Protect Your Head - Tips on Choosing the Right Riding Helmet for You

Published by Connor Bainton,

As much as you love your horse, you know that your four-legged friend can be unpredictable and riding is never going to be risk-free. And it's no secret that head injuries present the most serious danger. With that said, wearing a riding helmet should always be a priority.

Thanks to the use of modern materials and designs, riding helmets are today are well ventilated, lightweight, look good, and offer the very best protection to your head in the event of an accident. With the huge range of riding helmets available, it's important to choose one that's going to meet your needs. If you compete in certain disciplines, you'll have to check each discipline's rule book so you can purchase the correct helmet. It will depend on your personal choice whether you prefer a traditional-looking riding helmet, skull cap or perhaps one with a touch of bling.

Selecting the Right Type Helmet

Riding helmets are divided into three main categories:

  • Traditional velvet-covered hats - a stylish and functional option often used in the competition of dressage and showjumping. They also look great when taking part in a hunt.
  • Skull caps - for a cross country competition, skull caps are mandatory. Some hunts also require riders to wear skull caps, so it's best to check with the hunt secretary before going out. The extra protection built into the design and materials used in skull caps ensures improved safety. With the wide range of colourful shells as well as high visibility, hat covers available, finding a skull cap that meets your personality or being more visible when haking on the road isn't a problem.
  • Standard riding hat or helmet - the most common riding hat worn by many horse riders. It is more stylish while still being functional. It is suitable for dressage,
showjumping, hacking out, and schooling, as well as new riders. The abundance of options and styles allow riders to express their personal style with ease.

Getting the Right Fit


Proper fit and comfort are essential qualities of a helmet. Only a properly fitting helmet will provide you with the maximum level of protection in the event of a fall. Ideally, your helmet should:

  • Sit on your head just above your eyebrows and ears;
  • Fit snuggly all the way around your head but with no pressure on your temples.
  • If, when the harness is fastened it can be easily dislodged, it is too big for you.

Normally, a helmet consists of two parts - a chin strap, which sits under your jaw, and a strap that fit around the back of your neck. Some models may have a dial adjustment to help you get the best possible fit. It's that strap that helps to prevent your hat from tipping forwards onto your nose and why it's important to check that it's fastened correctly. When shopping for riding helmets online, you will need to measure the circumference around your head above our eyebrows to get the right fit. Use a fabric tape to take the measure, taking care to keep it straight and steady, then check your measurements against an online size chart.

Know the Safety Standards



Whatever helmet you are looking to buy, it should conform to a current safety standard. Helmets are certified have passed rigorous testing including side distortion, impact, and penetration tests to ensure that they will appropriately protect your head in the event of fall. New advances are constantly being made in equestrian safety. One of the newest pieces of technology is the introduction of the multi-directional impact system (MIPS). Snowboarders, skiers, and mountain bikers have relied on this technology for decades, and it had recently been added to equestrian helmets. MIPS technology simulates the way the scalp slides in response to force in an effort to protect the skull and the brain. In these helmets, an inner shell shift helps to minimize impact in the event of fall.

After you have purchased the right riding helmet, it's important to understand that your helmet simply won't last forever. Due to degradation of the foam, padding, and other components, helmet manufactures recommended that you replace your helmet every five years. One exception to the five years rule is in the case of an accident. Helmets are able to protect your head for one impact, so they must be replaced after each fall. This includes any fall from a shelf or a drop onto a hard surface, so hold onto your helmet tight and make sure that it is stored securely and out of extreme temperatures, which may also damage the helmet.

Riding Hats Maintenance Tips


  • To ensure that your hat will last a long time and won't suffer from the regular wear and tear so easily you will have to:
  • Clean your hat regularly - clean with a little warm water, a soft brush, and some soft soap.
  • Never dry your wet hat in front of a fire or on top of a radiator -this could lead to damage. You should simply allow your hat to dry naturally.
  • Always store your hat in a cool dry place that is out of direct sunlight.
  • When transporting your hat from place to place, ensure that it has some protection.
  • Never dry clean your hat and avoid exposing it to any petroleum products, cleaning agents, paints or adhesives.