What do you wear on your head when hunting?

[Romany]

I just read the post about wearing body armour while hunting, and it got me thinking about the assortment of headgear I see on the hunting field.

So - do you wear a crash helmet (like the type that jockeys and event riders wear)? Or an approved velvet-covered helmet? Or an approved plastic vented helmet (like the Tipperary ones)? Chin-strap removed? Or a topper, bowler, or some other traditional-looking piece of headgear that isn't certified to protect your head in the unlikely event that your head will contact the ground at speed some day, but looks good?

For the record, I'm one of the "every time, every ride" crash helmet wearers (Charles Owen J3), waiting for my velvet cover for it! I like the fit and the lack of restricted visibility that often comes with traditional helmet peaks (for me, anyway).

Just curious, not judgemental: I firmly believe that, as an adult, one should be able to choose whether or not one's brains are worth spending a little money protecting - I do, but many others don't.

[SteeleRdr]

For hunting, I have navy, brown, and black hunt caps (CO Ascot) and wear without the harness. When I wear my shadbelly, I have a tophat. Also have a derby/bowler (have yet to wear though).

When I school at home, I mostly ride in my crash helmet (Champion, which actually is not approved in the US). And for showing I have a velvet GPA Titium because the hunters don't really like the crash helmet with the black nylon cover!

[bird4416]

I wear a velvet GPA. I want to protect my noggin.

[Hunter's Rest]

Champion lover here, too. Euro deluxe jockey skull cap. With black silk cover, with rubber band to hold it on. Champion fits me oohhhhh so nicely. Love how it fits. Love how it looks. Was wearing one in 1989 when I did not die in a fiery steeplechasing crash, so I am a lifetime supporter (hit my head at 35 mph - was lucky to survive.) Champion rocks. No other helmet fits.
I have a Champion hunt cap (with harness) that I got at hte same time I ordered my last skull cap from England. It fits similar but still prefer the skull cap.

[J Swan]

I wear a Charles Owen helmet at home.

Hunting I wear a traditional styled safety helmet. I can't remember the brand name - but it looks like a velveteen hunt cap (as close as possible anyway).

[gkittredge]

I wear a non-ASTM approved hunt cap without a harness that probably would not survive a drop out of the dressing room from the trailer.

Ironically, I religiously wear my seatbelt.

[Painted Wings]

I wear a Charles Owens approved helmet for hunting. It's velvet covered and looks somewhat traditional. At home I school in a vented Tipperary.

[Beverley]

Mostly I wear the black velvet ASTM w/ harness- Troxel maybe, Grand Prix maybe. I do still have my old brown-with-age and tattered hunt cap floating around somewhere, but haven't worn it in a while. Also still have my bowler, a bit battered but still serviceable, but haven't worn it for hunting for several years. Though a colleague at work really wants me to 'dude up' in hunt attire w/bowler for his Dad's annual cattle drive, I just might accommodate him if he remembers to tell me when it's happening!

[Weatherford]

Funny thread - last time I wore a hunt cap or derby (switched after 18) out hunting was about 1977... Since then, I have always worn a safety helmet (with cover before the days of the nice velvet ones). Here, it is better to wear a cover helmet than and expensive CO or something, as the weather tends to be bad..... ;)

Now, if I could only figure out how not to run into things when on the ground.... ;)

[wateryglen]

From my observations; 99.5% of the foxhunters in our area wear black ASTM velvet safety helmets with harness. Personally I HATE those skunk helmet things....solid black ok. What I really hate is that I keep my hunting helmets just for that so they last forever and inevitably the technology improves and just what do we do with still servicable and decent looking helmets when we wanna new one! ?? My current one isn't vented and I wanna vented one to keep a cool head!! :cool:
So now the secret's out - Wateryglen is a hot head!!! :winkgrin:

But....There was just a bit of preachiness in your post perhaps!? We're all mostly grownups here and not sure we needed this. We all know the issues well....foxhunters especially know!!! I applaud your passion and caring. But our forum wears helmets out foxhunting - they are required gear!

[Mudroom]

A few years ago our hunt adopted a formal policy that while hunting, certified helmets are required for juniors and "strongly encouraged" for adults. It is rare that you will see a field member in our group without one.

Sure you'll see top hats or something in the Corinthian Class at our Hunter Trials.

You see a few GPA's but not too many. Some velvet covers over schooling helmets or skull caps, but those are usually guests from the eventing world or show world etc.

[flash1]

I have several different helmets...but all are ASTM certified. I value my head...never know when I could land on it!!!

[J Swan]

You know - I didn't start to hit my head in a fall until I started wearing a certified helmet.

Ergo - certified safety helmets make you fall off your horse.

[SidesaddleRider]

I either wear a brown CO Ascot or a black hunt cap (don't remember the make). For formal occasions I wear a top hat. I also have a bowler, but have not worn it yet.

I do have a GPA for astride showing, and CO Hampton for sidesaddle showing (since we're required to have approved helmets, sigh). I had to get 2 different ones, the GPA to fit when my hair is up, and the CO for when my hair is in a bun.

[CarrieK]

You know - I didn't start to hit my head in a fall until I started wearing a certified helmet.

Ergo - certified safety helmets make you fall off your horse.

Back a million years ago when I got my first helmet--can't remember the brand--it was big and seriously mushroomy and weighed a ton, and I swear it effected my balance. It was so heavy, and apparently I have a wet noodle for a neck, that my head'd tip and then I'd be sitting all skewed.

When I blamed the helmet I was teased, of course, but I'm certain the darned thing put me back a few years riding-skills-wise.

[bovon]

I always wear a helmet every time every ride..I want to hold on to the limited amount of braincells that I do have... Ride in a velvet troxel for hunting..tried the GPA's to see what the fuss was all about and found out that an IRH works just as well and fit me better and cost about $125.00 less so I wear that at one day horse trials and at home my white schooling helmet fits the bill. I am a bit of a helmet fanatic and everytime I think about not wearing one juit for "this ride" something happens to reaffirm my belief in helmets...case in point..yesterday while opening gate from one pasture to another pasture on horseback w/ other horses running like crazed hiennas..my very high spirited thoroughbred decided to abruptly lift his head up just as i was lowering mine to open said gate..bang he whacked me a good one and it hurt with the helmet ON...glad again that I wear one everytime for everyride because you just never know..plus I've been dumped enough times and gotten whacked by overhanging branches while riding through dense woods..like I said I need every single brian cell I've got..so far I'm up to five!!:winkgrin: I have noticed hunt staff and masters tooling around in their bowlers..guess they never fall off..certainly ride better tthan I do!!:winkgrin:

[stroll]

I wear the CO Ascot for our formal season, and a bowler during the cubbing season. At home I have another CO Ascot I wear. In our hunt field, it is about 50 - 50 with who wears an approved helmet, and who doesn't.

[Weatherford]

I have noticed hunt staff and masters tooling around in their bowlers..guess they never fall off..certainly ride better tthan I do!!:winkgrin:


Wow! EVEN when I was a kid in the 60's our hunt staff and masters NEVER wore bowlers!! Always hard hats! From what I see here, most of them STILL wear hard hats - though, I do see some CO's out there, too....

Stroll - why would you wear the Ascot for formal and bowler for informal season? I would think it would be the other way around :confused: ? Just curious!

I admit I love the look/feel of my bowler - but never wear it anymore - too many head injuries! :(

[SidesaddleRider]

I have noticed hunt staff and masters tooling around in their bowlers..guess they never fall off..certainly ride better tthan I do!!:winkgrin:

That's odd...actually improper, if you follow the strict attire rules. Technically, staff should always have a hunt cap on, and the field should always be in either a bowler or top hat. Obviously, the field's hat attire has changed, but I've still yet to see staff, or master, in anything other than a hunt cap or helmet.

[Tantivy1]

Stroll:

Read where you stated you wore a CO helmet, specifically, the Ascot model, and an alarm bell went off....I checked online and I had remembered correctly....while it is a beautiful helmet it is NOT an ASTM certified helmet, it is an item of apparel ONLY. I think this applies to the CO Hampton model as well.

I am unsure of any difference between "approved" and "certified" but would guess they are maybe the same thing?

The CO Showjumper model IS approved/certified as is the GR8 (sp?). I think most of the CO models are approved but 2-3 of them are not and it is always stated somewhere - "not ASTM approved". (The SJ model has been revised and now has a much lower profile than the older ones).

There is a HUGE difference between "apparel" v. "approved" for those that are interested.

Here is the info I easily found:


Questions? Call us at 800-450-1559, or email info@legacytack.com

Charles Owen Ascot Hunt Cap

Quantity in Basket: None Code: 10588Price: $132.95 Shipping Weight: 3.00 pounds

The Ascot by Charles Owen is the most elegant show hat on the market. Features a removable, sweat-resistant, open-back leather harness with a unique fastening system designed for comfort and a slim appearance. Classic profile is covered in Italian cotton velvet. Available in black in sizes 6 1/2-7 3/4.
Hunt Cap Warning & Notice: These caps are items of apparel only. They are NOT approved safety helmets. They are not in any sense protective headgear. They have not been designed, manufacured or tested by us, and will afford no significant protection to the wearer against injury to the head resulting from a fall from or a horse or other source of impact.

[Tantivy1]

Bovon:


I am positively intrigued.....for neither have I EVER seen an MFH nor a staff member wearing a bowler (except at related hunting events such as hound shows or carriaging etc.). Bovon, may I respectfully inquire exactly where you viewed hunt staff and MFHs tooling around in bowlers? VERY curious....I guess just when you think you have seen everything! :)

[Tantivy1]

PS

The older Locke and Christy Beaufort helmets....la creme de la creme. Positively gorgeous....deep backs, lush velvet, lovely profiles, no ghastly chin straps ever! And so-so-comfy with the thick and plush deep satin covered insides - I have yet to see any modern day helmet begin to equal theirs in cushiness. The older black helmets would fade over the years to brown, and navy ones to purple!

They were commonly referred to by foxhunters as "brain buckets."

[stroll]

In the past, the staff always wore huntcaps all the time, but when our current huntsman came, the staff started wearing the bowlers in cubbing season, and it has continued thru this day. I very rarely see anyone wear a bowler in formal season anymore. Things change. As far as the bowler staying on, mine fits snugly, and I have yet to have it come loose.

[Tantivy1]

Yes, things sure change....I grew up wearing a bowler every Saturday morning surinf formal season! Never came off either. How I miss gentlemen in scarlet with TOP HATS! Always such a wonderful sight in the field.

[SidesaddleRider]

Stroll:

Read where you stated you wore a CO helmet, specifically, the Ascot model, and an alarm bell went off....I checked online and I had remembered correctly....while it is a beautiful helmet it is NOT an ASTM certified helmet, it is an item of apparel ONLY. I think this applies to the CO Hampton model as well.

Just wanted to clarify that the CO Hampton is ASTM approved.

The only CO models that are not approved are the Ascot and the Beagler. The GR8, Hampton, Showjumper, and Wellington are approved.

[Tantivy1]

Thanks for the refresher - I knew there was a second unapproved CO helmet but wasn't sure of the name.

[SimpsoMatt]

I wear a Charles Owen showjumper. I sacrificed tradition for safety.

One of my pet peeves is field members who wear unapproved hunt caps. They're not safe, and they're not "correct" on field members. Hunt caps are for staff. Field members are supposed to wear bowlers or top hats. Most hunts have relaxed that restriction and allow approved helmets (preferably black velvet) for safety.

If you want to make a choice between safety and tradition, choose one or the other. But a field member wearing a hunt cap is being neither safe nor traditional. Some people prefer hunt caps because they think they're more attractive than helmets. That may be true, but if you're not staff, you're not entitled to wear one. That's just like wearing a scarlet coat when you haven't been awarded that privilege, just because you think it looks better.

If you're staff, ignore the above rant.

[bovon]

Sorry folks I misspoke on the bowlers. (but it was kinda funny to see the response.),,:winkgrin: I think what I meant was a hunt cap..looks like a helmet but has no strap and doesn't protect anything?

[Weatherford]

Actually, "grooms" could always wear a hunt cap - as well as always dress in tweed. Former MFH's and other professionals could also wear hunt caps. Usually, the other professionals were also dressed in tweed and hunted in the back of the field. That was the protocal when I was growing up eons ago....

Glad you clarified that, Bovon!! ;) The only time anyone I know wears a derby now is at hound shows - they look really neat there! That is, when everyone is on the ground, not on a horse... :lol:

[SteeleRdr]

Yeah, that would be a hunt cap NOT a bowler. A bowler, also known as a derby, is usually made of wool and looks like a hat you would see in old English films on the heads of bankers (if I had a picture I'd post).

And as far as people being on their high horse about wearing an approved helmet or not...I'm sorry but most of us are adults and can make our own decisions. The guy I work for on occassion (ex-MFH and steeplechase trainer) is quadrapalegic and was wearing an approved helmet when he fell. Also have a friend who was schooling a horse at a summer camp when the horse spooked and she fell...took her 3 months to remember her name. I've had 3 concussions while wearing approved helmets, but I still wear my hunt cap out hunting...and god forbid a top hat with even less protection! I think sometimes when I'm wearing them I'm more concious of things I'm doing and more likely to stay on because I know I'm not wearing protective headgear!Let people choose what they want to wear. If you fall the wrong way, no matter what type of helmet apparel you are wearing, you might get hurt.

Now, I'm going to get off my own soapbox, and appreciate it if others do too. I think adults can make up their own mind!

[SidesaddleRider]

Here are some pictures of a bowler/derby:
http://www.fellponysociety.org/Newsletters/1968/QueensCouncil_small.jpg
http://www.igallopon.com/images/2006/219/sidesaddle.jpg

:)

[bovon]

ahh to be a slave to fashion...I guess anyone who ever wore heels knows all about that, huh (I've got the damn bunions to prove it!!)...and If you're a man wearing high heels well..that's for a different forum, huh:lol: I do appreciate that saying though.."if you think your hair is more important than your head, it probably is.." Now if I could just get a pair of unbreakable legs..I'd be good to go..(coulda used one of those last year!

[meupatdoes]

My sparkly orange Troxel.

:P

[J Swan]

How gauche.

A colored helmet should always match the saddle pad and lining of your Melton. So if those are orange too - you're ok.

Don't forget the lipstick - orange is a difficult shade to match. I suggest black lip liner, lots of gloss, and blaze orange livestock marker. It's very waxy and will last for the entire day.

You'll look smashing.

My sparkly orange Troxel.

:P