Jockey Skull Caps

Skull Cap Riding Hats 

A riding hat is an essential element of safety equipment for any equestrian discipline, whether in-hand or ridden. A jockey skull cap, traditionally used in horse racing and steeplechasing, is a riding hat designed for all equestrian pursuits and typically offers the highest levels of safety. Skull caps are called many things, from horse riding skull caps to skull riding hats. The word "skull" distinguishes the design from a peaked horse riding hats or helmets. 

Skull caps for horse riding have several layers of materials, with each layer serving a function. The outer layer is thin and decorative. This outermost layer also allows a rider's head to slide upon impact, thus dispersing the impact's energy.  

The second layer is the shell of the riding helmet. The shell flares the impact's forces, creating a wider area in which that impact transfers to the next layer, the expanded polystyrene (EPS). The shell is designed to protect against fractures of the skull.

Many materials can comprise the shell such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), carbon fibre, fibreglass, and fibreglass/Kevlar composite.

The expanded polystyrene (EPS) layer is a thick layer of beads that expand upon impact. When the material expands the impact's forces are absorbed and dispersed. This mechanism serves to help protect the brain from damage and concussion.  

The EPS layer is compromised after a helmet drops or is involved in a horseback riding accident. EPS only works 100% for one fall and needs replacement after an accident.  

The innermost layer is the liner and is usually padded with a foamy material. In addition to providing comfort, the liner acts similarly to the scalp by slipping across the head. This mechanism reduced forces involved in brain sheer. 

The best jockey skull caps also have the MIPS system. MIPS signifies a layer in the helmet's construction adjacent to the EPS layer that reduces rotational forces when a horseback riding fall occurs at an angle, which most do. MIPS is another layer of concussion protection.   

Traditionally, jockey skull caps are black. However, you can find them in various colors, from pinks to blues, golds, silvers, and more. Skull riding caps can also be fitted with hat silks in a multitude of colors and designs for cross country, dressage, Pony Club, racing, or just for fun. Fashion-savvy equestrians can now sport coloured skulls to match their horse show attire with or without silks. 

You will find various features with some brands and models to ensure proper fit, comfort, and safety.  

The chin straps or harness usually have a four-point harness system with two attachments on either side of the helmet near the ears. Harnesses are sometimes adjustable with laces or dials. 

Skull riding hats may come with removable ear protectors and liners. Special fabrics are used to reduce odours and many ear protectors and helmet liners can be laundered or replaced as necessary. 

Ventilation is another feature of some riding skulls to boost comfort. The thin nature of riding skull cap silks will not significantly impact the ventilation.  

Modern materials and designs make helmets waterproof, washable, and resistant to scrapes and scratches. There are many riding skull cap options for every equestrian budget and preference.

Your jockey skull hat offers the best protection when properly fitted. Finding the correct size and design of the riding skull cap is best done by a professional horse riding skull and helmet fitter to ensure you are protected. Unlike traditional horse riding helmets, a horse riding skull cap fits a wider variety of head shapes due to the higher rise in the back. When correctly sized and positioned, the jockey skull hat will have room for hair to fit snugly within the skull cap riding hat. A professional fitter can assist with any jockey skull cap size guide to ensure the proper fit. 

Please visit Discount Equestrian's Size Guide for more information about jockey skull cap sizes or contact our team for advice. You will notice that the collection of skull cap riding hat measuring increments differ from traditional peaked hats and riding helmets. 

"The British Horse Society (BHS) always recommends you go to a reputable tack shop and have a new hat fitted by somebody who has had appropriate BETA training. It is also important to remember to keep your hat always fastened when you are mounted. Never be tempted to buy a second-hand hat. It is impossible to see with the naked eye if it has been damaged."

The Discount Equestrian team can help you decide the best jockey skull cap with the best style and fit for your needs. Please contact our friendly Discount Equestrian team to book a riding helmet or horse riding skull cap fitting appointment. If you do not live near our Discount Equestrian Elwick store, don't hesitate to contact your nearest qualified riding hat fitter. Our team here can also help you find a qualified hat fitter in your local area.

Horse Riding Jockey Skull Caps from all the Best Brands

Discount Equestrian stocks a wide selection of the best skull caps for horse riding. All manufacturers in stock are made to the highest current safety standards. Current safety standards for 2024 for jockey skulls are PAS 015 and VG1 (both must be kitemarked) for UK hats. The Gatehouse HS1 also meets the SNELL E2001, an American standard, but is currently the highest safety standard for horse riding hats and permitted under the new rules.

Read more about the current BHS Approved Centres and BHS Assessments Hat Rules for 2024 here at the BHS.org.uk website. https://www.bhs.org.uk/media/x5gfqnfi/2024-bhs-event-hat-guide-v1.pdf

Check the regulations for your horse riding discipline regarding peaked helmets and skull caps. It is important to note that fixed peak hats are no longer permitted to ride in a cross-country phase and thus must be ridden in a jockey skull with an even, round, or elliptical shape.

For Pony Club, skull riding hats are mandatory for tetrathlon, racing, eventing, horse trials, and mounted games.  

Best sellers include the Charles Own Jockey Skull and The Champion Jockey Skull. Both are popular and appropriate for the new BHS guidelines. For youthful equestrians, the Charles Owen young riders jockey skull is the best choice. 

Kask skull caps have a unique fitting mechanism called FIT. The inner EPS layer has three densities to ensure total shock protection. This FIT system is patented and assures the skull hat will perfectly fit the rider. 

The Uvex skull cap features an adjustable dial for the chin harness. When tightened, the harness provides additional safety and comfort. 

** Our Discount Equestrian team recommends wearing a correctly fitted riding hat, riding helmet, or jockey skull cap that adheres to all relevant safety standards while leading, riding, lunging, long-reining, driving, or working around horses in any capacity! **

Care and storage of your horse riding skull cap

It's vital to replace your horse riding skull cap at least every five years or sooner if heavily used. Any falls or accidental drops of your riding skull require replacement as well. Invisible damage can damage the structural integrity of the riding skull cap. 

We recommend storing your riding hat, helmet, or skull riding cap in a cool, dry environment – preferably in a padded hat bag to protect it from damage during storage and transit. You can find all the hat care products you could possibly need – such as hat deodorisers and hat disinfectant sprays, along with hat bags and protectors – right here, at Discount Equestrian.