Dangers of hair and trail riding!

**Ponytale** · May 23rd, 2009, 06:05 PM

I had a freak accident today. I wear my hair in a multi-band ponytail horseback riding because it is the only thing that stays like a rock (I also wear a helmet). I have been trying to figure out a way over the top of a mountain with no trail. Today, we got caught on a steep side and the only way out was up. As we came over the ridge, a branch from a mountain laurel that we tried to squeeze under (barely over the saddle) latched into my shirt and stuck in the multi-band ponytail. Luckily, when I said "Stop! Stop!", my horse froze. I really had to work to get it out feeling just a tad panicky that if my guy spooked, I was going to be yanked out of the saddle by my head. Mountain laurels don't snap and they are like steel if you have ever had to hike or ride through them. (In fact, at the same time the tree got my hand and I actually had to remove my gloves to check the damage it hurt so bad).

I am not a "wimp" by any means, but this incident disturbed me enough that I am rethinking this style. In 30 years of riding, this is a first!

**renarok** · May 23rd, 2009, 06:20 PM

Wow, what a scary story! Thank goodness you're ok. I'm glad your horse listened to you. It sounds like a freak accident. I doubt you could recreate that scenario and get those results twice. It seems like the multi-banded pony is a safe style. Maybe you could tuck the tail into the back of your shirt?

**Alia** · May 23rd, 2009, 06:35 PM

Wow, I would have been so scared! You're lucky you've such a good horse. Do you think you could use a larger helmet and wrap your ponytail or braid around your head under it?

**tsenglish@ns.sy** · May 23rd, 2009, 07:07 PM

Tuck the braid up as in competition (speaking of english, hunter/jumper, not sure if you compete, or in what discipline), and hair net under the helmet. Absolutely not a bigger helmet. the helmet must be snug to the head of the rider to be effective in case thrown. Your eyebrows should be pulled up when you try to lift the helmet off.

**Ponytale** · May 23rd, 2009, 07:15 PM

I was lucky. It was the second "incident" today while riding where I told him to stop and he did and waited for me to say what to do--avoiding a potentially serious situation. I got a tad choked up riding back thinking how far he has come (he is 7 and I trained him from a two year old). When I got back, I had a big sticky mountain laurel bloom stuck in my ponytail (people probably thought I was being "cute" if they saw me at all).

I don't think I can stand my hair under my helmet. A looser helmet would make me more nervous than the ponytail since my helmet has saved me more than once from injury.

**Ponytale** · May 23rd, 2009, 07:18 PM

Tsenglish,
I am planing on training for endurance racing/competitive trail, so it has to be a comfortable durable combination.

**tsenglish@ns.sy** · May 23rd, 2009, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Ponytale

I was lucky. It was the second "incident" today while riding where I told him to stop and he did and waited for me to say what to do--avoiding a potentially serious situation. I got a tad choked up riding back thinking how far he has come (he is 7 and I trained him from a two year old). When I got back, I had a big sticky mountain laurel bloom stuck in my ponytail (people probably thought I was being "cute" if they saw me at all).

I don't think I can stand my hair under my helmet. A looser helmet would make me more nervous than the ponytail since my helmet has saved me more than once from injury.

If you can't wear it up competition-style, I'd second tucking the braid into your shirt... though a branch could technically still snag it. maybe a silk scarf around the neck to occupy the space between the helmet & your collar & cover the braid?

**tsenglish@ns.sy** · May 23rd, 2009, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Ponytale

Tsenglish,
I am planing on training for endurance racing/competitive trail, so it has to be a comfortable durable combination.

Ah. I was thinking you were just out for a pleasurable hack =) . Hmmmm, in that case, I would still have to say either one or 2 braids flipped up under the helmet, or the single braid rolled under & secured t the nape covered by a hairnet. Or an "equitation bun". I can't think of any other ways, really.

**Tornerose** · May 23rd, 2009, 09:38 PM

Use some form of hairnet/snood under your helmet, try a really strong one without eastics. Maybe you can get it sewn in to your helmet too, so you don't lose it?

**Renbirde** · May 24th, 2009, 12:59 AM

What happens if you pull your hair into a pony, put your helmet on, and then wrap the pony into a bun? The helmet would still fit the same, and the hair would be more out of the way. Depending on how your helmet is shaped, if you wrap it tightly, it might even be able to snuggle up against the back edge out of the way of wayward trees.