Thursday, June 7, 2012

Why Dappled Grey Always Wears a Helmet

Why Dappled Grey Always Wears a Helmet Fitch Molly Helmet Awareness0

Fitch and Molly after a Ride

If you’re a frequent reader, you know that Dappled Grey is an equestrian lifestyle blog. We leave the show results and horsemanship how-to’s to other publications that specialize in those kind of stories and focus on style & culture for the equestrian. But that doesn’t mean that riding and horsemanship isn’t an enormous part of our day to day life. And day in and day out, that includes wearing a helmet. Here’s why:

Writing this blog gets balanced with riding and caring for my coming 7 year old Warmblood “Fitch” as well as maintaining a 5 acre farm. All of this gets done with the incredible support of my husband, Mr. Dappled Grey, and it’s because of him that I have not been on a horse without a helmet since 2009. When I backed Fitch that year, it became quickly clear that he was bigger, stronger, and more expressive that any other horse I had ridden. Starting and training him myself, with the help of an incredible trainer, has been a “life’s work” experience – extraordinarily humbling, gratifying, and life changing.

Like any horse & rider pair, we have great, good, and bad days and through it all, Mr. Dappled Grey is right by our side – rooting for us, encouraging us, photographing us (see above) and always backing up my belief in putting our horse first. What can I do in exchange for this kind of unconditional support? Wear a helmet. Plain and simple, this is the best way I know how to respect and show appreciation for his support. Don’t get me wrong: I hate helmet hair and I love the feeling of the wind in my ponytail, but I will never, ever sit on a horse without a helmet again.

Do you have a special reason for wearing your helmet?

Check out International Helmet Awareness Day specials here and these great posts about famous British and American riders’ helmets of choice.

Happy riding!

 

 

 

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  • annie

    so you’re only wearing a helmet for someone else? weak.

  • http://approximatenotions.com/ Felicia Hughes

    Molly, I only just saw this post and applaud your taking the time to make this point, and with such grace!  One year ago, April, I took a fall on a paved road….don’t ask me for details because I have no recollection of the immediate before or after.  I was told, however, by my instructor, that as I was bending over the side of my horse to adjust my right stirrup, a cadre of uniformed cyclists “silently” sped by us coming from the opposite direction.  The sight of them, and unfortunately, not the sound of them, which apparently, might have forewarned the horses, caused her horse and the horse she was leading, to spin about and bolt.   Likewise, my horse.  I hit the pavement and was out cold (we had only a short journey to the fields beyond, otherwise paved road riding was avoided if possible…).  I would probably be….well, let’s not even go there.  I never had ridden without a helmet, but you can be quite sure that nothing will ever persuade me to.  It is not an option and I only hope that all your readers take your counsel seriously.  Thank you and what a heartthrob that Fitch is!!!!

    • Molly Knott

       @Felicia Hughes Thanks Felicia! That sounds like a very frightening incident and I’m so glad everyone came out of it OK! I was knocked out after a tumble from a runaway as a youngster and that was with one of the old shell/hunt cap helmets. Still it took me a long time to really “get” it. 
       
      PS – Fitch says thank you!

  • http://www.poniesandpearlsblog.com/ Danielle

    Whenever anyone I know is in doubt of the imprortance of wearing one, I suggest they watch the video, “Every Ride, Every Time”. I saw it in 2006 for required training for the summer camp I was working at, and it’s extremely powerful.

    I’ve ridden most of my life, always with a helmet, and I’m very thankful for all of the instructors I have had throughout the years who always insisted upon it. Now, I’m happy to say that strapping on my helmet has become an automatic part of every ride I take.

    Thanks for posting such an important message :)

  • Dappled Grey

    Thank goodness, Beth Herman! I’m grateful to have your engaged wit on the blog! :)

  • Molly Knott

    Thank you for the comments! It’s always interesting to hear riders’ stories of how we have learned and developed our beliefs about riding. Love the hair style quote! ;) 

  • http://annedreshfield.com/ annedreshfield

    I agree with you — I used to ride without a helmet (the western world is awfully relaxed in that regard, for better or for worse), but since I’ve switched over to english I’ll always wear a helmet. I know too many people who would not be here if it wasn’t for their helmet! Horseback riding can be dangerous, and it’s best to be safe at all times. 

  • BlueMoonFarm

    In 1998 I was on a runaway 4-year-old who tried (and failed) to jump a creek.  When we went down, my head hit a large rock.  My helmet was in three pieces, but it did its job.  I know I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t worn it on that ride.  
     
    The discussion brings to mind a quote I’ve seen a number of times on the web: “If you think your hair style is more important than your brain, then you are probably right.  Wear a helmet!”  Funny, and makes the point!
     
    Love the blog…and that’s one gorgeous photo!

  • Beth Herman

    Without my helmet, which cracked like an egg, I would have been gone from this world in 2000. Grateful for all the adventures, rides, and love ever since. Wear it.

  • katiekathleen

    When I was thirteen I got my first horse to train. His name was Pablo, he was a completely unlikely mix of Percheron and Quarter Horse, and he was my first true love. You would think he would be too bulky to jump, but he was actually a powerhouse of cantering and jumping ability. He was also three years old. One fateful day, something about the way I mounted irked him and he threw me into a metal fence. I got a concussion and nearly fractured my femur, and the doctor said that had it not been for my helmet I would have, at the very least, had permanent brain damage, but most likely would have died. Since then I always wear a helmet when riding, because every time I consider going bareheaded, I think about what would have happened that day if I had decided to be lackadaisical.
     
    Also, Fitch is beautiful! You are a lucky woman, both for your horse and for your devoted, supportive husband!

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