- There are two types of riding helmets that riders use in horseback riding. One is basically for looks and does nothing to protect the rider during a fall. It is called an "Item of Apparel" helmet, and it is mainly just a shell. An ASTM/SEI helmet, on the other hand, is inspected and certified. It is built to protect the head during a fall and is even insured with liability insurance. ASTM stands for American Society of Testing and Materials, which does the inspecting of the helmet. SEI stands for Safety Equipment Institute, which certifies the helmets.
- Basically the entire head is protected by the helmet, but some areas have more than others. The back of the head and front near the forehead are reinforced. The helmet is meant to take the brunt of an impact during a fall. There are layers of air pockets built in to the padding that cushions the blow and absorbs the hard hit. This keeps the head from knocking back and forth too much, which in turn keeps the brain from bouncing around inside the head.
- The most important thing to remember when buying an ASTM/SEI helmet is that if it doesn't fit, it won't protect. Most ASTM/SEI helmets will come with extra padding that can be inserted into the helmet to help with fit. Also, the helmets come in several different sizes and shapes to make sure that the rider gets one that fits as close to perfect as possible.
