As equestrians we strive to ensure we’re using the correct tools for our trade. We select discipline-specific saddles that correctly fit our horses and work in harmony with our own physiology. We source feeds that meet the nutritional requirements of our horses, both in terms of energy expenditure and health concerns. We obsess over fencing that will provide the safest option for our equine partners.

However, as riders, it’s likely we know very little about the helmet we are using. Most of us simply pick one we like and check that it’s acceptable for use in our chosen competitive field. Job done.

“We find most riders and officials actually know very little about this important piece of equipment and have a false sense of safety,” says Rhys Powell, founder of New Zealand-based company ARRO Helmets.

As someone who has always ridden, Rhys admits that once upon a time, he also gave little thought to helmet choice. However, that all changed in 2018 after fracturing his C3 vertebrae in a serious fall.

“I was in hospital for four days. You have plenty of time to think when you’re in a brace and can’t move. And I thought, this really shouldn’t have happened to me if I’d been wearing a different helmet...”

Read the full article FREE in the April 2024 issue of Equestrian Life magazine here.