Best Horse Riding Helmets

The most important choice you have to make when horse riding is the helmet you or your child will wear. 

Safety factors are becoming increasingly stringent as the conditions where you might be riding change. Farm tracks may have been concreted over, rural lanes can be slippery and rutted. It definitely pays to have proper head protection.

And safety standards are reviewed at regular intervals – so you need to be aware of the latest alterations and how they might affect whether you can take part in equestrian events.

Manufacturers have responded by offering a huge choice of headgear – but it doesn’t make choosing the right one any easier. The following article will help you find the best horse riding helmet for your needs. Here are some of the best horse riding helmets available:

1. Champion Kids Pro Plus Jockey Skull
2. Gatehouse HS1 Jockey Skull
3. Ovation Women’s Protege Riding Helmet
4. Troxel FTX Performance Helmet
5. Ovation Girls’ Schooler Deluxe Riding Helmet – 467566Pur 

How to choose the right horse riding helmet

You will have to decide what is most important. Then you need to take into account the kind of riding you or your child will be taking part in, as the best riding helmets for dressage may differ from the best riding helmets for show jumping.

There are two major categories of horse riding helmet – the popular riding helmets with a peak and the skull caps which do not have a peak. If you are going in for certain horse riding events you will need a skull cap as they have a higher safety margin – and you can always cover them with bright silks. 

Many materials are used for the horse riding helmets – they include suede-look and leather-look, plastic, vinyl, and velvet.

We have not included a mushroom head helmet – where the extra padding gives the rider an appearance of having a huge head! Nobody wants that, do they?!

How does the horse riding helmet work?

There is an outer hard shell to protect against sharp objects penetrating the hat and to disperse impact energy over a larger area. 

Next is a polystyrene liner to absorb energy from any impact.

A foam lining is comfortable to wear and the final internal fabric lining is cosmetic. 

When your helmet hits an object or the ground the shell helps to disperse the energy but the main saving device is the polystyrene lining which cushions your head to some extent and absorbs the shock. In doing so it is itself damaged and your horse riding helmet will need replacing after a significant impact.

What should you look for in a safe riding helmet?

• Safety first and the riding standards will help you decide on the best one. So check the labels and ask questions of the manufacturer if you need to.
• Making sure it fits snugly and is suited to the kind of riding you will be doing.
• Don’t buy a second hand one – you don’t know its history and invisible damage may compromise its safety.
• Is it adjustable?  When choosing a kid’s horse riding helmet this might be an important consideration. Children grow but the helmet must fit. Linings compress.
• Is it ventilated – hot weather riding can be uncomfortable and many horse riding helmets are vented – without losing safety features. The vents are designed to look good and be part of the overall design.
• Is there an adjustable dial – this allows you to wear a headband or ponytail with ease.
• Is the lining detachable so you can wash it? 
• Style and material – this is a very personal matter and there are lots of choices.

Riding hat safety standards

All horse riding helmets have to undergo safety tests and meet at least one of the international riding standards. These are PAS015:2011, the VGI 01.040 2014 – 12, the ASTM F1163:2015, and the  American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM certified)standard: SEI ASTM F1163 04a. The hat will be labeled with the respective test passed. The toughest test of all is the SNELL E2016, devised in America. This differs from the other standards in that it will protect you from a drop onto a metal ball. The types of protection include dropping onto a steel edge, onto a flat surface from a certain height, crush resistance, and any restriction in the field of vision.

Safety standards are revised every five years. In 2016 there were changes in that the old BS EN 1384 which had been in place for 20 years has been superseded. However, if your hat reached this standard it is still fine to use for hacking and similar riding activities.

However the new product approved standard – PAS 015 or equivalent – is now required for competing. And it must be Kitemarked. Your riding helmet will be checked and permission to race refused if it does not come up to the standards – so don’t remove any labels which might prove your helmet meets the required standards!

The new standards give better protection from the bottom upwards instead of the older one which protected only from 75mm up from the rim. The standards do keep changing including one developed by Snell E2001 in America with better crush resistance, and better protection from the horse kicking or contact with a sharp surface.

Are horse riding helmets effective in preventing injury?

Riding helmets are very effective in mitigating injury – provided they are suitable for the kind of riding you are undertaking – and provided they fit properly. A wonky, trembling helmet is of little use.

The fit

You need to take the time to get this right since it could save you or your child from serious head injury.

The hat should fit snugly, but not tightly. The fit should be even all over and pressure points on your head will be uncomfortable – and a sign to you that the fit is wrong. And if it wobbles when you ride then it is too loose and will be ineffective. You can test this by shaking your head.

When you take your helmet off you might feel a slight suction – proof of a good fit. Note that over time the lining may compress a bit, making your helmet too loose.

How do you put on a horse riding helmet correctly?

You need to roll the helmet on from the front to the back. The front edge should be about half an inch above your eyebrows. Make sure your helmet sits level with the brim about a fingers width above the eyebrows so that the helmet covers your forehead. 

As you put your helmet on you might hear the air being displaced. Check that it feels snug but not tight, that it is steady and does not rock around when you shake your head.

Check the straps: you should be able to insert one finger inside the chin strap – but not two fingers.

 And remember that your helmet has been fitted for you and not your best friend!

This short video shows how to put your helmet on correctly:

Do different riding disciplines require different helmets?  

The style of riding that you choose should complement the place where you will be riding. 

Most riders wear a standard riding hat for dressage, hacking or show jumping – and there are plenty to choose from. Where more protection might be needed then a skull hat or helmet might be safer since a skull hat, while not looking so stylish will cover more of the back of your head and the sides. They also do not have a solid brim which can cause injury if you fall.

Looking after your horse riding helmet – a few tips

• Cleaning the outside according to the finish but don’t use solvents which would damage your helmet.
• Don’t wash the hat as the glue may be weakened. There are special cleaning products suitable.
• Store your helmet out of the direct sun in a cool, dry place.
• Don’t let it roll around;  keep it secure during transport.
• When you put it down place it with the top underneath to protect the brim.
• If it gets wet let it dry naturally.

Reviews

1. Champion Kids Pro Plus Jockey Skull 

Safe, stylish and practical skull hat for kids

Safety and style make this one of the best kid’s horse riding helmets – although not suitable for the child under three years old, and they should only be used under the direct supervision of a responsible adult.

It conforms to the high safety standards with the PAS015.2011 BSI Kitemark, and the manufacturers are well trusted by star riders worldwide, who appreciate the high level of safety features. The riding hats have been tested for penetration, shock absorption, harness strength and stability. It has a very professional look about it, so your child may feel quite important wearing this skull design.

2. Gatehouse HS1 Jockey Skull

The riding helmet with the highest safety standards

This skull horse riding hat has passed the SNELL E2001, PAS015 and BSEN1384. The SNELL E2001, developed in America, is the highest safety standard in the world. During the testing, its resistance to a horse’s kick or a fall onto a fence rail are severely tested. It’s also considered that the skull shape is safer as a brim can aggravate a fall.

This riding helmet has a four-point harness in top quality leather and a Gatehouse airflow lining for comfort. And to help you keep it looking smart tit comes with a free padded storage bag.

This is a top-quality product – looks good, feels secure and comfortable. It comes in black and blue so easy to combine with almost any colours.

The manufacturers guarantee is only for one year – you might want to check this as if anything did go wrong after the twelve months you would lose out.

3. Ovation Women’s Protege Riding Helmet

A light comfortable helmet made for the ladies

This is one of the lightest and most comfortable of helmets. It is made from high-density ABS. This protects without adding weight.

It is approved by the ASTM or SEI ASTM standards. The shell has an extended back for extra protection.the adjustable dial makes for a perfect fit (and will accommodate your ponytail if you wish.) The harness has a quick snap buckle – and is also adjustable. This is important as a well-fitted helmet is safer than a poorly fitted one.

This helmet looks good. It has a low profile, a sleek design, and a well-designed visor. You can remove the liner to wash it. Ovation do make helmets for men and unisex ones as well, but they tend to specialize in helmets for the ladies.

4. Troxel FTX Performance Helmet

A high performance helmet with advanced style

This stylish helmet is made in the USA and has some excellent reviews. With its low profile, mesh covered vents and Flex visor plus the cover design this helmet stands out for appearance.  It has a matte Duratec finish. The visor is shaped to increase your peripheral vision.

The dial-fit system and FlipFold removable washable headliner means you can not only keep it lovely and fresh feeling but also accommodate a ponytail if you have one. The air-channel technology will help to keep you cool. 

It is ASTM/SEI certified and the full coverage fit adds stability. Lightweight and streamlined in appearance – makes this helmet comfortable to wear.

5. Ovation Girls’ Schooler Deluxe Riding Helmet – 467566Pur

A lightweight, low-profile helmet for the girls

This helmet is great for the girls – light weight, dial-fit for the ponytail, vented to keep her cool and attractive to look at. The adjustment teeth are extra strong – so the helmet will last longer as the girl grows. It has also been carefully designed to keep off the face when riding. 

It’s also easy to are for, having a removeable and washable liner. The rubberized finish makes cleaning easy. It meets the ASTM safety standard.

Conclusion

Choosing the best horse riding helmet is the most important safety step you can take to protect yourself or your children. There is a vast choice out there, but we would always put safety first. Fortunately, the helmets are labelled – and you need to keep the label on if you intend to take part in equestrian events. It’s a good idea to check with the event organiser if you are not sure what is required.

For the highest safety standards, we recommend the , as this conforms to the Snell E2011, although for most purposes you should not need this.

And for children, we liked the Champion Kids Pro Plus Jockey Skull.

The skull design without the brim is possibly the safest but the brims are attractive and popular. Many of the designs are directed to girls and women, emphasizing lightweight and good looks. The Ovation Girls’ Schooler Deluxe Riding Helmet – 467566Pur and the Ovation Women’s Protege Riding Helmet are just two of the many examples.

If you really want to stand out you might choose the Troxel FTX Performance Helmet, with its unique designer finish.

But there is an enormous choice, and we can only suggest some examples. You will need to decide what sort of riding you will be doing – and check the labels. It really is worth the time to find the perfect riding hat for yourself.

Q&A

Do horse riding helmets expire?

Helmet standards change, and materials deteriorate, so the recommendation is to renew your horse riding helmet every five years – or more often if you ride a lot.

Is it OK to go on a short ride without a helmet? 

No. Accidents can happen at any time on a ride, even just while mounting.

Can you use a bike helmet for horse riding?

No. Bike helmets are designed to withstand a different kind of impact injury and are not suitable for horse riding.

Is it safe to buy a second-hand helmet?

This may not be a good idea as you do not know the helmet’s history. Damage or deterioration may be invisible.

Must I wear a riding hat by law?

Not if you are an adult. But the highway code states that children under the age of 14 must wear a riding hat which complies with safety regulations in Britain. In America different states have different laws – there is a useful summary here.

References

Equus Horse Riding Hat Buying Guide