Helmets and other riding safety equipment are now standard for anyone – man, woman, child – who rides horses. Rarely do I see the casual activity of someone riding bareback, without a helmet, and sometimes even barefoot, that I remember so clearly (and fondly) from the horseback riding days of my childhood. Throwing the bridle on my mutt horse, “Juniper,” sometimes using a saddle but more often not, and heading off to a friend’s or out for just a solitary evening or early morning ride. In the summer, especially, “cut-off” shorts, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes were my normal riding attire. No saddle and I would have the dirt and horse hair and sweat on the inside of my legs to prove it. If I had a long ride planned, then I would sometimes saddle Juniper up with my Western saddle. If I had a short ride planned, or just felt like being “fancy,” then my English saddle was my choice.

I was in a horse 4-H club, as well as taking lessons in English pleasure and jumping from a local professional riding teacher. In those days, helmets weren’t even required for class participation and I remember many jumping classes with only my saddle, bridle, and crop in the way of equipment. Boots with heels were advised, but not required, to reduce the risk of a foot slipping through a stirrup. That was all. Helmets and boots were required, though, to participate in the jumping class at shows.

Now, in these more “enlightened” times, we’ve come a long way in safety awareness and most parents would be horrified at the thought of sending their child off on a half ton animal without the appropriate safety gear. As fondly as I remember the days of casual riding, I’m glad that safety is now a priority.