Helmets
Helmets
By Maribeth Dunlp
January 8, 2013
You know... I'm glad I had my helmet on yesterday. I was dismounting a young horse when my dog, Tiger-Anne, got up from lying in a dark corner and spooked my horse. He jumped forward just as my feet hit the ground sending me backwards and hitting the back of my head in the rubber footing. It hurt. I can only imagine how badly it would have hurt if I hadn't had my helmet on. Another good reminder why I should always wear one even on the most trusted horses.
I've been a regular helmet wearer now for about a year as I've wanted to be a good example to some younger students that I currently have. Thank goodness for those younger students of mine.
I was once one of those wild-childs. I grew up never wearing a helmet. I didn't even own one and at seven years old I didn't even think about them. Maybe I didn't even realize they existed. Who knows. Back in those days only hunter/jumper/event riders wore helmets and often folks would jump without them. I began wearing helmets when I was jumping in my teens and 20's and then stopped again when I started riding dressage. I was influenced by other dressage riders who also didn't wear helmets. Some of my teachers didn't wear them. As I got older I realized how much influence a teacher sometimes has on his/her students and as a teacher myself, I decided that helmet-wearing was a smart and responsible thing to do, for me and for my students. A friend of mine suffered a major brain injury several months ago from a riding accident (she was wearing her helmet) so this also has been a major reminder for me to wear helmets.
I'm not one and will never be one to preach to others to wear helmets because I'm just as guilty for not wearing one. But I think sharing my own personal story is important. I do require all riders to wear helmets when riding at my facility and in my clinics. I always carry one with me along with the rest of my riding equipment to all clinics that I teach. It is now just a regular part of my equipment just like my boots, gloves, saddle, etc.
When I tumbled back and hit my head my little Tiger-Anne was so cute. She came running over and sat beside me as I was sitting there assessing my condition. My horse walked over too and nuzzled me as if to say he was sorry. Such sweet animals! They express their love so willingly. Couldn't ever imagine living without them. And I'm back in business, full-swing today - thanks to my helmet.
~Maribeth
