One little tidbit from our volunteer handbook, to get everyone ready for Volunteer Orientation for August. If you want to ride one of our foster horses helmets ARE required. No excuses...and believe me, we've heard the excuses, which is why we wanted to share this fun article from Horse Junkies United.
Why You Don't Wear A Helmet...A Collection of Lame Excuses
by Susan Wachowich
Why You Don't Wear A Helmet...A Collection of Lame Excuses
by Susan Wachowich
There are a lot of great reasons why
equestrians shouldn’t wear a helmet. Bookmark this post because next
time the great debate arises on a horse forum, you will be well versed
with all of the best excuses on the web! No backing down this time.
Now I am sure this list will be
incomplete to all of you who spend a significant amount of time
defending this activity so please feel free to post everything I missed
at the bottom of this post.
1) I can’t find a helmet that fits my head.
Well, with a rough count, I get over 15 different helmet manufacturers
with several different models. I am sure that this decision is
justifiable by the fact that your head is clearly square.
2) I pay too much for my hair to ruin it in a helmet.
The great thing when you pay thousands of dollars for fake hair, is
that you can buy it again any time you want! I ran quick cost based
analysis of which is more expensive, hair or treatment of a traumatic
brain injury. I got distracted looking at how pretty I am in the mirror.
3) My horse is trained I don’t need it.
Charlotte Dujardin’s Olympic Gold medal horse, Valegro is also trained
and she wears a helmet. However, I am sure that your horse is much
better trained than hers, so carry on.
4) It’s the wrong color for my outfit. As the diva, I
am I am happy to say the customization of helmets has come a long way. I
have a love of crystals and didn’t stop there, with the death of a
stingray to adorn the top of my helmet it completes my ultimate diva
look on one of my helmet’s. I am waiting for my matching boots. Now, I
can appreciate the need to match, a true diva has several breeches,
several helmets and several boots. So in light of the fact that you are a
true diva, while using this excuse, the only thing that is missing from
the perfect outfit is a matching Hermes belt in the appropriate color.
5) It’s too hot. That’s
probably the same excuse that Lance Armstrong used on hot days when he
was training. Seems legit. Perhaps using steroids will help cool your
body in extreme temps. (Googled it – nope). Perhaps the addition of
water to your daily regime would help your body to use this amazing
cooling system called sweat. You can go high tech and even carry a camel
pack along for the ride. Now if you are adverse to sweating try having
your groom double with your on your horse to catch each and every drop
before it hits your brow. As for me helmet or not, I live in Florida, I
will sweat walking to the car. But I am sure if you live up north where
you get 3 hot days a year this is a novel concept and creates some level
of inconvenience.
6) (Insert hero/idol’s name here) doesn’t wear one.
If your idol is male, single and well-insured, please send me his
name and number so I can marry him. Hopefully before they get that
helmet sponsorship they have been waiting for. Lucky for me your idol is
easily influenced by money and endorsements, so if I play my cards
right I might strike it rich!
7) It makes my hair smell bad.
I am sure that not washing your helmet ever makes it smell like hockey
gear. Seems like good hygiene to wash your horse more often than your
helmet. Good call.
8) I paid x amount for my top hat, so I am wearing it!
My mom paid a lot of money for her paisley bell bottom onesy in the
70s. I still wear it on occasion just to make sure it gets some mileage.
Think about it.
9) I have a photo shoot after this and I have already done my hair.
It’s unfortunate that as the diva you are, you have accepted the invite
to such a low grade photo shoot they could not provide hair and make
up. Perhaps you could enlist the help of your groom to make you look top
notch after the wind and dust blow through your hair for an hour.
10) It gives me a headache.
My stilettos make my feet hurt yet I manage to endure countless hours
each weekend wearing them out just to look fabulous. Every once in a
while I come across a miracle stiletto that is pain-free and a perfect
fit. It’s simply amazing and a gift from designers everywhere. Good
thing this could never apply to helmets.
11) I am not planning on falling off.
I like this excuse. In fact I have used it snowboarding as well. “I am
not planning on falling on a green run but there are a whole lot of
people out there that are and if one happens to be in my way it’s gonna
suck.” I believe the same applies here. I never plan for garbage trucks,
loose horses, snow sliding down the roof, loose dogs or anything else
for that matter. I plan for a perfect quiet ride on my perfectly
obediently trained dressage horse. And that happens 100% of the time! I
am so blessed.
12) I can’t hear. I
like this one. I don’t really listen to my coach anyway. I pay her to
tell me I am fabulous. When she doesn’t, I just pretend like I can’t
hear and keep telling myself how pretty I look in my matching outfit as I
go past the mirror.
