Horse Riding Hats & Helmets
As riders, we know that contact with horses can be risky. Not only is horse riding a potentially dangerous sport, but horses themselves are strong, powerful animals with a mind of their own.
When riding, handling or working around horses, safety should always be a priority and selecting a correctly fitted riding hat is the most important piece of equipment you will ever buy. Whether you choose a jockey skull cap or a peaked riding hat, selecting a reputable brand with manufacturing that meets current safety standards will help offer protection when you need it most.
Here at Discount Equestrian, we are passionate about safety. Therefore, we only select hats and helmets from reputable equestrian brands who are dedicated to manufacturing top quality safety wear, including Champion®, Charles Owen®, Gatehouse®, Kask®, KEP®, and Uvex®. You’ll discover riding hats and riding helmets for riders of all ages, and competitors of all disciplines, in our incredible Riding Hats & Helmets range.
Perfect for dressage, hunting and everyday riding, riding hats are mainly available in black and navy with an under chin harness (with the exception of the Beagler for hunting which does not meet safety standards for riding due to the absence of the harness and thinner shell) and have a classic fit around the nape of the neck, a peaked profile and soft internal padding. Riding hat manufacturers over recent years have introduced many new finishes, colours and designs. For the most personal touch, custom made options available from brands such as Charles Owen, Kask and Kep allowing that bespoke look to match both your personality, show jacket and Horse wear.
Recently many riding hats have converted to offering an adjustable sizing which is particularly useful for childrens riding hats, allowing you to increase its size over a period of time. More common is the shell/hat liner design which allows you to swap out the liner for a particualr size and also another practical benefit of this is that liners can be unclipped and popped into the washing machine to keep them nice and clean. Uvex have been providing light weight adjustable riding hats for years. Their design operates using an adjustable dial at the back which provides a really snug fit no matter the shape of your head. The shape of your head was not really catered for with regard to riding hats. Everyone's head shape is different so typically hat fitting did often rely on packing out the hat to found a suitable fit. Nowadays most riding hat manufacturers provide both standard and round fit shells making life a little easier.
To compete under affiliated rules, the minimum standards your riding hat must adhere to (following the riding hat rule changes in 2016) are the PAS 015, VG1 - provided they are BSI Kitemarked. From December 2015, EN1384 and BSEN1384 are no longer acceptable for competition.
** Our Discount Equestrian team recommends that you wear a correctly fitted riding hat, riding helmet, or jockey skull cap that adheres to all relevant safety standards while leading, riding, lunging, long-reining, driving, or working around horses in any capacity! **
“The British Horse Society (BHS) always recommends you go to a reputable tack shop and have a new hat fitted by somebody who has had appropriate BETA training. It is also important to remember to keep your hat fastened at all times when you are mounted. Never be tempted to buy a second-hand hat. It is impossible to see with the naked eye if it has been damaged.”
For detailed information about riding hat safety regulations, here is a list of documents that explain current guidance and legislation regarding riding hats, riding helmets, and jockey skull caps according to the BHS:
* BHS Events Hat Guide 2021
* BHS Hat Standards 2021
* BHS International Hat Standards 2021
* BHS Equestrian Access Groups Hat Guidelines 2021
As with any safety equipment, riding hats can only offer assured protection when correctly fitted, so we advise that you get the fit of your hat checked by a professional before use. Please contact our friendly Discount Equestrian team if you’d like to book a riding hat, riding helmet, or jockey skull cap fitting appointment. If you do not live in the vicinity of our Discount Equestrian Elwick store, please contact your nearest qualified riding hat fitter – alternatively, feel free to contact us so we can help to direct you to a qualified hat fitter in your local area.
Should you drop your hat, or you are involved in a fall of any kind, it is imperative that you replace your riding hat immediately. Even if your hat does not appear to be damaged, any impact can have a detrimental effect on the structural integrity of your hat and will render it unsuitable for continued use.
We recommend storing your riding hat, riding helmet, or jockey skull cap in a cool, dry environment – preferably in a padded hat bag to protect it from damage during storage and transit. You can find all the hat care products you could possibly need – such as hat deodoriser, hat disinfectant spray, and hat bags – right here, at Discount Equestrian!
At Discount Equestrian we bring you some of the leading brands including Charles Owen, Champion, Gatehouse and KASK Riding Hats. As with any safety equipment, riding hats can only offer assured protection when correctly fitted, we advise that your hat is checked by a professional for fit before use. Should you drop your hat or you are involved in a fall of any kind, it is important that you replace your riding hat. Damage may not be visible to the naked eye and any form of impact could affect the internal structure of the hat. It is important to store your riding hat in a cool, dry environment between uses – we offer hat deodoriser and riding hat bags to ensure the longevity the life of your hat. From the Champion Junior X-Air Hat to the infamous Charles Owen Ayr8 made famous by Charlotte Dujardin at the Olympics, we offer a range of hats for every rider from Pony Club and Junior sizing through to professional rider at great prices, here at Discount Equestrian.
