What’s a Member’s Safety Worth?

1. What’s a Member’s Safety Worth? Jim B. Wilson Area 4-H/Youth Extension Educator University of Idaho April 28, 2005

2. Program Goals • Increase your awareness of potential hazards and related safety issues when working with youth and horses. • Challenge you to analyze your personal beliefs and convictions related to the use of equestrian helmets.

3. Remember, when you ride ... • Accidents are inevitable • even when using proper safety precautions • When you fall, it is very likely that you will hit your head

4. Remember, when you ride ... • You can’t always control what your head hits • You can control what protects your head!

5. Which Would You Choose?

6. Do Helmets Really Matter? • U.S. Pony Club findings (1983-1990) • Since requiring ASTM helmets • Reduced head injuries 29% • Reduced facial injuries 62% • American Medical Equestrian Assn. • Use of ASTM F1163/SEI Helmets (1990) • Reduced all riding-related head injuries 30% • Reduced severe head injuries 50%

7. What’s With Those Letters? • Current industry standard for helmets • ASTM F 1163 • American Soc. for Testing and Materials • Society’s “Standard Specification for Headgear Used in Horse Sports.” • SEI • Safety Equipment Institute • Test helmets to insure they meet standards.

8. Aren’t All Helmets Equal? • ASTM/SEI helmets meet rigid standards • Standards reviewed at least every 5 years. • Non-ASTM helmets or their box carry a warning label including a clause that these helmets are: “an item of apparel only and will provide no protection to the head from a fall or other source of impact.”

9. But Helmets Are Expensive! • Compared to What? • Cost of the horse? • Cost of your other riding equipment? • Cost of the feed or health care? • ASTM helmets range from $25 - $110 • What’s your personal/physical safety worth?

10. It Couldn’t Happen to Me! • Every Time, Every Ride • Produced by • Washington State 4-H Foundation • 7612 Pioneer Way • Puyallup, WA 98371-4998

11. Selecting/Fitting a Helmet • Select a helmet that fits comfortably • Hold head still and gently rock the helmet • Should cause scalp to move with the helmet • Adjust throat strap securely in position

12. Caring for Your Helmet • Properly cared for helmets provide several years of useful life. • Steps in cleaning • Exterior and inner fabrics cleaned with warm water & mild detergent; wipe shell w/soft lint-free cloth. • Harness assembly cleaned with damp cloth only. • Avoid >1000F temperatures when drying

13. Inspecting Your Helmet • Check for visible signs • Cracks in shell • Deterioration in harness assembly • After a fall or any other significant impact • Return helmet to manufacturer for inspection • Non-visible damage can reduce effectiveness

14. Other Considerations • At club practices, county & district events • Riding Clinics • County Shows • At State 4-H horse shows • In 2005, helmets are required whenever mounted. A 4-H member may sign a helmet waiver, also requires a parents signature.

15. Let’s Get Egg-Cited!! • What are the similarities between this egg and your head? • Harder outer casing; fragile contents inside • How safe is your head in a fall from: • A working trot (8 mph) with helmet? • A training gallop (20 mph) with helmet? • A working trot (8 mph) w/o helmet? • Does a helmet make you invincible?

16. Some People Choose To:

17. But Remember, • What’s your personal safety worth? • It’s tough to go riding from a wheelchair, coma or the grave. • Ultimately, it is your head and your decision “What is Your Choice?”

18. Where Do We Go From Here? • Questions? • Seminar evaluation: Title: Horses, Helmets and Safety Presenter: Jim Wilson, Univ. of Idaho

19. Presenter Contact Information

20. Horses, Helmets, and Safety is compliments of Developer: Jim Wilson Area 4-H/Youth Extension Educator 1000 W. Hubbard, Suite 140 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 Ph. (208) 446-1680 E-mail: jwilson@uidaho.edu