With accidents happening at an alarming rate, the importance of questions like this one must be highlighted so that riders of all ages and expertise take them seriously. In the United States alone, there’s an estimate of 7 million people who ride horses. There’s always going to be a potential risk for these 7 million riders and all other riders around the world, but the risk can be minimized greatly.
I’ve been asked the following question and will, therefore, do the research to cover the topic from all angles.
When should you get a new riding helmet? Riders should replace their riding helmets every 5 years or sooner if the helmet has fallen to the ground or been struck hard enough to damage the shock-absorbing foam inside the helmets liner. Riders should also replace their helmets if;
- The helmet’s exterior has visible cracks and/or dents.
- The helmet’s color has been sunbleached substantially.
- The helmet’s mechanics for adjusting fit don’t work properly anymore.
- Parts of the helmet have been exposed to strong chemicals and are starting to deteriorate.
- The clips on the strap are starting to feel loose.
- The clips on the strap are missing their teeth.
- Other parts of the helmet start to loosen.
A long time ago I would only want to replace a helmet if it was visibly damaged. I’ve had helmets that I had used frequently for years and to me, they all seemed like they were in pristine condition. However, had I given a closer look at the helmet’s interior it would instantly expose how torn down the helmet really was.
With that said I would like to inform other riders that your helmets may seem like they’re in perfect condition or able to withstand anything but they aren’t. Make sure to replace them if needed.
In this article, we’ll go through everything about replacing a helmet and what you should think about. When you’ve finished reading this guide, you’ll be covered.
Do Horse Riding Helmets Expire?
It’s standard practice for a manufacturer to provide an expiration date on their helmets. The general consensus is that a riding hat will last about 5 years from the first time you put it on your head. You should be able to find an expiration date inside the helmet or in the instruction/user-manual.
With that said, I must shine a light on how rare it is for me to actually keep a helmet for 5 years without damaging it. I’ve been sharing my helmet with my sister who’s gotten into horseback riding lately and she’s just plowing through them one by one.
I’m still teaching her that she shouldn’t store them in direct sunlight. One day, when she doesn’t fall as often, she will make use of the tips I’m giving her.
What Is The Safest Riding Helmet?
a Swedish insurance company called Folksam tested 15 helmets to see which one would qualify for their “Folksam best in test or good choice” label. Out of the 15 different riding hats they tried, only 3 were given the label.
In Sweden, about half a million people ride horses and about five sustain head injuries every week. There’s a big market and a wide selection of different gear for equestrians. Ranging from expensive brands to cheaper alternatives.
Folksam’s test showed that the best alternatives are necessarily the most expensive ones. While some exclusive brands are synonymous with high-quality products, some of the cheaper alternatives do deliver a package that is similar in quality.
The three products that came out on top are the following;
- Back on Track EQ3 Lynx
- Back on Track EQ3
- Charles Owen Ayr8 Leather Look
If you want to read more about the test click here.
From what I’ve gathered, these helmets are considered to be quality products not only by Folksam, but also by a large portion of the equestrian community who has come in contact with these products.
Do You Have To Replace a Helmet After a Concussion?
Yes, you should definitely replace your helmet are you’ve fallen with enough force to sustain a concussion. The strike on the ground will most likely have damaged the helmets absorbing foam and the helmet should, therefore, be discarded.
Going against these recommendations will provide the rider with less protection the next time he or she falls.
How Do You Buy a Horse Riding Helmet?
If you’re thinking about buying a new riding helmet but feel overwhelmed by the number of different alternatives available, let me tell you this; you will be alright. Picking the right riding helmet isn’t a difficult task. Here are a couple of things you should think of when purchasing a helmet.
The first thing I look for when buying a new helmet is if the helmet in question has the appropriate safety standards.
In the United States, helmets are put through multiple tests by the ASTM (The American Society for Testing and Materials) to determine the product’s quality and safety standards. If you buy an ASTM certified helmet, you’re buying a helmet that’s good enough to pass at least the minimum standards set by the ASTM.
Other organizations that provide quality-certifications include;
- Snell
- Sei
- Kitemark
- Standards Australia
- EN
- Pas
Be aware though, amidst a bunch of ASTM-certified helmets you may find helmets with a label that says “For Dress Only” or something similar, these helmets do not meet the safety requirements and shouldn’t be relied upon to protect you when riding.
Be notorious when it comes to safety standards. Make it your number one priority that the helmet meets the safety standards. If you plan to compete with your new helmet you may want to research safety certifications even further as some certifications aren’t enough for certain shows/competitions.
Now, with that out of the way, the next phase is fitting.
It’s important that your helmet fits you well. You will most likely be wearing it for hours on end – even the slightest discomfort can become torture after long enough. To figure out your size, start by measuring your head’s circumference just above your eyebrows.
Using these measurements as guidelines, try different helmets until you find one that fits you well and sits comfortably on your head. Numbers and measurements alone won’t be enough to ensure that the helmet will fit well. Different models come in different shapes and sizes. The best thing would be to visit a shop where you can try the physical product prior to purchasing it.
And whatever you do, do not buy used riding helmets. There’s no way to know if the helmets interior has been damaged or not. Unless you’re very familiar with the person selling it and sure that the helmet is in perfect condition, I wouldn’t buy a second hand riding helmet.
I would let my sister sell me a used helmet, that’s as far as I’d be willing to stretch it.
I won’t get into more details on buying a new helmet. If you’re looking for more information on the subject you can read this article on thesprucepets.
What To Do With Old Riding Helmets?
Once your old helmet has been replaced, I’m sure you’re looking for something to do with your old one. Throwing it in the bin may not seem like the right place for it, and keeping it stored will just take up space. Now that it has been replaced, it won’t be used again so there’s no need to keep it for that purpose.
Because I didn’t want to throw my old riding hat in the bin, I did some research on possible ways of using the helmet. Here’s what I came up with. But first, if you do decide to throw your helmet in the bin, make sure to damage it enough to render it useless. You don’t want other people to find it and use it themselves or sell it.
You could drill a hole through the helmet, jigsaw it in half, cut the harness, or just go crazy on it until it doesn’t look attractive enough to pick up.
- Donate it to local drama groups as a prop.
- Use it for yard work: When working out in the garden, in the stables, out on fields or wherever it may be, the helmet can be used to protect yourself from the unforeseen. So far, my helmet has blocked a falling plank.
- Used it as decoration: I’ve filled them with dirt and planted seeds in them.
- Sell as vintage clothing: There’s a second-hand value to some velvet helmets. Make sure to render the helmet useless before selling it. Cut the harness. eBay or Craigslist are good options for this.
- Certain helmets, such as Casco, can be returned to the manufacturer for research purposes. In return, they will provide you with a new helmet. There are certain guidelines to be eligible for a helmet replacement. It may be worth checking with the manufacturer.
That’s all for this post. Good luck replacing your helmet and be safe out there. If you know of any other use for an old helmet feel free to leave a tip in the comments below.