Fitting your Riding Hat
I'm sure, if you're reading this that you already know that an ill fitting hat can be as dangerous as not wearing a hat at all!
Firstly, always ensure that your riding hat has a Kitemark approval showing that it is up to the most recent standards of safety. The current standards are:
BS EN 1384:1997 This standard replaced both the riding hat and jockey skull British Standards. This European standard is a major leap forward over the previous British standards. All organisations allow this standard to be worn during competitions.
PAS 015:1994
This standard is BSI's enhanced EN 1384 standard and was introduced at the formal request of the BHS following a number of serious accidents. Though it predates BS EN 1384 by nearly 3 years, it provides improved protection to the crown and the intermediate areas which together account for 75% of most general riding impacts. As the test line is lower at the front, it tends to lead to slightly bulkier helmets. Most organisations recommend this level of protection.
PAS 015:1998 If the hat suffers a severe impact - even dropping onto a hard surface, it should be thrown away and a new one purchased. It is easy to replace a hat, but impossible to replace a head!
With the official publication of EN 1384 certain differences occurred between PAS 015 and EN 1384 which were not foreseen in 1994. This revision removes those differences as well as addressing new areas of protection which were found in most existing PAS 015 models. Namely - crush resistance and prevention of brain injury when landing on an edged surface. Due to initial problems with more rigid, chincupless helmets, a stability test is also included to limit excessive movement during wearing or a fall.Who will allow which hat?
The British Horse Society recommends:
BS PAS 015 1998
BS EN 1384
ASTMF 1163 95
The British Horse Trials Association recommends:
PAS 015 1998
BS ASTM 1163 95
Points to remember when buying a hat:
- Care not to choose a hat that is too large because firmness has been mistaken for tightness.
- Adjust harness, chin strap first, then back strap. Check it each time it is used.
- After being subject to a severe blow a hat should be replaced, even though there may be no visible sign of damage
