True or False: A student who has extreme difficulties with sensory processing and cannot tolerate a helmet can still ride in an adaptive/therapeutic riding lesson as long as they have a full team

Original prompt posted on the Hoof Falls & Footfalls Facebook page:

Original prompt posted on the Hoof Falls & Footfalls Facebook page:

Reason #1: STANDARDS RELATING TO HELMET USE:

The PATH Intl. Standard MA2* is a mandatory standard that states all participants must wear an ASTM-SEI or international equivalent approved helmet for equestrian use. If a student is unable to wear a helmet there must be additional documentation and steps taken before a participant may engaged in mounted services (not necessarily ar/tr!).¹

CHA R-1: PATH Intl. Standards Manual is a mandatory standard that states that the instructor/program has access to the PATH Intl. Standards Manual (including the Precautions & Contraindications) and should utilize this as a guide to operating ar/tr lessons.²

CHA R-2: Client Acceptance Procedure states that there should be a written procedure that outlines the requirements/procedures for accepting students with disabilities into the program. As part of the procedures for acceptance the ability of the client to wear a helmet should be assessed. Yes, this is only a recommended standard and not mandatory. But I would argue that R-1 which is mandatory supersedes the “recommend” status of this standard.

CHA P-23: Use of Equestrian Helmets is only “recommended” and not mandatory but the wording under the standard strongly backs the use of helmets and outlines additional steps that should be considered/taken if a program allows a student to ride without a helmet. This standard applies to both traditional and ar/tr lessons so I would also argue that CHA R-1 supersedes this recommended standard as well due to the PATH Intl. Standards also needing to get involved in ar/tr lessons.

Reason #2: CONTRAINDICATIONS RELATING TO HELMET USE:

Inability for a student to safely wear, appropriately wear, and/or tolerate a helmet is listed as a PATH Intl. Contraindication under ASD, PDD, Cranial Defects, Head/Neck Control, Hydrocephalus/Shunt.³ The presence of a contraindication makes the activity inappropriate even if a medical professional says it’s ok.

Reason #3: PATH Intl. ALTERNATIVE HELMET USE GUIDELINES

PATH Intl. Alternative Helmet Use guidelines ⁴gives instructors and programs very specific guidelines to consider and implement before allowing a student to use an alternative, non ASTM-SEI or international equivalent helmet.

Most of these considerations and things that must be implemented then push the mounted services outside the realm of adaptive/therapeutic riding and into PT, OT, or Speech that incorporates equines (hippotherapy).

Alternative helmets may be acceptable under very specific circumstances, several of which are conditions that include Precautions and Contraindications that may push the participant from ar/tr into a therapy service OR may completely disqualify them due to safety issues.

One of the MANY guidelines under which a PATH Intl. Centers may consider alternative helmets states that: “The equine-assisted services must be directly supervised by an occupational or physical therapist or a speech-language pathologist.”. This then would move the mounted service outside of ar/tr and into the therapy realm.

Yes…..There is also a guideline that says alternative helmet use can be considered when: “A non-ASTM-SEI approved helmet may be used ONLY when there are a leader and two sidewalkers with the participant as minimum safety requirements”.

BUT ALSO NOTE that the Alternative Helmet Use Guidelines are also worded in a way that the guidelines should be used together and are “and” (all guidelines should be met) NOT “or” (meet one of them and you are ok). This guideline is likely where the “true” across the board myth comes from as it relates to ar/tr lessons.

Reason #4: LOCAL LAWS & INSURANCE COVERAGE

Depending on your insurance carrier, they may require appropriate equestrian helmets for all mounted participants in ar/tr lessons and possibly even mounted therapy services under the supervision of a PT, OT, or Speech therapist. Check with your insurance company!

Some states also have laws that prohibit mounted equestrian activities without the use of helmets. Check your state and local laws!

So….in conclusion:

I encourage adaptive/therapeutic riding instructors and barns/programs/centers to:

• Thoroughly read and research all standards, precautions, contraindications relating to the situation and know that you often have to piece together several things to get a best answer and see the big picture.
• Understand the different mounted services that can be provided within the Equine Assisted Services Industry, who they are provided by, and how that impacts you as an adaptive/therapeutic riding instructor.
• Continue to stay updated on industry standards and best practices
• Don’t let your emotions rule your final decision

I understand that this is a hot topic and can sometimes get emotions going because when instructors do allow students to ride without an equestrian helmet is out of the desire to help and be a “fixer”. BUT we have to be careful that we don’t let our “fixer” hearts and want to serve others go before what is the safest decision for all involved (student, volunteers, program, etc.).

Please know that if you allow or have allowed ar/tr students to ride without helmets I’m not judging you but urging you to do your thorough research.

• Don’t do something just because you heard other instructors were allowing it to happen.
• Don’t do it because you think “____ family would never sue me” or “______ accident” would never happen at our barn.
• Don’t do it just because you feel guilted into the decision and are afraid of saying “no”.

Research, prove, and document why your decision is the best choice but also know that during that discovery phase sometimes the answer or wisest decision is not always the one we want.

If you made it this far in reading…congratulations! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Note: Information above relates to ar/tr instructors in the USA and Canada following guidelines set by the main organizations that are involved with ar/tr instructor certification. Other RDA organizations that are in countries beyond the USA and Canada may have other guidelines for alternative helmet use and instructors certified/trained/etc. through those organizations should thoroughly research local rules, regulations, and best practices regarding alternative helmet use for ar/tr participants.
Information in this post is meant for educational purposes only.

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Want to learn more about topics mentioned in this post? Check out the Intuitive Instructor Content below:

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1. Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. (2021)Standards for Certification & Accreditation 2021 Edition¹. PATH Intl² ↩︎
2. Certified Horsemanship Association. (2024)Standards for Equestrian Programs¹². CHA. ↩︎
3. Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. (2021)Standards for Certification & Accreditation 2021 Edition¹. PATH Intl² ↩︎
4. Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. (2021)Standards for Certification & Accreditation 2021 Edition¹. PATH Intl² ↩︎