How to Size an Equestrian Helmet
The nature of equestrian sport involves a 1200-pound animal being controlled by a human one-tenth its size, often resulting in rider falls and injuries. The U.S. Pony Clubs, the standard for riding programs in this country, requires all of its riders to wear helmets approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials whenever competing or training. To protect themselves and remain safe, equestrians need to shop for a well-fitting helmet that protects the skull and won't fly off if the rider hits the ground.
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Instructions
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Wear your hair the way you normally wear it riding when you go to try on your helmet. A ponytail, headband, clips or other style can change the way the helmet fits after you purchase it.
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Place the prospective helmet on your head correctly, with the visor level across your forehead and the harness snug in the back. The visor's brim needs to fit about 1 inch above your eyebrows.
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Hold your head completely still while wiggling the helmet side to side and back and forth. In a well-fitting helmet, your eyebrows and scalp should move with it. If the helmet moves freely, go down a size; if the helmet is too tight, go up a size.
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Check the shape of the helmet against the shape of your skull. A helmet that is too round will squeeze your forehead and move freely side to side; a too-oval helmet fits at the sides but shifts back and forth. Many helmets come with removable pads to help you customize the shape to fit your head.
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Tighten the harness and chin strap to sit snugly along the nape of your neck and under your chin. A proper fit requires that you are able to slip only one finger between the chin strap and your throat to provide adequate protection for your head.
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Tips & Warnings
To ensure that your helmet's visor is resting in the right place on your forehead, rest your first two fingers parallel to the bridge of your nose and pull the visor down until it hits the tips of your fingers.
Many online tack merchants supply buyers with helmet sizing charts. You will need to use a snug tape measure around your head at its widest part to find your hat size if you choose to buy over the Internet.
Always wear a helmet when you ride.
In March 2010, United States Olympic Dressage rider Courtney King-Dye was seriously injured when she fell off a young, untrained horse during a schooling session. She was not wearing a helmet, and consequently suffered severe brain trauma that left her comatose for several months. The U.S. Equestrian Foundation established National Helmet Awareness Day in her honor in an effort to build awareness of the dangers of horseback riding and convince all equestrians to wear helmets when in the saddle, say Lyndsey White and Jeri Bryant of Riders4Helmets.com.
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- Photo Credit Horse Riding Girl - Horse stopped in front of obstacle image by Kradsmit from Fotolia.com
