Without question the 'daftest' thing I have heard a trainer say in a very long time came out of the mouth of one of the leading U.S.A. Western trainers, Linda Parelli. The reason apparently that Linda does not wear any kind of head protection when participating in one of the most dangerous sports for concussion/head injuries is because it would ' upset her balance.' Guess she isn't the rider she is cracked up to be?
She does also state that her husband Pat Parelli, who apparently doesn't worry over 'bad hair' will wear a cowboy hat, which of course provides protection only from the sun, agrees with their 'pro-choice' attitude when it comes to their students. Such wonderful leadership.
In New York State the bill recently enacted mandates that every rider under eighteen years of age must wear suitable head protection when mounted on a horse. Naturally this has caused an outcry amongst Western riders, who deem the barrel racing folks and other western riders should be free to make their own decisions. At our Delaware State Fair this August, a mother/wife was thrown from her horse around a turn barrel racing and airlifted to hospital with a major head injury. We all hear of such injuries every day. So why are Western riders so resistant to protecting their noggins.
Other folks that have suffered from concussions and associated head trauma from riding accidents that have been fortunate enough to live and walk, report permanent vertigo as a result of their injuries. So Mrs. Parelli, I guess if you are worried about a helmet affecting your balance, maybe you should think about that.
As trainers our students look to us to lead. I would love to see more ASTM helmets suitable for Western riders. Perhaps the Parelli's could help design one that would assuage their balance issues and not muss their hair? Seriously folks. Wake up. Because if you don't you may have a day when you fall from a horse and you never wake up again.
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