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Riding Hats and Helmets
Hard hats are worn for riding, lunging, and leading horses, and in some other situations where a hard hat is required, for example when clipping a horse, or holding for the farrier, veterinary surgeon, or equine dentist.
Types Of Hat
- Jumping
Often come with ventilation in the shell and a secure harness.
- Dressage
Often come with a slightly lower peak to the rim of the hat giving a very classical look. Used for dressage and showing.
- Cross Country
Often come without a peak and offer more overall head protection, so that in the event of a fall the hat stays firmly in place and does not move. Often come with ventilation slots.
- Top Hat
Worn in top class dressage competitions and in international eventing for the dressage phase, these have no chin strap so care must be taken when fitting to prevent them from coming off in the middle of a test.
- Skull Cap
These have no peak, and contain a chin strap. Many have ventilation slots, and they are worn with a silk. Often used for racing and pleasure riding.
- Polo Helmet
These have a fixed peak, air holes in the shell, and a face shield (to protect against the polo ball), which can be detached as required.
Fitting
They are fitted by measuring the circumference of your head and are designed to fit across the rim across your forehead.They should be snug enough so that when your head is tilted forward the hat should still stay in place and a fingers width should be able to be fitted into the back of the hat. When purchasing a hat go to one which has a British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) qualified member of staff as they will have done a specialist course in hat fitting an will be able to ensure a perfect fit.
Materials
Hard shells are made of a variety of light and strong materials, and depending on the brand you buy, this could be fibreglass, carbon fibre, or a lightweight injection moulded plastic shell. |
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Design
- Tough outer shell
- Adjustable harness which secures the hat in place and fastens up by going under your chin (chin straps are made of soft leather or webbing material.)
- Chin guard on some hats, which is attached to the chin strap and goes over the chin this prevents the hat from being pulled back in the event of a fall.
- Cushioned rim that goes around your head on the inside of the hat.
- Ventilation slots in some hats.
- Safety approval stamp. On the inside of the hat it will state the size and safety certification.
Sizes
On the inside of the hat will be stated the size, which is a measurement in centimeters and inches, and can range from 49 to 65 cm or 6 to 8 inches allowing for a wide range in both child and adult sizes.
Safety
- UK
The BSI kitemark stands for British Standards Institute and is issued to hats which have passed the correct safety standard. There should be a safety stamp marked on the inside to show that it has passed the current safety standard. It should say on the hat BSEN:1384:1997 or PAS015 1988. ASTMF 1163 95.
- USA
If a hat has SEI it has been approved to America standards.
- European Union
If a hat has a CE mark it has been approved to be used in european countries.
UK Highway Legal Requirement
It is now against the law for a child under 14 years of age to be on public highways without a hat. The standard accepted is BS4472 but the more up to date PAS015 is the best current choice.
Accessories
Skull caps can be worn with silks which are coverings made of lycra or velvet and attach to the hat to give a more traditional look to the hat. They come in a wide range of colors and so ideal for both the pleasure, eventing, racing and pony club.
Storage
Keep hats in a safe place, a padded hat bag is ideal for both every day and at competitions. |
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