Horse Riding Helmets for Horse Lovers
The Christopher Reeve Story
Most movie lovers remember him well. Still, more Superhero lovers remember too. Many experts of this popular genre are still debating which actor portrayed Superman best on the silver screen. This super hero’s tragic horse riding accident raised awareness amongst horse lovers and riders about the importance of wearing horse riding helmets.
Brandon Routh’s Superman came and was soon forgotten. Only grandparents may have fond memories of The Lone Ranger riding on his trusty steed, Silver. Henry Cavill quickly rose to fame through his supporting role in the British TV drama, The Tudors, in which his dashing good looks may have outshone his regal rival in Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ Henry VIII. So much so that he was aptly cast in Christopher Nolan’s latest reincarnation of Man of Steel.
Cavill cut a fine figure as the Krypton refugee with awesome superhuman powers. But for most moviegoers old enough to remember, it was Christopher Reeve who caused women’s hearts to flutter and shattered men’s ego’s. Horse lovers remember the late Mr. Reeves for more tragic reasons. After his horse riding accident in 1995, he became a hero in the truest sense of the word, raising awareness and campaigning on behalf of similarly afflicted quadriplegics, particularly those with spinal-cord injuries, across the world.
Through tragedy, Superman was confined to a wheelchair, relying on a ventilator for the remaining years of his life. At the time of his accident, Reeves was competing in an equestrian competition in the US State of Virginia.
Why John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, And Other Cowboys Never Wore Helmets
The true reason why John Wayne and Clint Eastwood never wore helmets back in the day when cowboy movies were all the rage and most of the world shrieked with joy when the galloping heroes mowed down the bad guys with their colts, was simply that they were merely cantering. The stuntmen were doing all the hard work, so there was never really any danger of the rugged Hollywood stars getting injured. Mr. Eastwood, however, may be loath to argue otherwise. Truth be told, handsome cowboys with their wide hats conjured up images of machismo and bravado.
Thankfully, those cowboys are an endangered species and humanity is evolving towards kindness and tolerance in all things cultural. The same could also be said for the horses who are cared for with a great deal of love from their owners. But horse and carthorse riding are still widely popular, even in remote parts of the world far from the US or Great Britain. There are some arguments in favor of cultural traditions in which the horses have no neighing say in the matter.
Safety in these sporting traditions is more of a concern than ever before for the jockeys who wear protective helmets as a matter of course. Horse racing accidents still occur, given the speed at which the horses are driven.
The Challenges Of Thinking With Your Head And Heart
Most horse lovers are also ardent lovers of nature, so perhaps the temptation of letting the hair flow freely in the wind during riding excursions is always there. But, as the legacy of Christopher Reeve has shown, it is not a sensible exercise of human liberties. Practicing natural inclinations towards wisdom, horse riders should be wearing equestrian helmets at all times. As Equine World UK shows in their online guide to protective accouterments for horse riding, the risk of head injuries is high, particular where lunging over uneven terrain is concerned.
Safety Features Of Horse Riding Helmets
When purchasing an equestrian helmet for the first time, the most important and obvious function of the helmet is that it will protect the head. Another reason why many seasoned riders stubbornly avoid wearing the required device is that they often report that it is too uncomfortable and affects their ability to perform. They also say that it doesn’t look good. If they wear anything at all, it is usually the classic hunt cap which offers them little or no protection at all.
Both new and experienced riders cannot afford to have misgivings about comfort, performance, and looks because the health and safety of both rider and horse is paramount. In any event, most new designs are anatomically sound and fashionable and those riders who wear their helmets will testify to the most important features of the equestrian helmet; comfort, ventilation, safety, and aerodynamics.
Who Wears Equestrian Helmets And Why You Should Too
Children taking horse riding lessons for the first time will (and should) always be seen wearing safety helmets. In some US States, it is now law. English-style riders are becoming more acquainted with the idea of wearing it, and it generally standard practice amongst professional riders in horse racing, show jumping and other equestrian events. Check price & availability on Amazon.
