You’ve seen those commercials talking about replacing your mattress after every eight years—after all, that’s a lot of dead skin cells, dirt, dust mites, etc., that gathers every night. And when it comes to your favorite pair of riding pants, you don’t think twice about replacing them when they’re starting to be wear thin. But do you even think about how old your riding helmet is?

Go ahead—take a moment to find your helmet and look at the tags inside.

Could you see the date? Or is it so faded you can’t tell if that’s a three or an eight? Can you remember when you purchased it? It might just be time to buy a new helmet.

As the seventh annual Riders4Helmets International Helmet Awareness Day, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 17, approaches, the organizers applaud those riders who don’t think twice about putting on a helmet before swinging their leg over a horse