If you think that it is not cool to wear a hat or that it
causes you headaches, there are now a variety of hats in various
sizes, shapes and colours that can be comfortable, attractive
and smart. And never think that you are experienced enough
to ride without a hat. There are records of accidents happening
to riders who have experience of 25-30 years who were not
wearing hats while riding.
Hats are normally made of hard shells, which contain both
light and strong materials like fibreglass, carbon fibre,
etc. This depends on the brand you buy. The size of the hat
is normally given on the inside. There are a wide range of
sizes available from child to adult, and they will be measured
in both centimetres and inches. Normal sizes range from 49
to 65 cm or from 6 to 8 inches.
When you buy a horse riding hat:
1. Make sure that the hat fits your head properly. It should
provide good ventilation too. It shouldn't be too loose or
too tight. When you wear it, the hat should come down to your
eyebrows, covering your whole forehead. At the same time,
it should not expose the back portion of your head. When you
tilt or move your head, it should not shake forwards to backwards
or from side to side.
2. If you have long hair, get a horse riding hat that has
a ponytail port. This will help you to avoid stuffing all
your hair inside the hat and making it too tight.
3. Look for any kind of seal of approval on the hat. Get
a hat that guarantees safety. Trying to save money by getting
a cheap hat can cost your life. Similarly, do not go for used
hats. It might have met with a severe blow earlier and not
be as safe as it looks. Moreover, even if the horse riding
hat has not had any accidents, the average lifespan of a hat
is four years, after which it needs to be replaced anyway.
So go for a new one from the start.
4. Do not opt for a hat that is meant for another sport.
Each sport has its own safety codes and the equipment is designed
accordingly. Hence it is always better to get a horse riding
hat for horse riding.
5. There are hats meant for basic schooling in horse riding
to the advanced derby and cowboy style hats. Go for the one
which suits your skills and experience. Also, for each riding
discipline, there are specific horse riding hats designed.
So when you buy your hat, get the one that suits the riding
discipline that you intend to focus on.
6. Make sure that the manufacturers have a replacement policy
for their hats, so that you can replace your horse riding
hat once it is damaged, dropped or been subject to a severe
blow.
Types of hats:
There are various kinds of hats now available.
1. Jumping hats, which have ventilation in the shell and
a secure harness
2. Dressage hats, which have a lower peak towards the rim.
This is used for dressage and showing.
3. Cross-country hats, which come with ventilation slots
and without a peak. This hat gives more head protection.
4. Top hats, which have no chin strap and are worn in dressage
competitions and eventing.
5. Skull caps, which have no peak but do have a chin strap.
This is often used for racing and pleasure riding.
6. Polo hats, which have a fixed peak, detachable face shield
and air holes in the shell.
Storing a horse riding hat:
1. Avoid dropping or kicking it. Hats should be taken proper
care of.
2. If it's summer, don't store it in a hot trunk. Overheating
of the hat can affect your head when you wear it later.
3. If it has gone through an accident once, do not use your
horse
riding hat again. It might look alright from the outside,
but may actually not be able to withstand another one.
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