Mounted search and rescue

[Jonah Libsack <jonahlibsack@hotmail.com>]

Irv
 
Sounds like you have had a great deal of experience with helmets.  I am interested in your opinion.... which Brand and/or model do you find best?

Thanks,
Jonah
Flathead County SAR

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Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:28:50 -0500
From: ilichten1@verizon.net
To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [MSAR] MSAR and Helmets

The first 4 years I rode trail I wore a watch cap or something similar.  I was also riding an 11 year old hack-line trained horse. I think I lost 3 pairs of glasses against trees during that period.  I replaced the first horse with a 3 year old Percheron who was a little taller (17-2 v 16-3) and was totally green.  I started wearing a Caliente style racing helmet shortly thereafter.  I took a fall during his early training when a saddle that didn’t fit well slipped and I pulled him down on top of me.  The helmet hit a concrete well cap and cracked through the shell.  He got up and ran to the barn about a hundred yards away.  I had a very small cut on the bridge of my nose from my glasses, and a dislocated finger which I reset myself before driving to the hospital for an x-ray.  I have retired 2 more helmets since then (Troxel EQ) : one for a stick going through the top shell and most of the inside foam, and one for a tree limb hit breaking  the foam over an ear. 

 

We still see people who ride without a hat or in a reproduction Stetson, and some odder things.  I have even seen a rider in a German WW1 cavalry helmet, spike and all.

It comes down to do you want to come home in one piece or not.  Most accidents happen in mounting and tacking areas at home where complacency may be a significant factor.  Wearing a helmet is now required by all competition sanctioning bodies, some states through their liability limitation acts, Pony Club and 4-H at all venues, even lessons.  The most dangerous areas seem to be paddocks, mounting blocks, and open fields hiding farm machinery. And a Troxel is generally cheaper than a real quality Stetson type hat. (Note: the Stetson Hat company was headquartered in Philadelphia for years until it closed and the brand was sold.)

 

Irv Lichtenstein

SE PA SAR  

 

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