Helmets

["Mary C. Abbott" <mabbott@oro.net>]

No one yet has mentioned the protection helmets offer against those tree 
branches that seem to come out of no where when you're trotting at a good 
clip down the trail! (Unless, of course, you are a desert rider...) 
Doesn't have much to do with one's level of "horsemanship." (Though I am 
sure somebody is going to respond that it does. Ugh!) I agree with the 
other RC folks who have brought up the fact that yes, you may have the 
right to choose whether you wear a helmet, but we, unfortunately, as the 
rest of society, have no right to choose whether or not to pay your 
hospitalization or other ongoing care bills.  In one way or another, we 
get stuck with that no matter what.  (Let alone the issue of your family 
having to deal with however you are, for the rest of your life.) That's 
why I was for the California motorcycle helmet law.

To me, it's such a simple, obvious precaution to take, that I feel those 
who ride without helmets are actually being quite selfish, especially 
once they know the dangers of the sport. (I know that statement is going 
to generate some posts!) BTW, my Significant Other used to drive race 
cars, and believe me, he always wore a helmet doing that. (Seems that 
it's not even an issue with those "macho" race guys--you don't have to 
convince them of the need for helmets!) When he started riding, he went 
out and bought a Troxel helmet for himself, without my even asking him to 
do so! And he DOES wear it. Just had to point out, some guys do have 
common sense.  Ha!

Mary Abbott  (& the 3/4 Arab "always in heat" cranky mare, Mariah, who 
does look for low lying tree branches to suddenly swish under, except 
when on Regumate!)
Grass Valley, CA