Choosing a Riding Hat

We at Jacks Tack are trained in fitting riding hats.  We are often asked about riding hats and the safety considerations, especially for children.

Please read this page, it offers the latest information in safety standards to consider when selecting riding hats.

Current Standards:

BS EN 1384 1997

This standard replaced both the riding hat and jockey skull British Standards. It is exactly the same as EN 1384:1996 published by the Centre for European Normes in Brussels. Certain people demand BS EN 1384 because the helmet has been tested in Britain. Though in theory there should be no difference, Germany and Italy have approved helmets that would have failed if tested in Britain. Chincups have also been banned. All organisations allow this standard to be worn during completion.

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. Most organisations recommend this level of protection.

PAS 015:1998

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.

The CE Mark is neither a quality mark nor a standard in itself but is a mandatory declaration under EU law by a manufacturer to show compliance with essential requirements of all relevant EU Directives. It was introduced to allow government officials a way of ensuring that products entering a European Country met the basic safety requirements of Europe. Under the Personal Protective Equipment Directive all safety equipment must bear the CE mark showing compliance with the appropriate European safety standard.

Obsolete Standards:

BS 6473:1984

BS 4472:1988

 Guide to Riding Hats:

To protect properly the hat must be fitted correctly, ideally by someone who has attended a BETA hat fitting course. We have here at Jacks Tack.

All hats and skulls must be fitted with an integral adjustable nylon harness and must conform to PAS 015 or EN 1384.

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!

Which is the Safest Hat?

Firstly it is important to understand that no hat can prevent serious injury in certain circumstances. The British PAS 015 1998 still offers the best yet in terms of shock absorbency, penetration and retention.

Other hats offering a high level of protection are:

The European Standard EN 1384

The ASTMF 1163-95

ASTM

Snell E95 (SEI)

Australian/NEW Zealand SNZ 3838 1998

Who will allow which hat?

The Irish Pony Club recommends: BS PAS 015 1998,  BS EN 1384 , ASTMF 1163 (with SEI) or BS EN 1384:1997.  See:  http://www.irishponyclub.ie/files/approved_hat_standards.pdf

The British Horse Society (BHS) recommends: BS PAS 015 1998 , BS EN 1384 , ASTMF 1163 95

The Britsh Horse Trials Association recommends: PAS 015 1998 , BS ASTM 1163 95

But they will accept: BS EN 1384 , SEI Snell E95 , SEI ASTM 95

A definitive guide can be found on the British Horse Society (BHS) leaflet: Protective Headgear. Riders competing under the rules of a Discipline, The Pony Club or Riding Clubs should refer to the respective Rule Books as to the Standards allowed under such rules. BETA’s “What to Wear” also has full details of what hat is required for each of the riding disciplines offered in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Hat Fitting:

Comfort and correct size are paramount when fitting a hat. A BETA retailer is the best person to advise, particularly if they display the BETA Safety Course Certificate indicating they have been trained to fit hats. 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.

Hat Sizes:

Measure head circumference at the widest point of the head, one inch above the eye.