ANYthing. Do I know how to fall and protect my head? Am I lucky? Who knows.. I'm not risking it the next time. I will wear my helmet in the off chance that my horse stumbles or spooks or slips or God forbid, gets totally stupid and bucks or rears and knocks me off. It is for protection of the unseen, not fear. If it were fear, most of us would not be riding. I did learn my lesson riding bikes - had a dog cut across the road in front of me going 34mph on my bike down a steep hill. Barely clipped the dog who was not hurt, but it knocked my bike over. I didn't hit my head at the initial impact with the road. As my bike was being spun by the wheel with me caught in the spin, I couldn't hold my head up anymore and hit it on the pavement. That spot is still sensitve to pressure to this day. I like my
head in working order, even if sometimes it may seem I don't have brains between my ears. I have seen enough helmets split in two to realize how many lives they *have* saved. That is enough for me. I rather like it here on earth being able to ride, even if it's not with the wind in my hair. If I want that, I'll get a box fan. Sure, when it is our time to go, it may be our time - BUT that's not enough reason for me to forego the helmet as a precaution. So if it is assumed fear is what makes riders wear helmets, can we assume that those that choose not to because "they have no fear" don't respect their life or are psychic and just "know" nothing is going to happen to them? I don't have a problem with those choosing to NOT wear helmets. That is a personal decision. Just don't try to overanalyze why those of us that do wear them choose to do so. Just as I do not make assumptions as to why someone else may
choose to NOT wear helmets, don't make assumptions on my reasons. Jennifer From: Lif Strand <lif@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [RC] Helmets . . . Again I think most of the problem I have with the arguments about the need to wear helmets is that they are all fear based. I think it all comes down to the fact that people who don't wear helmets when they ride have nothing they fear. The way I see it, people should do what they want to do because they want to do it - living a live because you're afraid not to do something is not good enough for me. If someone wants to wear a helmet, then wear a helmet. If you feel that the risk is enough that wearing a helmet is justified, wear one. But please, don't be telling others to wear helmets, using fear arguments as justification for that point of view.
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