How riding hats are tested
By Allison Lowther
Tack and equipment advice
02 February 2012 14:01
Products Editor, Allison Lowther, was invited by Design Headwear Ltd to attend a press day at HPE, an independant helmet test laboratory. She explains how riding hats are tested there.
We were lucky enough to watch some live Snell E2001 standard testing carried out by Brian and Paul Walker of HPE, leading figures in the world of safety headwear.
The tests were done on a Gatehouse HS1 helmet. Snell E2001 is the highest manufactured equestrian helmet safety standard in the world. The Gatehouse HS1 is the only jockey skull in the UK to carry the American Snell E2001, as well as PAS015 and BS EN1384. Widely regarded as the highest riding hat standard currently in manufacture, Snell E2001 includes a unique test that simulates a rider falling onto a fence rail, or having a secondary hit by a horse’s hoof.
We watched several impact tests that simulate a rider falling off in various scenarios. The testing is done precisely using specialist machinery with results recorded on computer. Although the actual test happens quite quickly it’s the noise of the helmet hitting the anvil that’s shocking – it made me wince each time.
The next test we saw was the penetration test, which simulates what would happen to the hat if, for example, your horse is wearing studs and he stands on you after you’ve fallen off. Again, this is all done precisely. This test had an instant shock factor as you could see the anvil penetrate the shell of the helmet, but there was no sign of impact on the inside, so the helmet had done its job stopping any damage to the head form that the helmet sits on for the test.
The helmet harness is also put through strict testing, making sure it won’t break and that after testing the harness fastening still works.
Watching the live tests was interesting but watching the DVD showing various Snell E2001 test impacts on an HS1 in slow motion was quite frightening. This is when it really hit home what happens to your riding hat when you fall off.
To watch the outer shell of the helmet bow inwards on impact and return to normal to show virtually no visible damage is scary.
More than anything it has highlighted to me the importance of replacing your hat after a fall. I’m guilty of not always doing this and I’m sure I’m not alone – but not any more – watching the footage gave me a much needed reality check!
The pictures above show:
1. Setting up test equipment, 2. Gatehouse HS1 horseshoe anvil, 3. Snell penetration test, 4. HS1 cross section showing penetration test, 5. Snell harness testing
