My helmet is as precious as my horse by AmyJust this year I was riding my 25 year old horse. She is still a livewire. I was practising my position and decided to ride with no stirrups.
As we came round the arena corner she spooked at some barrels and swerved, I came off and smashed the back of my head on the railings. I was dizzy and shocked. I cannot imagine the comsequences if I had not been wearing a helmet.
It's just not worth taking the risk. I want to share so much more time with my horse and not die a premature death, for something that could have been avoided.