Hide a Helmet Q&A: Stylish Equestrian Safety

Horseback riding is called an extreme sport, in which participants may risk serious injuries, particularly in falls from their mounts. Many equestrian disciplines now require safety helmets for riders.

Latina Raville, of Laurens, South Carolina, is using her head and capitalizing on this trend by offering a variety of colorful and stylish covers for equestrian safety helmets. As a professional CT technologist and a lifelong equestrian, Raville has seen plenty of head injuries among riders, making her a champion for safety headgear. Showing in both Pleasure and Driving classes, she has even sustained injuries of her own.

The founder and owner of Hide a Helmet was kind enough to participate in a one-on-one interview to discuss her home-sewn equestrian helmet cover enterprise.

Q: How did Hide a Helmet begin?

Raville: I have been making my own helmet covers for over five years and have offered them for sale since 2009. At first, I cut brims off large hats and sewed them onto lycra helmet covers by hand. Then I designed a helmet cover with an attached brim.

Q: Which helmet covers are your favorites?

Raville: My favorite style is the medium-width brim, since I like to fold the sides up for carriage driving. Made in felt, it offers shade without being too big for me. I decorate each one to match my outfit for horse shows. In September 2010, we won the turnout and other classes at the Carolina Carriage Show.

Q: What styles are your biggest sellers?

Raville: I've been getting lots of orders for the larger brim Western style and the smaller brimmed Bowler/Derby style covers. I am seeing lots of interest from Western, team penning, drill team and recreational riders. Dressage and English riders are asking for the Derby style.

Q: Do you offer a range of sizes?

Raville: Each helmet cover is custom-made to order. Most will stretch to fit several different helmets. The fleece styles have more give and will fit medium and large helmets. Felt covers are lighter, offer more ventilation and hold their shape better, but they have less stretch.

Q: How long do helmet cover orders take?

Raville: Usually, orders from U.S. customers are shipped within two weeks after payment is received.

Q: Are your helmet covers also available in stores?

Samples are displayed at Country Carriages (in Columbus, North Carolina) and Camptown Harness (in Aiken, South Carolina) and online.

Q: Where do you see your business headed?

Raville: I am in the process of obtaining a patent and looking for someone to manufacture and market the helmet covers on a larger scale. With new helmet rules and the trend toward more equestrians wearing helmets, I think they will be more in demand.

Q: How do you feel about equestrians wearing, or not wearing, safety helmets?

Raville: I feel it is best to take every precaution possible, just as I wear a seat belt in a vehicle. I have seen the effects of horse accidents both with and without helmets. And I have been in accidents with my helmet on. No doubt the helmets can be a life saver. Of course adults can make their own choices. I just hope to encourage them to make wise choices, like wearing helmets as well as other safe practices. I always say, "Use your head, and protect your head."

More from this contributor:

10 Key Safety Preparations for Equestrian Trail Riding

10 Steps to Mounting a Horse from the Ground

Rollkur Vs. LDR - a Sporthorse Breeder's Reflection on Hyperflexion

Use Your Head! Choosing a Safety Helmet for Horseback Riding