Paniolo-Country Equine Blog

Okay, so we have heard every excuse in the book for not wearing a helmet right?  Hey, I have tried them all myself.  But I always begin my explainations with, “I know it is better to wear one but. . .”

But what?  “But I hate them”  “But they look stupid unless you are riding english”  “But my horse is pretty solid”  “But I am an experienced rider”  You know the reasons we all give.

But can any of you tell me why it would be stupid to wear one?  Why it would not be in your head and skull’s best interest to wear one?

Studies show that over 50% of horse related injuries occur to the head.  The most common cause of an injury is falling from your horse (60%) due to a “spook” (35%) or from a horse that is “not trained enough” (27%) for the activity being asked of it.  ALL horses can spook.  Some more than others, but no amount of despooking has ever produced an 100% unspookable horse. 

The people injured in this study must have been new riders right?  Nope.  They were mostly Western riders with an average of 27 years of riding experience.  Only 6% had less than 1 year of riding.  Most of these experienced riders had suffered at least minor accidents before.  Haven’t we all?

Well their horses must not be well trained or they are riding in sketchy areas then?  Nope.  These are well trained horses over the age of 7 yrs and according to this study the location didn’t really matter.  Arenas with good footing, trail riding, or wide open spaces were pretty even.

We all know of someone or a friend of someone who suffered a serious injury from a horse related accident.  We all know that helmets protect your noggin in other sports and activities right?  So what is the hangup?

I think it is similar to when the new seatbelt laws were placed in Hawaii.  I remember how upset I was that I HAD TO wear them now.  We heard every excuse from it being uncomfortable to it imparing your movement.  The public complained, but most people agreed that they were safer to have on than off.

Canada has recently placed strict helmet laws for equestrians under the age of 18 years.  This came after much campaigning and grusome testimony of injuries sustained from horse accidents.  Now that it has become a law, minors are forced to wear riding helmets.  In my opinion this is where the US is headed.

Helmets are required for most extreme sports.  Equestrian sports are on the targeted list.  So helmets anyone?

I bitched and moaned about not wanting to wear a helmet my entire adolescent years.  And now well into my 30’s, I have only just begun to wear a helmet with each ride.  Why?  Mostly because I am a mother now.  I would not let my son ride without a helmet simply because I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if he were ever to suffer a head injury I could have prevented with a riding helmet.  But I wear one because I want to be around for my son. 

I have heard of too many accidents happening to people I know to be decent riders on horses I know to be decent mounts.  It happens.  Freak accidents happen.  If the difference between learning to walk again from brain damage or simply recovering from a broken bone is the use of a dorky looking helmet, than I will wear the helmet.

Now thanks to Troxel Helmets, some truly Western looking helmets are coming out.  If you haven’t already seen it, the new Western Hat Helmet is out.  And this could revolutionize the stigma of helmet wearing only looking right paired with and English saddle and breeches.

  With helmets like these, I hope to see more riders using them.  If nothing more, use them when you are riding alone or riding high speed. 

I still feel a little funny when I first mount up.  But a few minutes in I forget about the helmet and enjoy my horse.  I feel safer knowing that should I come off my horse on a ride, I have a better chance of saving my brain.  I sort of need it you know? 

Happy Trails everyone!  And Safe Riding!

Ronda

To the Moms and Horsey Moms,

Happy Mother’s Day!

So we have Western riders, English riders, Rodeo riders, and Dressage riders.  These folks all have competitions to challenge their skills and showcase their horses.  What does Hawaii have for the competitive trail rider?  We barely have open trails to ride on.  That is why I was so impressed with the Extreme Cowboy Races I saw on HorseCity.com!  This race didn’t require much more than an open field with some trails nearby.  I know of quite a few ranches/boarding facilities that have this much space.  Wouldn’t it be cool to test your skills and challenge your horse in a race like this?

Haven’t seen the Extreme Cowboy Races?  Check out http://www.horsecity.com/extreme/ . 

I visited the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens in Kaneohe today.  They have a designated camp area that is also an equestrian area.  There were a couple hitching rails there.  A friend told me years ago it was set up with a little corraled area and formal facility for bringing your horses.  I am hoping to find out more about the trails there and if they are open to equestrians.  Anyone know about this?

I was a totally horse crazy kid!  My earliest passion was horses.  I was a horse beggar like so many others, clinging to ANYONE who had a horse so I could just be around them.  I got my first “4-H project” pony at about 8 yrs old.  He belonged to my Uncle, Claude Ortiz.  His name was “UKU” because he was known to jump.

When I was 9, I got my first pony.  He was an old retired palamino Shetland pony named “Goldie”.  I didn’t realize it then, but he must have been older than dirt because his teeth were so long it looked like he was always smiling.  He was also very grey around the eyes and had the longest hair around. 

When we first got him (he was dirt cheap by the way), he bucked me off over and over again.  As much as I wanted a pony, I was beginning to change my mind!  He was a nasty pony and I was sore.  My mother said, “honey, you are going to have to make this work.  we cannot afford another pony.”  Finally my Mom got on him.  He tried to buck, but with a full sized woman on his back his efforts were futile to say the least! 

We eventually got him over his bucking and he and I were inseperable.  I was fortunate enough to have him at my home in Pupukea.  Our little 2 acre property was just big enough.  Pupukea was a great place back then.  There were very few homes and plenty of empty lots for riding in.  Guava trees were everywhere and a handful of other people had horses too.

I learned alot about horses and riding my first year.  I was stepped on, kicked, bucked off, brushed off (a specialty of ponies), and bitten.  When I think of all the tortuous things I put that pony through I probably deserved most of that.  I rode him non-stop for hours on end.  I would practically sleep on his back while he grazed.  And it was not uncommon for me to go to school with pants covered in horse hair because I took one last ride before the bus came.

Today, I run a 4-H horse club at Gunstock Ranch not far from my parent’s home.  I see kids do the same daring and foolish things I did.  Running their horses like crazed maniacs.  Riding three at a time when they think no one is watching.  But most of all, loving every minute of thier time.  The trusty (and sometimes not so trusty) horses seem to just put up with stuff they would never tolerate from adults.  Do you think they just know they are kids?  Do they cut kids more slack?  I am not sure but I have seen my mare, as well as others, tread more lightly when kids are under foot or in the saddle.

Have you hugged your horse today?  Amen for Horses!  I wouldn’t be the same person without them.

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