Thursday, February 24, 2011

Every Ride! Every Time! Equestrian Safety Helmets, by Lynn G.

Its never too late too start --if you're still able to -- to wear an approved equestrian safety helmet when you ride and then every time! Today's approved equestrian riding helmets are more lightweight, ventilated, comfortable, stylish (with many color choices), and more affordable then ever before. Certified equestrian helmets start in the $30-$35 range. There are helmet designs tailored to both English and Western equestrians ideal for training, trail riding, show, eventing, and ranch work.

Properly fitted ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmets can prevent death and reduce the severity of head injuries such as concussion sustained with riding accidents. SEI approved helmets have a proven efficiency of preventing or reducing the severity of head injury. SEI’s program is a rigorous one which includes annual compliance testing of all SEI-certified helmets, and stringent annual quality assurance audits at the manufacturer’s plant to ensure SEI quality requirements are maintained. SEI’s certification program for equestrian helmets has provided an important contribution to the safety of persons participating in horse sports and horseback riding. When the SEI label appears on equestrian helmets you should have the assurance that the helmet not only conforms to the ASTM F 1163 standard, but that the manufacturer consistently turns out quality products. Such manufacturers have voluntarily made a commitment to quality, to ensure that only safe products make it to the marketplace. All approved and certified ASTM/SEI brands of equestrian helmets are listed online at www.SEInet.org.

As per horseback riding and children at events that don't require an equestrian helmet, it is often up to the parents and adults present on the scene at the time to oversee the situation and look out for the children's welfare. Adults have to weigh the risk and of the kids' safety when riding ponies and horses. Children are not capable of making those decisions, as they can't understand the consequences of an injury. It is the adults' responsibility to look out for the children's best interest.

All helmets are not alike, and the public must be protected from companies making false claims of compliance to a standard or claims that a helmet is SEI-certified, when it is not. When the SEI label appears on equestrian helmets you should have the assurance that the helmet not only conforms to the ASTM F 1163 standard, but that the manufacturer consistently turns out quality products. Such manufacturers have voluntarily made a commitment to quality, to ensure that only safe products make it to the marketplace. All approved and certified ASTM/SEI brands of equestrian helmets are listed online at: http://www.SEInet.org. 

In conclusion, no helmet can protect against every head injury. However studies show a great reduction in both the number and the severity of injuries in those who use helmets every time they do ride.    

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