Help! AIBU to go horse riding WITHOUT a helmet?

[Horsequestion]

Ok I know I sound completely stupid but please hear me out! I’m just posting here because I asked my friend and she said it would be a good idea to get some other opinions on this from people who aren’t biased or know me.

I've ridden horses for a long time and am an experienced (but far from perfect!) rider. Right now I’m trying to bring my horse on and hopefully event or showjump him (whichever he is better at!) this year.

ive got a condition that flares up sometimes and makes my skin extremely painful and sore. It’s all over my head, neck and ears and putting my helmet on is actually excruciating. I’ve tried covers, dressings and all sorts to stop direct pressure on my skin but nothing makes a difference and the contact on my skin is horrific. I’ve tried different helmet brands and had them all professionally fitted for me but unfortunately nothing helps because my skin is the problem.

When the flare up is under control it’s fine, but when it’s active it can last for weeks or up to months until we get the right treatment for it. I feel so much better riding without my helmet because it’s not nearly as painful or uncomfortable. I don’t fall off very often and I would obviously always wear my helmet when hacking, jumping or doing XC. But for general schooling and doing flatwork, would I be a complete idiot not to wear my helmet?

My horse is quite big (16hh) and with the added height of the saddle etc I would estimate I’m around 5 ft 6 off the ground so obviously it’s a long way to fall off and I know it’s dangerous, but if the absolute worst thing I’m doing is cantering and I’m not jumping I’m just wondering if it’s worth the slight risk because I’m not in agony with my helmet on and even with the helmet you could still have a bad head injury anyway.

worth mentioning there’s no kids at the yard so I wouldn’t be a bad influence on them to ride without a helmet

sorry that was really long, I’m probably being stupid about it all but I’m just not sure what to do😢

I don’t fall off very often

Not odds I’d risk my life on by not wearing a hat.

I imagine a brain injury is more painful.

I work in A&E and can not tell you the amount of horse riding accidents we see from 'experienced' riders. I don't think it's worth the risk, no one ever thinks it will happen to them.

Sure, go ahead and ride without a helmet. If you're a total idiot.

That's the more eloquent version of what I meant.

You are being ridiculous. I would love to ride without a hat but its WAY too dangerous. If its too difficult to wear hat then you don't ride, end of

Definitely not worth the risk. Don't do it OP

Not worth the risk, imo. One bad spook and you're on the floor.

No way. That’s insane.

I’d do it if I were you, as it’s only temporary. Have you ever had a bad fall when not jumping etc?

Don’t do it. Huge no.

I'm still recovering from falling off during flatwork, in trot, when the horse tripped and couldn't stay upright. I hit my head very hard on the sand surface which hurt a lot even with the hat. Don't do it!

Your call. I’ve done it abroad when it was late-30s hot, but was usually the only adult wearing a helmet and they’d take the piss. Me and the woman who’d cracked her skull when she was younger.

I’m much more risk-adverse these days and even wear one to groom/fetch in from the field.

Is it possible you can visit a “real” saddlery so you can try on everything in the shop?

Do you have children or dependents? Do you have plans in place for if you suffer a brain injury or any other serious injury resulting from a fall off the horse?

I can see I’m a lone voice 😂

Don't be a complete idiot.

I know an Olympic rider who is basically glued to her horse, and he still threw her. It is an unpredictable animal, not a bicycle or car you are in control of (I very occasionally do short journeys by bike without a helmet but you will never see my DC without one). You either wear a helmet or get someone else to exercise your horse during flares.

I'd no more ride a horse without a helmet than ride a motorbike without one, or go caving without one.

Bloody dangerous.

Definitely not. You only get one head!!! The fact you're even asking means it'll be in the back of your head when riding and sods law states it's the time you'll fall off!

(Experienced horsey person with own neddies here)

Ugh horse riding injuries are horrific. I was doing flat work when the horse got spooked by a wood pigeon, went mad, I flew off into the fence and broke 3 ribs and punctured a lung. That was five years ago and I’m still riding but am a shadow of my former riding self. Absolutely no way on this earth I’d do ANYTHING without a helmet.

probably madness, but then cowboys don't wear them nor did horseback riders for centuries, and no doubt many had accidents but still. your decision.

Please don’t, I lost a friend who was a very experienced horsewoman but fell badly when riding without a helmet. An extremely rare and unlikely occurrence of course, but not worth the risk in my opinion.

I spent my youth riding all over the place without a hat, but we didn't put as much thought into things then. Even though I prefer that hatless feeling, I always ride with a hat now because it's just not worth the risk. You are no safer in the arena than out hacking. In fact, if you come off in the arena you've likely got lots of wooden fencing around you to hit your head on...
You have to use a hat when you're out competing, you always wear one when hacking, jumping and XC - so what's the point of risking your head when you're schooling?

I ride horses and motorbikes and I would never ride either without protective clothing. I've seen skin grafts because of a fall at 10 mph and broken backs at a trot. You can't replace your head or brain

German study:

They found that the relative risk for intracranial bleeding for unhelmeted riders was 5-fold higher and the relative risk reduction was 96% by wearing a safety helmet.

It's a no from me too. I'm sorry you're having such horrible problems, but please don't. I met someone trailriding once who had spent the previous year recovering from a ruptured spleen, having come off a horse that had been standing still at the time. And look at the number of people (including vets) who die every year having been kicked in the head on the ground.