What's a Member's Safety Worth?

Program Goals

1. Increase your awareness of potential hazards and related safety issues when working with youth and horses.
2. Challenge you to analyze your personal beliefs and convictions related to the use of equestrian helmets.

Remember, when you ride...

• Accidents are inevitable
  • Even when using proper safety precautions
• When you fall, it is very likely that you will hit your head
• You can’t always control what your head hits
• You can control what protects your head!

Which Would You Choose?

Do Helmets Realley Matter?

• U.S. Pony Club findings (1983-1990)

  • Since requiring ASTM helmets

    • Reduced head injuries 29%
    • Reduced facial injuries 62%
•  American Medical Equestrian Assn.

  • Use of ASTM  F1163/SEI Helmets (1990)

    • Reduced all riding-related head injuries 30%
    • Reduced severe head injuries 50%

What's With Those Letters?

• Current industry standard for helmets
• ASTM F 1163
  • American Soc. for Testing and Materials
  • Society’s “Standard Specification for Headgear Used in Horse Sports.”
• SEI
  • Safety Equipment Institute
  • Test helmets to insure they meet standards.

Aren't All Helmets Equal?

• Non-ASTM helmets or their box carry a warning label including a clause that these helmets are: “an item of apparel only and will provide no protection to the head from a fall or other source of impact."

But Helmets are Expensive!

• Compared to What?
  • Cost of the horse?
  • Cost of your other riding equipment?
  • Cost of the feed or health care?
•  ASTM helmets range from $25 - $110
• What’s your personal/physical safety worth?

It Couldn't Happen to Me!

• Every Time, Every Ride
  • Produced by
    • Washington State 4-H Foundation
    • 7612 Pioneer Way
    • Puyallup, WA 98371-4998

Selecting/Fitting a Helmet

• Select a helmet that fits comfortably
• Hold head still and gently rock the helmet
  • Should cause scalp to move with the helmet
• Adjust throat strap securely in position

Caring for Your Helmet

• Properly cared for helmets provide several years of useful life.
• Steps in cleaning
  • Exterior and inner fabrics cleaned with warm water & mild detergent; wipe shell w/soft lint-free cloth.
  • Harness assembly cleaned with damp cloth only.
• Avoid >1000F temperatures when drying

Inspecting Your Helmet

• Check for visible signs
  • Cracks in shell
  • Deterioration in harness assembly
• After a fall or any other significant impact
  • Return helmet to manufacturer for inspection
  • Non-visible damage can reduce effectiveness

Other Considerations

• At club practices, county & district events
  
  • Riding Clinics
  • County Shows
• At State 4-H horse shows
  • In 2005, helmets are required whenever mounted. A 4-H member may sign a helmet waiver, also requires a parents signature.

Let's Get Egg-Cited!!

• What are the similarities between this egg and your head?
  
  • Harder outer casing; fragile contents inside
• How safe is your head in a fall from:
  • A working trot (8 mph) with helmet?
  • A training gallop (20 mph) with helmet?
  • A working trot (8 mph) w/o helmet?
• Does a helmet make you invincible?

Some People Choose To:

But Remember,

• What’s your personal safety worth?
• It’s tough to go riding from a wheelchair, coma or the grave.
• Ultimately, it is your head and your decision

"What is Your Choice?"

Where Do We Go From Here?

• Seminar evaluation:

  • Title:  Horses, Helmets and Safety

  • Presenter:  Jim Wilson, Univ. of Idaho

Horses, Helmets, and Safety is compliments of Developer:

Jim Wilson

Area 4-H/Youth Extension Educator

1000 W. Hubbard, Suite 140

Coeur d’Alene, ID  83814

Ph. (208) 446-1680

E-mail: jwilson@uidaho.edu