Different Brands And Styles Of Riding Helmets And Helmet Covers For Every Type Of Equestrian Riding

Riding helmets are the one piece of equestrian equipment that no one can afford to skimp on. Luckily, there are several high quality, well made brands of riding helmets available on the market today, thanks to improved technology and materials testing, providing riders with a greater measure of security, safety, and comfort when working on and around horses.

While many novice riders make the mistake of believing that riding helmets are only for riding, it doesn’t take long before they realize that helmets can protect you from any number of injuries while still on the ground! Horses can push a rider into a wall, tree, or fence post without warning. When horses are especially glad to see someone, they often toss their head in the air. If they happen to come down on someone’s head, they will be very glad they were protected!

Equestrian clothing and riding equipment are specifically designed for the rider’s comfort, safety, and stylish good looks. Barns are not the place for baggy pants, sloppy, over-sized shirts, or sandals. Horses are too unpredictable to risk your health or safety due to wearing inappropriate equestrian clothing or to use poor quality riding equipment. The experts at The Equestrian Corner are prepared to provide you with everything needed to ensure a safe and stylish ride.

Riding Helmet Standards

All riding helmets are tested and approved by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) according to standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Riding helmets that have been approved by the SEI will always display an ASTM/SEI sticker. Most lesson barns and horse show venues will require that all riders wear ASTM/SEI approved riding helmets. Riders should only wear riding helmets that display an ASTM F-1163-04/SEI certification sticker

Not only do ASTM/SEI riding helmets provide protection, but they can also add an extra level of comfort to all types of riding. Thick padding and a ventilation system provide both moisture-wicking capabilities and a far more comfortable fit that was previously available on the market. ASTM/SEI approved riding helmets also feature an attached, adjustable harness to ensure a secure fit and the very best in safety.

Manufacturers And Measuring

Advance Technology, Air-Lite, Olympian, LAS, Dura-Soft Touch, Equi-vent, International, and Pro-Rider all make excellent, high quality riding helmets for riders of all ages. Most brands feature the Dial-A-Fit technology, which assures the very best fit possible while keeping riders of all ages safe and comfortable. These riding helmets are made from hard plastic and proven safe padding. The outer shells can be covered with soft velvet, velveteen, microfiber, or left uncovered.

To get the proper sized riding helmet, all you have to do is wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your forehead. Sizing charts on The Equestrian Corner website can then be used to determine the very best size riding helmet for your needs. For parents of young riders, it is very important that the helmet size and fit be monitored to ensure that the child does not outgrow their helmet and thereby lose its protective qualities.

Have Some Fun!

Riders can add an extra splash of color to their riding helmet with helmet covers or vent strips. The ATH Switch DFS Helmet provides riders with different pink, silver, and blue sparkle, interchangeable vent strips   that can add that special touch and still allow for much needed ventilation. Helmet covers offer more options for decoration, recognition, and protection. Plastic helmet covers are commonly used to keep dust, dirt, and wetness from damaging the more elegant velvet riding helmets.

Event helmet covers come in a variety of colors and materials to help identify the riders in the field. For just plain old fun, embroidered helmet covers, bicolor helmet covers, and printed helmet covers come in a variety of styles. For cold weather riding, you just can’t beat the warmth provided by a Polartec CozyCover with its wrap-around neck strap.

Keeping your riding helmet in good condition is as important as making sure your girth is tight. After a bad fall, a riding helmet should always be replaced. While it may not exhibit any damage, the integrity of the materials can be compromised, risking future injury. Keeping safe and looking good while enjoying the freedom of movement needed to ride well are what high quality equestrian clothing and riding helmets are all about.

Elbows in, heels down, and go for a ride today!