Riding helmets are for everyone!

In New York State, helmets are now required by law for those under age 18 (see stature below). At Natural Horse Lover Farm, we require everyone to wear a helmet, all ages, all experience levels, students, clinicians, I really mean it, everyone with no exceptions, none. I believe that wearing a helmet is a wise choice that could save your life and we are all about safety and being sensible. Accidents happen, I have seen them, freaky weird things happen. If you are concerned about looks and being cool, get over yourself. Plus, please know that the industry has so many choices for both English and Western riders that you should be able to find something attractive and safe anyway. Why are we so strict on this subject? The simple fact is that we love you and want you safe, happy, and having fun, not bruised, damaged, and laying in a hospital bed. Barns are fun, hospitals not so much.

So, have you checked your riding helmet lately? How old is it? Did you ever fall in it? Does is even fit you properly? Is it an ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials)/SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) approved model? This week's task is to assess your riding helmet and all issues revolving around equestrian helmet safety. To help, I have listed several resources below (thank you Troxel Performance Headgear).

Troxel Safety Center 
Helmet Evaluation Quiz
Helmet Facts
Helmet Myths
Proper Fitting Helmets
Helmet Safety Certification Facts
Helmet Advisor 
What is ASTM/SEI?

Companies Manufacturing Approved Helmets
Troxel - *Manufacturers only approved helmets. 
International Helmets
Australian Holdings
Charles Owens & Co. Ltd.
Lexington Safety Products, Inc.
Equine Science Marketing, Ltd.
Del Mar Helmet Co., Inc.

If you haven't seen the video (required watching for 4H programs) entitled "Every Time, Every Ride" check it out.

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Bill S2007-2013

Requires that persons less than eighteen years of age wear a helmet when riding a horse; imposes a $250 fine for any violation.  

S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K S. 2007 A. 1890 2013-2014 Regular Sessions S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y (PREFILED) January 9, 2013

 IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered print- ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transporta- tion

IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE, SWEENEY, RAIA, MONTESANO, LOSQUADRO, FINCH -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BOYLAND, BRENNAN, GOTTFRIED, MARKEY, McKEVITT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation

AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the general business law, in relation to requiring that persons less than eighteen years of age wear a helmet when riding a horse

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1 Section 1. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 1265 of the vehicle and
2 traffic law, as added by chapter 455 of the laws of 1999, are amended to
3 read as follows:
4 1. No person less than [fourteen] EIGHTEEN years of age shall ride a
5 horse unless such person is wearing a helmet meeting or exceeding ASTM
6 F1163 (Safety Equipment Institute certified) Equestrian Standard. For
7 purposes of this section, "certified" shall mean that the helmet's
8 manufacturer agrees to the rules and provisions of a system that
9 includes independent testing and quality control audits, and that each
10 helmet manufactured by such manufacturer is permanently marked with the
11 certifying body's registered mark or logo before such helmet is sold or
12 offered for sale. For the purposes of this section, wearing a helmet
13 means having a helmet fastened securely upon the head using the manufac-
14 turer's fitting guidelines for the particular model used.
15 2. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall pay a
16 civil fine not to exceed TWO HUNDRED fifty dollars. A police officer
17 shall only issue a summons for a violation of this section by a person

EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD03504-01-3 S. 2007 2 A. 1890

1 less than [fourteen] EIGHTEEN years of age to the parent or guardian of
2 such person if the violation by such person occurs in the presence of
3 such person's parent or guardian and where such parent or guardian is
4 eighteen years of age or more. Such summons shall only be issued to such
5 parent or guardian, and shall not be issued to the person less than
6 [fourteen] EIGHTEEN years of age.
7 S 2. Subdivisions 2 and 4 of section 396-dd of the general business
8 law, as added by chapter 455 of the laws of 1999, are amended to read as
9 follows:
10 2. Every horse provider shall provide protective helmets to beginning
11 riders and to riders less than [fourteen] EIGHTEEN years of age at no
12 cost beyond the rental fee; offer all riders the use of such protective
13 helmets regardless of their age or experience; and provide appropriate
14 helmet safety information to all riders.
15 4. A knowing violation of this section shall be subject to a civil
16 penalty not to exceed TWO HUNDRED fifty dollars for each such violation.
17 S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.