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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Please read! To show you this scary photo?

30 replies

Horsequestion · 02/01/2023 19:54

hope it’s ok to post here for traffic. I just wanted everyone to see this photograph.

I posted a really silly, stupid thread the other day about not wanting to wear my horse riding helmet as it was making my head uncomfortable due to a different medical condition.

My logic was that I rarely fall off and I’m an experienced rider and it would only be for flatwork in the arena and I would wear it hacking/jumping etc. I got (rightly so) called stupid for even considering it as it’s very dangerous. After reading the thread I realised how stupid I had been to even consider not wearing my helmet and thank god I did as I had a nasty fall yesterday and I’ve taken a photograph of my helmet after it saved my head. I dread to think what it would have been like had I not had my helmet on and my head took that impact.

my horse was cantering in the arena and spooked at a squirrel. I was thrown off and hit my head off the gatepost then somehow flopped/ rolled on the ground. I’m fine and not concussed or injured as my amazing helmet took the impact and is scuffed, knocked and cracked which unfortunately isn’t showing in the photo but you get the idea. The scuff marks and tears are all across the helmet so I actually don’t fully understand how I did it but some of them will be from the gatepost and some will be from landing/scuffing on the ground and flopping I suppose! Regardless, I’m so grateful it wasn’t my head. Thank CHRIST I wore it and I feel sick thinking how serious it could potentially have been without it.

thank you everyone for calling me stupid and making me see reality. I don’t know if this will make a difference to anyone but just wanted to reiterate never to make the same mistake I nearly did! Helmets are so important👍

(Side note- typical, I hardly ever fall off, but as soon as I say that I fall off! I must have jinxed it!)

Please read! To show you this scary photo?
OP posts:
FannyFifer · 02/01/2023 19:55

Thank goodness you listened. Very glad you are ok.

TheHauntedPencilCase · 02/01/2023 19:56

Thank goodness @Horsequestion ! I have been thinking about you after your post but hadn't commented as didnt feel I could add to much of the advice which I agreed with. Hope you are doing OK.

CampervanQueen · 02/01/2023 19:56

And this is why I never ride without a hat! Thank goodness you had one on today. Please buy yourself a new one though and throw this one in the bin.

NewBootsAndRanty · 02/01/2023 19:57

Oof - glad you're ok! You've got a replacement now, right?

CampervanQueen · 02/01/2023 19:57

This also applies for cycling helmets as well as horse riding helmets.

NewBootsAndRanty · 02/01/2023 19:57

Oof - glad you're ok! You've got a replacement now, right?

jevoudrais · 02/01/2023 19:58

Thanks for sharing OP. Well done for listening and not cutting your nose off to spite your face.

I hope you aren't too badly bruised and sore!

Ukholidaysaregreat · 02/01/2023 19:59

O wow! So glad you had your hat on! Xxx

londonrach · 02/01/2023 20:02

Hope you ok op and thank you for listening to other mnters...it might have saved your life... please replace the helmet x

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 02/01/2023 20:05

We have the same riding hat Grin

This reassures me that I bought a good quality one! I hope you're not too shaken.

Imdeafnotdumb · 02/01/2023 20:05

I was thinking of you when you posted this, and thought you might have been tempting fate. So glad your not injured 💗

Original poster
Horsequestion · 02/01/2023 20:27

thank you all very much ❤️ I’m absolutely fine and obviously I’ll never know for sure, but judging by my helmet I don’t think I’d have come out of that without at least a concussion or possibly worse if I hadn’t been wearing my helmet. It’s a horrible thought.

I just thought if someone else saw this it might just reiterate to them why to always wear your helmet, even for cycling as well👍

I definitely jinxed it by being cocky and saying I hardly ever fall off, typical eh!

i’ve chopped off the straps and binned it and I’ll buy a new one when shops reopen this week and in the meantime I’ll use my skull cap.

im so grateful everyone made me see how stupid an idea it was x

OP posts:
Angliski · 02/01/2023 20:29

A good friend fell off a spiked horse with no helmet. She had major brain damage, rehab for several months and had to be airlifted to safety.

Anotheryearsameshitshow · 02/01/2023 20:29

Hang it in the yard op. As a reminder of what could have happened.
Glad you are OK.

oakleaffy · 02/01/2023 20:38

Mum's GP's daughter years ago had a beautifully schooled pony.

Daughter and pony didn't come back from a hack.

The family went looking, pony found grazing next to daughter's body.

No one knew what happened. Pony calm enough not to gallop home.

No helmet on the poor girl.

Even the most well schooled equines can suddenly freak.

Helmets are uncomfortable and hot, {Especially if one has an egg ~shaped noggin like I do, and son has} but better than the alternative.

Original poster
Horsequestion · 02/01/2023 21:28

Angliski · 02/01/2023 20:29

A good friend fell off a spiked horse with no helmet. She had major brain damage, rehab for several months and had to be airlifted to safety.

I’m so sorry, I hope she is doing better now x

OP posts:
Original poster
Horsequestion · 02/01/2023 21:28

Anotheryearsameshitshow · 02/01/2023 20:29

Hang it in the yard op. As a reminder of what could have happened.
Glad you are OK.

Great idea!

OP posts:
Original poster
Horsequestion · 02/01/2023 21:29

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 02/01/2023 20:05

We have the same riding hat Grin

This reassures me that I bought a good quality one! I hope you're not too shaken.

Can’t go wrong with CO😂😉 genuinely the comfiest hat I’ve ever owned! Prefer this anyday over my samshield!

OP posts:
IAmAlreadyRegrettingMyGreyColourScheme · 02/01/2023 21:39

Good call op!
Pleased you're OK.

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 02/01/2023 21:45

Eek! I saw your post but didn't reply as it was quite long and most people had said what I was thinking (wear a helmet!)

So glad you listened, and hope you're not feeling too achy after the fall.

ScruffGin · 02/01/2023 21:49

Agreed, this is the dent in my ski helmet from last year after a skiing fall down a very steep slope... Was glad I was wearing it (often didn't when horse riding years ago, it wasn't as common then!)

Please read! To show you this scary photo?
DonutCrossMeIEatYou · 02/01/2023 22:04

Ohhh wow OP - this gave me goosebumps! So glad you’re okay. 💐

backinthebox · 02/01/2023 22:06

Glad you listened to people telling you to wear a hat. I used to show horses and was constantly being told that I should wear a beagler for showing, and that if my horse was well schooled enough I should not fall off and therefore not need a helmet. Absolute bollocks. I need my head in one piece more than I need to look good. To add to a proper helmet, I am also fastidious about proper footwear, which is often neglected. I know of several people who have been dragged, sustaining horrific injuries, because they got their foot stuck in the stirrup, and also riders who have had leg injuries due to kicks, being trodden on, or hitting their leg against a gate post. Well worth going out to look after or ride your horse correctly dressed.

BatshitBanshee · 02/01/2023 22:24

Ooof OP thank God you wore your hat. I've been riding for over 20 years - it isn't worth not wearing it, regardless of how confident you are or how good your horse is. I was trying a beautiful all rounder draught for a friend, well behaved and "unspookable". Allegedly. Decided to try him over a small jump and I knew something was off as we were coming up to it... He slapped on, swung around, I swung off and landed on my back propped up on my elbows. Horse kicked straight back, connected with my hat just above the brim. The inside of the hat was shattered but miraculously I was absolutely fine. Whenever I hear of anyone not wearing a hat I think back to that and shudder. The damage or worse there could have been had I not being wearing my hat or if my head was lifted literally an inch higher.

Stoptherideiwannagetoff · 02/01/2023 22:36

Good lord, thank goodness you listened! Mine side kicked me in the head once taking his travelling boots off, luckily as he was a known sod I had my hat on. Sent me flying eight feet where I woke up. I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't unloaded with my hat on. Sometimes we're all a bit too complacent! Glad you're ok!