[table id=4 /]
Helmetless horse-riding shows you are an inspired horse trainer, if Pat Parelli is to be believed.
The reason you do not see our people wearing helmets is because we try to teach people that rather than be brave because they are wearing a a helmet to protect them, they would be better off not riding until their horse is behaving safely.
If you have been around horses for longer than a nano-second, you realise that a horse is indeed a flight animal and that no horse is immune to slipping, stumbling, getting a fright, or some other mishap – NO MATTER HOW WELL TRAINED, as demonstrated in this video by Belle441 (via YouTube):
Horse falls – best to be wearing a hat
Of course training is important (and underestimated by many), but apparently common-sense is not always so common…
Perhaps the Parelli ‘preposterous position’ needs changing. Pop over to Kimberly Cox Carneal’s Enlightened Horsemanship blog for a letter and response from the Parelli organisation on helmet-use.
I don’t know about where you live – but here horse professionals pay a small fortune to be covered for horse-related accidents, yet one of the biggest suppliers of people to hospital wards is not the professional, but the amateur rider (who may have lower skills and experience), and who is easily influenced by a high-profile horse/rider trainer telling them they don’t need riding helmets.
Protect your most precious asset – wear a lid!
No related posts.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Amen!
Even the very best bomb-proof lesson horse can trip in a hole, get stung by a bee or just have an “off” day. Better to wear the brain bucket and protect yourself.
One of my camp therapeutic riding horses bucked someone off this past summer. The gelding was practically a saint for 12 weeks of camp, but one random day threw a few small bucks while being led. (The rider was fine–just a few bruises.) Even the best horses can have bad days.
One of the barns I rode at in high school required all the kids under a certain age to wear helmets not just when riding, but anytime they were around the horses (groundwork, tacking up, etc.) When it comes to horses, I think it’s sometimes better to be make sure you’re doing everything to keep yourself safe!
cheers,
Mary
Mary – you are so right!
I always wear a helmet when teaching horses to trailer-load, and at times when rehabilitating horses on the ground. There is nothing to be ashamed of with wearing a helmet or a pair of gloves, or sturdy boots. In fact, I have added respect for people that recognise the need for appropriate kit.
Happy training ; )
Huh. Trailer loading.
I would have never thought of putting on my helmet for that. Great idea. I could definitely see how with some horses it would definitely be added safety to wear a helmet to teach trailer loading–especially if the horse had issues in the past with trailers.
Mary
I can’t afford to lose the value of my education just to feel more free or unencumbered….my greatest disappointment in the parelli program…their horrible example of safety when it comes to helmet use. How many Linda parelli look-alikes want to wear a dorky helmet when they could have a saucy ponytail over their golf visor? (the ones who know someone with a closed head injury)
Thanks for your comment – unfortunately we are not a ‘clothing trends’ blog, so I don’t feel qualified to discuss golfing-hats!
I think it’s amazing that the Parelli’s are secure enough in their business to take this risk. It’s an odd counterpoint to today’s litigious society, where everyone works with the fear of being sued in the forefront. The conversation on LinkedIn about a 1.2 million dollar wrongful death award reveals to me that this kind of issue will not go away, and that the Parelli’s had better wake up.
If they are in a position to make a difference in people’s lives, they’d better use that for good before it bites them in the you-know-what.
I think it is a very strange stance and I do not think it sets a good precedent their clients–especially novice, first time horse people which is who they market to! Everyone should wear a helmet but if you are going to make a profit off of individuals new to horses I would really hope that you would emphasize safety first.
I practice defensive driving and I still wear a seat belt, I practice safe and reliable training methods and I wear a helmet!
Hi there
I thought I would add my thoughts to this. i don’t think the Parrelis are saying you shouldn’t wear a hat, or that making one makes you stupid, rather that wearing a hat can give some people a false sense of security. make your horsemanship so effective that you don’t need one then make your own decision. Horses can be just as dangerous on the ground and how many wear a hat then ? There were people at this years parelli conference ( UK) wearing hats. And yes I do, but I know that my safety is not guaranteed by that. x
“make your horsemanship so effective that you don’t need one then make your own decision. Horses can be just as dangerous on the ground and how many wear a hat then ? ”
Lucy, you make a great point! I know plenty of people that have been bitten, kicked, injured, etc. on the ground. The only horse injury that has sent me to the doctor was last fall–I broke a finger in a silly accident doing ground work.
I do know some English barns that make the children wear helmets even when interacting with horses on the ground. Which I think is a great idea.
I’ll have to disagree with you on your comment about “make your horsemanship so effective that you don’t need one.”
Many of the worst riding accidents end up from some completely stupid cause or freak accident. Something that couldn’t have been predicted and where even good horsemanship doesn’t matter.
It’s like driving a car. I consider myself a good driver. However, I still wear a seat belt because there are plenty of factors beyond my control that could lead to me getting hurt.
Mary
Hi Lucy,
Thanks for adding your thoughts… I was waiting for someone to respond to the provocative title – don’t worry, I don’t think Pat Parelli does mean that wearing a hat makes you stupid!
I think you are correct that a helmet can give a false sense of security, but equally recognise that no matter how ‘effective’ your horsemanship is, accidents can and do still happen.
I am relieved to hear that many were wearing helmets at your recent conference – long may the sanity prevail!
AMEN! I have often wondered if parents value the brains of their english riding children more then those who chose to ride western. I saddly can speak from first hand knowledge about how a life can permanetly change in the blink of an eye. I also don’t understand why the dude ranch didn’t suggest (if not require) the use of a helmet given the risks that they as professionals should better understand then I the green horn. I have incurred almost $100,000 in medical treatment, only work part-time and suffer post concussive brain trauma symptoms. And the state statue protects the ranch.
My life is changed…for ever and it might have been avoided by a $40 helmet.