Quote Originally Posted by Bad JuJu View Post
Sounds like you should send the letter not only to the shop owner, but also to the local newspaper.
Oh I plan on it. I might tweak it a bit but in rereading it doesn't sound nearly as angry as I am. Every parent watching that parade with their children should be angry. The nice part is that I write and photograph for that paper so it could be a benefit or a detriment.

In Oregon there is helmet law for children I believe 16 and under. I know everyone gets all huffy about being mandated to do things, but not everyone is a great parent and sometimes the law has to step in to protect children. There are plenty of laws about how you should treat your kids, don't see this as any different.

In 4-H kids are required to wear helmets for equestrian projects. I think the rules there are a little crazy. Requiring a helmet to brush and saddle your horse is a bit much. I've been kicked, several times despite taking numerous safety precautions, but never in the head.

Even high school rodeo is requiring rough stock riders to wear helmets. I've read a lot of comments in the PRCA and PBR about how the next generation of rough stock riders are, for the most part, still wearing helmets in the pro ranks. Scary thing about that is there are no regulations, no governing bodies approving those helmets. I don't wear one bullriding because they are, in my eyes, very unsafe. They're essentially a batting helmet with a face mask. They're heavy and cause balance issues, and I imagine a lot of strain on the neck. Further they are not designed to break on impact which is kind of the point of a helmet. While they may offer some protection if you were to get stepped on, I can almost imagine them making things worse.

*sigh* Rant over. Can't complain unless I start to push for a helmet law...