I recently learned that Canadian Pony Club recommends that riders use mouth guards during cross country jumping events. This makes good sense to me considering how many teeth seem to meet rails during jumping competitions. So I am making a dentist appointment for my daughter for a proper mouth guard. She also wears a crash vest when jumping and riding a green or unknown horse. I know that all the safety equipment in the world will not make you 'bullet proof'. But if you have the option of wearing any piece of equipment that could spare you from injury it is just foolhardy not to use it.

I believe that you should never get on a horse without a helmet. The reason I believe this is because I've experienced what happens when you make an 'unscheduled dismount' on your head. I can tell you concussions are not fun. I was lucky. Here is the experience of another About Horse Reader: "The broken ribs healed but I’m still dealing with the brain injury. I lost my short term memory and my long term memory. I have gotten back alot of my long term memory but not a lot of my short term. It’s been a real struggle for me in my day to day life. I wouldn’t want ANYONE to go through this so do the smart thing and wear a helmet when you ride".

Yes, you may think, "it's my head". But if your really think you don't need a helmet then you should look your son, daughter, spouse, or friend in the eye and tell them: I don't need a helmet, but if I am wrong it will be your job to care for me. Please, each time you ride, wear a helmet. And for those of you that do: good job! (I'll get off my soap box now.)

Now, what other equipment have you used? If the equipment is not listed on the poll, please leave a comment below and tell us about it.