How to get western riders to wear helmets?

[Madeline]

The point I’m trying to make is that when (not if) the first sanctioning body for any equestrian sport loses that giant liability lawsuit, the other sanctioning bodies ignore that result at their peril. Doesn’t matter if it’s USEF or AQHA or NRHA. Once the precedent is set, the others will fall into line voluntarily. Then if you want to compete in the US, you will be wearing an approved helmet.

When Indy cars or Formula 1’s mandate some bit of serious safety equipment (like, but not limited to, a helmet) can NASCAR be far behind?

[wonderhorseguy]

Perhaps this statement would make more sense if you said sue AQHA instead of sue USEF. As has been stated several times the vast majority of western riders have nothing to do with USEF, so the chance of USEF being sued by a western rider is very small. Making statements which are blatantly incorrect makes it difficult to take the rest of the statement seriously.

[Madeline]

Did it occur to you that AQHA western riders are not the only ones without helmets? I’m looking at the saddleseat riders, and those who show breeds (Arabs, Morgans, Paints, etc.) in western tack. It doesn’t really matter who gets sued first, or what kind of tack (or hat) they wear. Do you really think that AQHA will allow helmetless competition after NRHA or USEF loses a big lawsuit? Do you think they’re that stupid?

[MyssMyst]

Then maybe it’s time to have riders sign waivers saying they understand the risks of riding without a helmet when they show.

Honestly folks, worry about what is on your head, not what is on everyone else’s heads. I promise the more you try to foist your viewpoint off on others, the more you turn them off your viewpoint.

[Madeline]

Waivers just make the organizers feel good. They hope you’ll believe that they hold legal weight…

[wonderhorseguy]

[QUOTE=Madeline;7874191]
Waivers just make the organizers feel good. They hope you’ll believe that they hold legal weight…[/QUOTE]

And these threads make the helmet Nazis feel good but do nothing to change somebody’s mind. Most people push back when they are criticised and belittled

AQHA, APHA, APHC, NRHA,NCHA,NRCHA,NSBA are the big boys of the western world. USEF does not count when you are talking numbers of western riders. I will worry about the changes from a lawsuit when it happens. The way people are carrying on riding of any kind will soon be considered too dangerous and be banned.

[KBC]

@wonderhorseguy;7876746

And these threads make the helmet Nazis feel good but do nothing to change somebody’s mind. Most people push back when they are criticised and belittled

Well it doesn’t make me feel good, and I am totally pro helmet, these threads just make me feel sad.

[bespotted]

I cant force anybody to wear a helmet, but I do encourage everyone to wear a helmet by offering helmet covers that look like cowboy hats, bowlers for dressage, or medium brims for carriage driving. I custom make each one. You choose color and brim size. Check them out at Hideahelmet.com
Thank you,
Latina Raville

[Rusty15]

Do I always wear a helmet? No. But I do want a new one especially for competition. While I don’t necessarily believe riders should be forced to wear helmets, I do know there is no legitimate reason not to. And to mock someone for wearing a helmet is one of the most obnoxious, ignorant, moronic things a person can do. All riders should take a moment to think if they really want to think about the impact on themselves, their families, and their horses if they were to suffer head trauma while riding. If you still think helmets are stupid, then you may just be a case of social darwinism at its finest.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Rusty15;8022482]
While I don’t necessarily believe riders should be forced to wear helmets, I do know there is no legitimate reason not to. … If you still think helmets are stupid, then you may just be a case of social darwinism at its finest.[/QUOTE]

These types of comments are exactly the type of comments that will NOT encourage a non-helmet-wearer to don one.

Everyone’s OPINION is legitimate; whether you agree with their OPINION or not.

For the record: I wear a helmet every single time I ride, and I ride Western 90% of the time.

[crosscreeksh]

[QUOTE=cutter99;7810100]
To quote a very wise man- “You can’t fix stupid”. I am a western rider and I wear a helmet every ride. If you are getting on one of my horses, you will wear a helmet or you won’t ride.

But, that is all I ever say about helmets. If someone asks, I will tell them why I wear one, but I don’t preach.[/QUOTE]

This!! With the advent of Western style helmets…maybe a trend will start…or not!! Maybe they think the horn prevents the need??

[La_Gringa]

I really think they should require it for kids… High School Rodeo, Barrel Racing etc… the risk is high when they are running so fast to come off.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=La Gringa;8029535]
I really think they should require it for kids… High School Rodeo, Barrel Racing etc… the risk is high when they are running so fast to come off.[/QUOTE]
Some states do…

[runNjump86]

[QUOTE=La Gringa;8029535]
I really think they should require it for kids… High School Rodeo, Barrel Racing etc… the risk is high when they are running so fast to come off.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely. Especially because these are kids we’re talking about, so even though the 17 year old thinks they know everything their parents are still technically making decisions for them. I can’t fathom putting a child on a horse without a helmet, let alone encouraging them to run full speed. Hell when I put my 6 year old niece on my bombproof gelding just to walk her around in the shed (too icy/cold outside) I made her wear a helmet.

A $35 helmet can prevent so many life threatening/life altering, why in the hell would a parent NOT insist their child wear one?!

[Heart_s_Journey]

Fla passed Nicole’s law that any rider 16 and under MUST wear a helmet. Of course, not all do. I admit I didn’t for many years, but now I do every time and I ride western and english.

A friend of mine, put it best. “Helmets save lives and unless you have designated who will change your diaper should you not die and have a head injury, wear a helmet.”

makes one think twice…

[beau159]

[QUOTE=runNjump86;8037136]

A $35 helmet can prevent so many life threatening/life altering, why in the hell would a parent NOT insist their child wear one?![/QUOTE]

The same parents who don’t make their kid wear their seatbelt in the car.
Or don’t make them wear a helmet while riding a bike … or 4 wheeler.
Or don’t make them wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding.

:rolleyes:

There are “all kinds” of parents.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Beverley;7810246]
In my experience, whether helmets or healthy eating or trying to convert someone from their religion to yours, leading by quiet example is the most effective tactic.[/QUOTE]

I think the helmetless should be required to finance their own TBI rehabs. That oughtta put a dent in their thinking…. correlated with the dent in their wallet.

I don’t care who decides to hurt themselves how so long as I’m not asked to finance it… while I’m doing my part to make my health care cheap via a helmet.

[sirbeastmom]

I’m an ex-English rider turned Western convert, and there have definitely been situations where my helmet has been received very very poorly.

I expect some good-natured ribbing when I wear my helmet to traditional Western events, but there have been times that my helmet wearing has been met with actual offense. I’ve been told I might as well be sticking up a middle finger to Western heritage and tradition if I wear my helmet. There have been a few instances where I was not allowed to participate if I insisted on wearing a helmet.

That said, MOST people don’t care if I wear my helmet or not, but there are some places and people that care a great deal.

Not sure how to change the minds of the people who see helmets as an insult to tradition…

[sirbeastmom]

I’m an ex-English rider turned Western convert, and there have definitely been situations where my helmet has been received very very poorly.

I expect some good-natured ribbing when I wear my helmet to traditional Western events, but there have been times that my helmet wearing has been met with actual offense. I’ve been told I might as well be sticking up a middle finger to Western heritage and tradition if I wear my helmet. There have been a few instances where I was not allowed to participate if I insisted on wearing a helmet.

That said, MOST people don’t care if I wear my helmet or not, but there are some places and people that care a great deal.

Not sure how to change the minds of the people who see helmets as an insult to tradition…

[Beverley]

[QUOTE=mvp;8043262]
I think the helmetless should be required to finance their own TBI rehabs. That oughtta put a dent in their thinking…. correlated with the dent in their wallet.

I don’t care who decides to hurt themselves how so long as I’m not asked to finance it… while I’m doing my part to make my health care cheap via a helmet.[/QUOTE]

I suppose your logic works if you are perfect in every way and can guarantee you will never be a burden to society.