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😢

Think Christopher Reeves. Anything can happen, even to experienced riders.

I was going to ask if it was scalp psoriasis OP. I have it and since starting riding again I've had to hit the coal tar hard. Luckily that keeps it under control but I only ride once or twice a week.

Can you ask to get this moved to the Tack Room? You might get better advice on products etc.

My worst accident was actually at a halt; pony was stung by something, went up on her hind legs and over on her side, trapping my leg. 25 years on I still have a patch with no feeling and that was a very minor accident really.

It sucks because of course your horse has to be exercised. Does he lunge well? Ideally you should wear a hat for that of course but you don't have the height factor.

I thought it was a legal requirement for horse-riding.

Anyway even if it isn't. if wearing a helmet is too uncomfortable you just can't ride until it isn't. It's not an option not to wear one. If you fall off a horse it's a very long way down!

I used to when I was state side. If you trust your horse and stick to flatwork I would.

You really need to ask?

Yes you are stupid not to wear a helmet - maybe even deadly stupid to not wear a helmet

As if my opinion makes any difference but you did ask!

I've ridden for over 40 years. Worked with horses for 25 years. Never, ever ride without a hat. I've seen horrific injuries including one lady who fell off in a sand school in walk, just a silly fall but the horse ended up treading on her head. Luckily she was wearing a hat but still ended up with a dent in her head which she still has to this day. No doubt she would have been dead without her hat. I once was leading a tricky horse that knocked me over and I ended up head butting concrete. One lump the size of an egg and a concussion later and I would even lead horses in a hat. Nothing wrong with being over careful.

I have a brain injury. not related to horse riding. Believe me it’s just not worth the risk.

I was teaching a clinic when a lady's girth gave way and she flew off, with the saddle still between her legs. She just missed the fence but it was a heavy landing. Nobody expects the unexpected. Good decision to take the safer route Op, I hope you can find something to make things more comfortable.
(You're very nice to people who are weighing in long after you agreed you wouldn't ride without a helmet). 😂

Fell off my 15.3 hacking and first thing to hit the floor was my head. Wear the hat, I was grateful I did.

Of course you can. You're a grown up who understands the risks. Your body, your problem. Have fun.

Glad you realised it would be a foolish idea @Horsequestion , totally understand pain making you irrational though!

Odd suggestion, but if it's an eczema type thing I've found keeping cool helps (and I guess sweaty helmet - fnar - would make it worse) so could you have some kind of liner for your helmet that you keep in the freezer/fridge? Like a Buff type thing maybe, soak it and cool it?

"Right now I’m trying to bring my horse on and hopefully event or showjump him (whichever he is better at!) this year."

+++

There is no way any show jumping or Event will allow you to compete without a helmet on.

So if that is your objective and that for skin condition reasons you cannot wear a helmet then sadly it's not going to happen so you may as well stop now.

If you have dependents then no, you shouldn't. It's not fair on them.

If you're footloose and fancy free then it's your choice. It's already a dangerous sport with helmet. The helmet just mitigates some of the danger.

If it were me, I would wear the hat. But if this is a life long condition that is unlikely to get better, then maybe it is worth the risk to enjoy little bits of pleasure where you can. You know you'd probably be ok. But if you fall the consequences could be awful. Only you can judge.

If you get hit by a car you may not have a choice about how you fall!

And what happens if you land on your bum and the horse trips and kicks you in the head? Or falls on top of you and sends you flying backwards onto concrete or into a tree?

The queen rode hatless and lived for a long long time.

Different answer but I have psoriasis of the scalp and ears. Wella menthol shampoo (blue bottle, sometimes in tk maxx) has almost irradicated it. Silk next to the skin is also successful, , a scull cap unneath might work. I am not a rider but my friend slipped in wellies and now has a plated leg. Can no longer ride. No insurance as she shouldnt have been riding without her boots.

That means nothing.

It only takes one small thing to cause a fall, which could in worse case scenario, cause life changing injuries, which you may not be insured for, if you don't take every possible step to mitigate injuries.
I regularly watch those helicopter, air ambulance programmes and the amount of very experienced riders being unseated and having to be rushed to hospital is ridiculous and you admit yourself you're not the best rider in the world, so to not wear a hat is just silly, you'd be better off not riding at all, if you can't bear the discomfort.

That was the argument against seatbelts and motorcycle helmets. Not really fair on the paramedics, surgeons and police, who have to quite literally pick up the pieces. It being your body does not give you the freedom to do everything you wish to.

One of the minority of YANBU voters because you said for flatwork and schooling only. There's always a risk with riding horses as with many other things too and helmets/riding hats merely reduce that risk not remove it.

Sounds like you have enough to deal with and riding is one of your pleasures so carry on as you feel best.

I hope you find a solution to your scalp problem soon.

A totally personal choice. You know the risks you are taking, so long as you can live with it, then it has nothing to do with anyone else

When you start telling people what they can and cant do with their own body, you go down a slippery slope.

To use the standard horsey terminology from the people I've known (and from having scalp Psoriasis myself --and a dead brother due to a head injury sustained from standing height).

Don't be so bloody stupid.

Psoriasis is bloody horrible. But it doesn't render you paralysed from the neck down or as an ideal organ donor candidate.

Definitely an idiotic move. The nhs shouldn’t have to treat you for free if you then fall off and get a brain injury.