| If you think that it is not cool to wear a hat or | | | | a new one from the start. |
| that it causes you headaches, there are now a | | | | 4. Do not opt for a hat that is meant for another |
| variety of hats in various sizes, shapes and | | | | sport. Each sport has its own safety codes and |
| colours that can be comfortable, attractive and | | | | the equipment is designed accordingly. Hence it is |
| smart. And never think that you are experienced | | | | always better to get a horse riding hat for horse |
| enough to ride without a hat. There are records | | | | riding. |
| of accidents happening to riders who have | | | | 5. There are hats meant for basic schooling in |
| experience of 25-30 years who were not wearing | | | | horse riding to the advanced derby and cowboy |
| hats while riding. | | | | style hats. Go for the one which suits your skills |
| Hats are normally made of hard shells, which | | | | and experience. Also, for each riding discipline, |
| contain both light and strong materials like | | | | there are specific horse riding hats designed. So |
| fibreglass, carbon fibre, etc. This depends on the | | | | when you buy your hat, get the one that suits |
| brand you buy. The size of the hat is normally | | | | the riding discipline that you intend to focus on. |
| given on the inside. There are a wide range of | | | | 6. Make sure that the manufacturers have a |
| sizes available from child to adult, and they will be | | | | replacement policy for their hats, so that you can |
| measured in both centimetres and inches. Normal | | | | replace your horse riding hat once it is damaged, |
| sizes range from 49 to 65 cm or from 6 to 8 | | | | dropped or been subject to a severe blow. |
| inches. | | | | Types of hats: |
| When you buy a horse riding hat: | | | | There are various kinds of hats now available. |
| 1. Make sure that the hat fits your head properly. | | | | 1. Jumping hats, which have ventilation in the shell |
| It should provide good ventilation too. It shouldn't | | | | and a secure harness |
| be too loose or too tight. When you wear it, the | | | | 2. Dressage hats, which have a lower peak |
| hat should come down to your eyebrows, | | | | towards the rim. This is used for dressage and |
| covering your whole forehead. At the same time, | | | | showing. |
| it should not expose the back portion of your | | | | 3. Cross-country hats, which come with ventilation |
| head. When you tilt or move your head, it should | | | | slots and without a peak. This hat gives more |
| not shake forwards to backwards or from side | | | | head protection. |
| to side. | | | | 4. Top hats, which have no chin strap and are |
| 2. If you have long hair, get a horse riding hat | | | | worn in dressage competitions and eventing. |
| that has a ponytail port. This will help you to avoid | | | | 5. Skull caps, which have no peak but do have a |
| stuffing all your hair inside the hat and making it | | | | chin strap. This is often used for racing and |
| too tight. | | | | pleasure riding. |
| 3. Look for any kind of seal of approval on the | | | | 6. Polo hats, which have a fixed peak, detachable |
| hat. Get a hat that guarantees safety. Trying to | | | | face shield and air holes in the shell. |
| save money by getting a cheap hat can cost | | | | Storing a horse riding hat: |
| your life. Similarly, do not go for used hats. It | | | | 1. Avoid dropping or kicking it. Hats should be |
| might have met with a severe blow earlier and | | | | taken proper care of. |
| not be as safe as it looks. Moreover, even if the | | | | 2. If it's summer, don't store it in a hot trunk. |
| horse riding hat has not had any accidents, the | | | | Overheating of the hat can affect your head |
| average lifespan of a hat is four years, after | | | | when you wear it later. |
| which it needs to be replaced anyway. So go for | | | | |