When learning to ride a horse or pony, the closer you can get to correct riding clothing the more comfortable and safe you will be whilst riding. An absolute essential that should never be overlooked is the riding hat. Riding hats come in various sizes and styles, the two most commonly seen are the skull cap or jockey helmet and the traditional riding hat with a peak (often referred to as a velvet riding hat).
Whichever riding hat you choose to use, they should always be kite marked, and ideally conform to the British standard for riding hats of BSEN 1384 and the PAS 015. Choosing a riding hat of at least these standards will ensure that the rider is fully protected whatever the choose to do on the horse, be in riding in the confines of a manege or galloping and jumping across country or whilst hunting.
A lot of modern riding hats include some form of ventilation which is often also seen as essential by people that ride on a regular basis, as they help to prevent your head from becoming overly hot and sweaty whilst horse riding.
The skull cap was once the most popular and safest type of riding hat, and was used by jockeys in particular, as well as everyday horse riders. Silks or hat covers are used with the jockey skull cap to give it a peak and its often colourful appearance, and because of this they are a useful everyday riding hat as the rider is able to use different hat covers for different occasions. The other popular style of horse riding hat is the traditional looking velvet covered riding hat, that has a built in peak. These hats are most often seem in horse riding competitions, especially show jumping or dressage or when showing horses.
