Gosbee, HHume, PATheadom, A2026-05-282026-05-282025-11-27Injury, ISSN: 0020-1383 (Print); 1879-0267 (Online), Elsevier, 57(5), 112907-. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.1129070020-13831879-0267http://hdl.handle.net/10292/21287Objective Helmets play a critical role in preventing and reducing the severity of head injuries in high-risk sports. Understanding the factors influencing equestrian helmet use and safety perceptions is needed to optimise injury prevention strategies. Methods In this cross-sectional study of 596 equestrian participants aged ≥12 years, we assessed helmet use, factors influencing helmet purchase decisions, and perceptions of helmet safety. Chi square tests and regression models examined differences by age, professional status, jumping versus non-jumping disciplines and concussion history. Results Helmet use whilst riding was high (96 % participants). A high proportion of helmets used for competition (97 %) met at least one safety standard, however this was lower for recreational use (65 %). Younger equestrians (aged 12-44 years) and those who had not experienced a concussion were more likely to rank price as the most important factor for helmet purchase decision making. There were no differences by jumping or non-jumping equestrian disciplines or professional status. Older age and being female were independently linked with higher perceptions of helmet safety in the regression model (p = 0.01). Conclusion Safety messages need to focus on improving understanding of helmet standards and the reasoning behind safety recommendations to help reduce the injury risk in equestrian sports, particularly targeting adolescents/young adults.© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. Note: This article is available under the Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND license and permits non-commercial use of the work as published, without adaptation or alteration provided the work is fully attributed.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/AwarenessBrain injuryConcussionEquestrianHelmets4206 Public Health42 Health SciencesPediatric Research InitiativePreventionUnintentional Childhood InjuryPhysical Injury - Accidents and Adverse EffectsChildhood Injury3 Good Health and Well Being1103 Clinical Sciences1110 Nursing1117 Public Health and Health ServicesOrthopedics32 Biomedical and clinical sciences3202 Clinical sciences3203 Dentistry42 Health sciencesHumansHead Protective DevicesCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleMaleAdultAdolescentAthletic InjuriesChildYoung AdultCraniocerebral TraumaHorsesHorsesHumansCraniocerebral TraumaAthletic InjuriesCross-Sectional StudiesHead Protective DevicesAdolescentAdultChildFemaleMaleYoung AdultHumansHead Protective DevicesCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleMaleAdultAdolescentAthletic InjuriesChildYoung AdultCraniocerebral TraumaHorsesJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.1016/j.injury.2025.112907