Would you replace this helmet?

[overitunderit]

I came off my pony today. We are crap at corners in the arena in canter- she always cuts the corners. We've been working on this with my instructor and it's part pony and part my fault. Anyway today she cut the corner in canter and nearly went over a jump wing that was in the arena that I'd mounted off. She had to quickly change direction and I fell off. Nothing was damaged other than my ego but I did bash the bottom right hand side of my helmet on the floor. Not hard but I felt it. I don't have any signs of concussion. My question is whether you would replace your helmet (knowing how much this costs!) or not?

I’d tell myself it needs replacing, carry on wearing it a couple of times (a) because I’m lazy and (b) because it’s expensive… then think well… I haven’t died yet…. And what if my replacement was dropped by postperson/shop worker/ manufacturer…?! Did I really hit my head that hard?! And carry on using it until the next time it’s hit, where I’d go through the same process again

Yes I personally would and 100% would if DD did that. There could be hairline cracks that you can't see and at the end of the day why risk it 🤷‍♀️. That's also the reason I don't buy stupidly priced fashionable hats for either myself or DD, just properly fitted + most up to date safety standards.

Yes I would - I came off at speed last summer and landed on a concrete wall - I thought I’d ‘just’ hit my back and side (several broken vertebrae, ribs and a massive haematoma on my hip), but turns out I’d also had a head trauma and had episodes of dizziness so the consultant said I absolutely had to replace the hat I’d been wearing at the time which was less than a month old . Broken bones heal relatively quickly, head injuries aren’t so simple. Luckily the hat that fits me best is a champion junior skull cap so under £100.

Yes.

I don’t if I come off and absolutely haven’t hit my head in any way. But you have hit your head and the hat did it’s job. It might not next time. If you are likely to come
off again given the circs I’d get an inexpensive hat and expect to be replacing often (we’ve all been there at some point. My record is 4 hats in a year).

I think my gut is telling me you're all right and I need to buy a new one but they are just so bloody expensive (even the no frills ones!) that I was just hoping I was being a bit over cautious 😢

Cheaper than a new head!

3:51 of the video shows the inside of your hat after an impact:

It looks fine on outside, it's no longer capable of absorbing another impact on the inside.

Not worth the risk.

Thank you! I'll watch this x

yep I would. I don't buy fancy hats for this reason (obviously I make sure they're up to standard, but I don't buy the more expensive prettier ones) - I work off the assumption that I might fall off the day after buying it and need to replace it. My resolve was tested when I fell off the day after replacing my hat! But it was a proper smack so back to the tack shop I went...

Glad I'm not the only one!

I am however not a role model so don't copy me!!!!

I fell off my bike and was umming about replacing mine.

I got a new helmet in the post from my sister!! (Maybe she does love me after all)

Yes. I had two falls in a month off my young horse. I buy the champion skull cap like the PP but my head is a 55cm so I’m usually in a cheaper range. It’s about the only time I’m pleased I have a pin head!

Definitely!

My local tack shop has a hat that's sawn in half; the outside looks completely perfect, but the inside is completely caved in.

Yes, definitely.

You can get hats that are the right standard for less than £100 - much, much cheaper than a lifetime of disability because you've given yourself brain damage.

The trouble is that the cheap one doesn't always fit.

I agreed to buy one as a gift for a young relative, ended up spending almost three times what my helmet cost. Not because it was anything fancy, just to get the fit right.

Thanks everyone. The one I've got is a basic skull cap but it fits well. I might just order the same one online or pop down to the local tack shop when I get a minute this week to see if I can get one. I do try and support them when I can.

Best to make sure it meets the new safety standards, not all hats on sale do. New standards are: PAS015, VG1 and ASTM.

I think you can send them to one of the manufacturers and maybe get a voucher?

It went in the bin!!