Im not writing this to be a helmet debate! Period.

A local association is making it a rule for any child under 12 MUST wear a helmet in order to compete. This comes after an accident where a child in lead line somehow ended up hung up under the horse and was kicked in the head. Thankfully she had a helmet on and was ok. 

So many people are complaining that they just won’t run there anymore and that this will scare off new members. Several say that it’s not the associations place to tell them what to do with their child. 

What would all yalls pinion be on this and it becoming a maditory rule? 

If the association is putting on the show, the association can make the rules.   The rest can either choose to attend, go somewhere else or stay home!   

I can see the associations point in that they are looking after the children and feel this is a good idea.  

I myself never put my kids on a pony/horse without a helmet until they were well into their teens.   I've got many examples where a helmet saved them from what could have been a very bad situation.

I know an association around here that has the same rule. If people dont like it they wont run with them. Also NY state law is 16 and under  mandatory helmet if im not mistaken.

I think this is a GREAT rule, its safety first in my opinion right along with NO Tennis shoes allowed while riding.  

I dont understand why this would even be a problem with parents that have children

The fact that PARENTS are mad about a rule that will protect THEIR CHILD shows exactly why the association should do it. It’s not much different than having to put your child in a car seat for their safety. But you don’t see people complaining about that.

That’s exactly what I said. It’s very sad to me at the amount of people saying they won’t be back because of it. It’s the child that will pay the price of their parents stupidity. 

Im pro helmet at any age but I do think when they become a teenager it should be up to them at that point. I promise you’d never see my child without one. Especially a small child. I personally don’t care how broke and bomb proof a horse is. Its still a horse and things happen. 

If I am not mistaken all Jr High and High School rodeo contestants have to wear a helmet in timed events and rough stock. For some reason this does not apply to local riding clubs. If someone does not like it they can go ride somewhere else. It is pretty common for many people including adults to where helmets. 

I think it’s a good idea. I started wearing a helmet this year (I’m 25) and wish I would have started many years ago! There’s a lot of things you can fix on a human, but your brain is not as easily fixable. I cringe when I see young children riding without a helmet, the risk is just not worth it in my eyes. 

Not true here in Iowa or based on what I saw attending Jr High Nationals this year.  Perhaps in roughstock, but not in the timed events.

Im personally a helmet wearer, including when I team rope.  I wear a hat when I breakaway at rodeos, at least on the horse I’m riding right now.  Even at ropings I’ve never heard a single comment.

Regarding the association - a lot of time, people are all talk and at the end of the day if they want to run they’ll be back.

How many does the rule actually affect?  How many under 12 are running and how many don’t already wear helmets?  Around here - you’d only be talking about a total of 4 or 5 kids on average.  

Helmets are not required in NHSRA, they are optional

Exactly

You just can't fix stupid

I am willing to bet it has to do with insurance... or easily could. I boarded where their agency switched policy and everyone under 16 had to wear one.

I personally dont have kids, but my neices ride and they wear helmets (I dont)... but I dont think it is unreasonable for the club to protect their butt... which is likley what is going on. Parents either dont ride there or get over it. I can understand not wanting to be told what to do ... but its also important to understand these producers liability.

If this happened and the association has to pay for event insurance they may require it. 

Growing up a lot of local arenas and associations had this rule. Many were 18 and under. I had a helmet for those events. Did I like it? Nope. Did I still go and enter and wear it? Yup. 

I don't understand why so many people are against a rule promoting safety.  I've never heard of anyone being caused an injury just because they had to wear a helmet.

Growing up riding English in the Netherlands all kids rode with a helmet. All the riding schools I knew had it as a rule that kids 16 and under had to wear a helmet. And since a couple of years everyone has to wear a helmet. No matter the age. 

As far as I know the only adults not having to wear a helmet are the people riding western, but that is a bery small percentage of people riding horses there.

Did I like it, nope. But we didn’t know any better, so we just did it. ( Or we did not ride...) 

You always have the simple choice.... have them wear a helmet and ride, or don’t go to that association..... and honeslty, I think it’s a good rule for kiddo’s... 

I'm a real supporter of helmets. If you hear of a serious injury or death from barrel racing, it's almost always from head injury.  If I had it to do over again, my kids would wear a helmet every time on a horse. 

I think the people who are grumbling about it are doing just that.  When it comes down to it, they'll be back, with their kids in helmets. 

I became the helicopter mom somewhat when I had my son. I started wearing a helmet myself because he needed me and I needed to protect myself. Now my son is 3 and has been on a horse maybe 4x walking with a hand on him. But as soon as he sits alone- he will have a helmet. It is like a car seat in a car. Safety first and foremost