Turn in/out- do you wear riding hat?

[gallop_on]

I was leading my share horse back to the yard on Tuesday night and he spooked, bumped into me and turned round and bucked. I put my arm up as a reaction to protect my face and his hooves got me on the arm. I have a cracking bruise on my upper arm and thought what if he did get my face and head area.

This lead me to think 'would it be wise to wear a hat when you lead to and from field'. No one on our yard does but is there anyone out there who does wear their hat?

[Sapphire Salute]

I dont in the fiedl, although i should because ive had an accident there before. I always wear one when leading inhand, which makes it look like ive fallen off and cant get back on again!:o

[Harvey99]

Yes, always :)
My hat goes on my head when I arrive at the yard, and it stays there until I leave usually.
Apart from the obvious safety issues - it also has the advantage of being somewhere to keep it !! And keeps my head warm in the winter :p

[NoviceNic]

My horse got spooked last month and turned onto me. He realised I was there so he reared over me and I went under his neck. Luckily he didnt touch me but it made me realise that I should wear my hat religiously when I bring in and turn out. I always wear my hat now. I would rather be safe than sorry. ;)

[martini55]

For me it's honestly something I have never considered, which I admit is really stupid. Horses are unpredictable animals and we are at risk everytime we are around them. I think it is very sensible to wear a hat whilst leading in from the field, to protect you in those situations that no-one would see coming.

[chev]

I do now. Mainly because a recent thread got me thinking... why am I so bothered about wearing a hat to ride and nothing else when most of the nastier injuries I've had have been on teh ground?!

So yes, I do actually now wear a hat whatever I'm doing with the horses.

My brain is dysfunctional enough without copping a good kick too.

[Bronya]

Depends very much on which other horses are in the field. My two, on their own, I don't. Yes, I know that one day an accident might happen, but Sunny's reaction to everything scary is to try to run, and if she can't, to double barrel her handler in the chest. With me and my OH she usually just quivers and trusts us. With Mysti, she has reared over me, once, years ago. Not since, and nothing really scares her.

With a strange horse, I probably would, especially anything bigger than my two, and I have done when a certain other horse is in their field as she did try to kick me in the head once.

[Peanut]

I confess that I never do.

[Wally]

I made all the kids wear hats who were dealing with the horses, but I confess I don't, unless it's a horse I know I am going to have a battle with!

With our lot you need safety boots, as most can't reach your head, even standing on their back legs :D :D :D :D

Seriously, though, With the breeds we work with they so very rarly do things like that, the risks are fewer.....not completely devoid of risk, but less.

[Mehitabel]

everyone under 16 does at our yard, becaue of that recent insurance case. over 16 is at your own risk - the full time staff do as an example. i tend not to in general, but it does go on as soon as i am dealing with a horse who is unpredictable or predictably a pain.

[jovi_y2k2]

yes we have to wear hat and gloves at college whenever we are leading our horses about

[Afellpony]

Yep, I wear a riding hat when I'm bringing Falcon in or turning him out. I do it for my own safety because I've seen how quickly nastsy situations can arise and sometimes with tragic consequences. My insurance company will only pay out for an accident if all possible safety precautions have been put into place.I also put gloves on if I have them with me.

[Nookster]

I honestly never wear my hat unless mounted. Dangerous i know

My friend’s sister has metal plating in her head from turning out horse. She was at the gate letting a horse off when they started fighting amongst themselves. She was kicked in the head and knocked unconscious. She lay there until her family realised she was missing. Not sure of what damage she has but she now has a metal plate in her head. She still rides.

[coss]

Unless i know the horse is particularly "difficult" and likely to kick/rear etc i don't bother, i know i should but i generally don't unless my head is the method for carrying the hat when i've got my hands full. One of my horses gets a little exciteable from time to time and he did leap in the air once and reared up nearly kicking me in the head before school but i hasn't made me want to wear a hat for some reason. I know someone who is quite happy riding without a hat :eek:, I draw the line there

[Kady A]

It is a recommendation on our yard that you wear hat and gloves for turnout/turn in. A recommendation that is shortly going to be heavily enforced.

I have seen one or two people get nasty injuries that could possibly have been prevented or at least reduced if they had been wearing just a pair of gloves.

[marsden]

I sometimes do it out of pure lazy-ness! That i can't be bothered taking my hat off after riding! ;)
But if i'm leading a young/flighty or a horse thats not been out for a while i always wear and a hat! And gloves no matter what kinda horse it is!

[rohan]

doesent anyone read the horsey mags any more, sa a result of an insident a while ago the powers that be would like to make it compulsary to wear hats when dealing with horses. I know i should after I was kicked ( no not in the head in the back still sore even after a year to old for this) in our yard horses roam all over never any truble it even calms horses that had been very difficult to handle its strange.:rolleyes:

[carthorse]

Only very occassionally - if I'm leading something that's very hyped up or has a reputation for being bad. I suspect with Jim a hat would make very little difference, the only way he'd get me would be in a total blind panic & under those circumstances I think a hat would be no useful protection as he'd snap my neck!

[CMR]

No.

As I keep my horses at home, it would be a huge hassle to put on a helmet whenever I'm around them.
My horses are also out 24/7, so I don't have to deal with silly horses who are excited to get out of their stalls. Just very placid walking about, no bucking, rearing, etc. :p

[CrisO]

I don't always but I probably should. Thinking about last night, I went to catch my share together with another couple of people who work at the yard and were catching all the boys to bring them in for the night. So half a dozen big geldings came charging up and while they are all good natured horses they can get overexcited and jealous. None of us were wearing hats. Mine was safely locked up in the tack room. However I did when he was on box rest apart from 10 minutes walking a day. In that case I put a bridle on and hat and gloves in case it all got too much for him.

[Trewsers]

Nobody on our yard wears one to lead in and out from field, but after the recent spinning and rearing performances from Storm I feel I ought to start! The wind up her tail makes her jumpy and the nights are getting darker and coupled with some building work thats being done, I have had a couple of near misses. I guess I should make the effort and put it on!

[Tanyajayne]

No I don't but on the other hand I won't let my kids into any horses field to poo pick with out a hat on.

[eml]

Make the staff and any helping customers do it but confess to nipping into field unhatted when there is no one around to observe..not sure why as hat was a godsend when a particularly stroppy mare knocked me over!

[Peace]

I've started doing so since bringing the horses home. Most of the time I'm working with them all alone and I figure there's no reason to take unnecessary chances. The boys have been a little more given to sudden movements than usual, being in a new place.

I don't worry about them kicking me in the head or rearing, but I've known several people to get bashed in the head by their horse whipping its head around suddenly and catching them in the face or on the temple. I think my helmet might give me a little protection from that.

I hate gloves of any kind. I once did a mid-January dive in a 40F lake without gloves, that's how uncomfortable I find them. Of course, when I emerged a half-hour later my fingers wouldn't work well enough so that I could unzip my wetsuit, and I was stuck in the cold clammy thing till my hands warmed up.:o

But I know I ought to wear them, too.

[Stella2]

I don't but I have done and would again if I felt the situation merited it. I know my mare well and I don't feel its necassary. Of course all horses spook, but I know the nature of her spooks. Of course its not risk free with her, but there you go .. what is? If I was leading a horse of uncertain temperament I would and if I was going into a field with a difficult one, I would.

[kirstie]

I wear one most of the time however always at college including wearing gloves as well when leading to and from horse walker/field/up yard to indoor and out doors, sometimes wear it on the yard :)

[mu0ljk]

No I don't. Unless it's just because I have left it on after riding. :o

I wear gloves when putting Otto out as he can pull away. But no I don't wear a hat.

[Kady A]

I think a hat and glove rule may become compulsary at a lot of livery yards/riding schools etc due to recent major court cases - one was reported recently in H&H where a young girl has been left needing permanent care following an accident turning out/in, which also resulted in about a £2million settlement against the yard.

[HorseManiac]

I dont.
With the new yard I MITE for a couple of days because theres lots of spooky stuff that may be hiding in bushes...:rolleyes:
:p

[Whatanejit]

I do if I am leading a strange horse out - for e.g. sometimes I might get a text from a fellow diy to turn their horse out for them.

I don't with Coops - his gate is so near his stable and he is the first one out in the morning.

Re bringing in I don't but I think I will if it involves walking down the field. Especially after the other week when a fellow livery called her horse up as I was half way down the field - she caused a stampede and I had to run to the field border to get out of their way - selfish cow!

[mogadoga]

I never do. But when the farmer starts keeping them in i really should. He goes mad to get out. But i dont have time to get it. Ok not an excuse but a fact.

[Samantha1980]

I dont but I really should. A few days ago I was bending down picking up feed buckets when I saw 2 hooves coming towards my head. My filly had kicked out with both her back legs. Luckily I got out the way and all I have is a bruised and very sore leg. It could of been much worse. I will make more of an effort to wear one now.

[booboo]

i dont never havedone but realy should two years ago i got kicked on the foreead by horse and have the scar to prove it!!! i wasnt allowed to go get the horses for a wile after this! but now i do without even thinking about it!really should wear one though was very lucky that day!
xxx