Riding is one of the most exhilarating and exciting activities you can take part in. It represents such a feeling of freedom; just you and the horse and the nature all around you. Indeed, this all feels so natural and “at one with the world,” that you could be forgiven for overlooking some fundamental safety considerations. As much fun as this is, it is also an inherently dangerous activity. What should happen if the horse should stumble and you are thrown to the ground? Never overlook the need to be safe and to choose from a good list of approved horse riding hats before you even get ready to mount the horse and head off into the sunset.

Whether you are a beginner, an established rider or someone who participates in competition, you must know the risks involved. The riding hat is probably your first line of defence in case of incident and you should not spare any expense or any effort in finding one which is suitable. Remember that you should wear your riding hat when you’re not even actually riding, as whenever you are around your horse, there is the risk of a kick.

Today, there are a variety of good riding hats and you should always look for the appropriate certification to help you choose. UK authorities insist on a British Standards Institute kite mark and you should also look for the BSEN 1384 safety attachments. The manufacturer should stand behind their product, so expect to find a multi-year guarantee, which means that you will be able to use the product for several years with confidence.

Size is everything when you are selecting a riding hat. Put it on and check for comfortable fit, especially when you try and move your head from side to side rather quickly. To fit correctly, it needs to cover the forehead as well as the back of the head and be ventilated so that it is comfortable when you get warm.

Riding hats are not designed to last forever and you should budget to replace them after three years at the most. Replace it immediately if it sustains a significant blow of any kind, as you won’t be able to see whether there is any internal damage, necessarily. Any unseen damage could render it useless in the event of a subsequent accident.

Do not be tempted to cut corners and buy a used helmet, or to use somebody else’s as you never know what history is attached to that particular item. Horse riding hats have been specifically designed for the purpose and you should not try out any other solution, such as an ice hockey helmet, or a bicycle helmet. Remember that it is your safety, if not your life at stake here, so choose wisely. Finally, don’t look at good riding hats as a nuisance or something that you just have to get on with, as they should never detract from your enjoyment or your competitive ability if you choose to pursue this.