I have been busy the last few days packing up my trailer ("home away from home") to head out for our annual West trip. After almost 30 years of participating in this sport, I have migrated from a bed in the back of the pickup or the two-horse tagalong trailer to a wonderful gooseneck that my husband and I have built huge living quarters in so that I now go to a ride in style.

All the necessities for the horse stay in the trailer at all times except for adding fresh hay and feed. All the necessities for me stay in there also except for fresh food and clean clothes. I never pull out without Coggins papers, health certificate, driver's license and, of course, money--both real and plastic. The only other item I can think of that I consider essential for my welfare at a ride is . . . my helmet.

Now don't get all stirred up and think this is going to be a call for mandatory helmet wearing because I am not quite to that point yet. However, I think that anyone who starts out on the back of an endurance horse to cover any distance should have one on.

We have all heard the stories of folks who are only here today because they had a helmet on. I have one of those stories. The very first ride after I got a helmet, my horse slipped on pavement and slammed me down on my head. I was only out for a few seconds, but I doubt I would have ever been back in had I not been wearing my helmet.

I have not always made sure my helmet went on before my leg went over a horse. I always had an excuse: it's just a training ride, or it's Old Reliable, he won't do anything silly. When I got my latest horse, young and fresh, I--being old and stale--decided I would make it a point to always wear a helmet when riding him. I have stuck by that vow for the past three years. I have had several unplanned dismounts since that time but my head has remained the one part of my body unhurt.

The old saying, "If you have something to protect, you will wear a helmet" is pretty good. Recently a lovely senior rider told me another one and gave me permission to use it in my column: "If you love to feel the wind blowing through your hair, don't just take off your helmet, take off your pants too." First one to guess who said it must be smart enough to wear their helmet.