Wellington Adopts Helmet Law

A bill that requires children under 16 to wear a safety helmet in Wellington, Fla., while riding a horse on public trails and roads has passed both the state’s House of Representatives and Senate. The bill becomes law on Oct. 1, 2008, and anyone caught breaking it will be fined. Parents of underage riders, or people who lease horses or provide riding instruction to kids are responsible for complying with the new law as well.

The initial legislation for the new helmet law was prompted by the parents of Nicole Hornstein, a 12-year-old girl from Palm Beach County, Fla., who died in 2006 after being thrown from a horse she was riding. She hit her head on pavement and was in a coma for 20 days before passing away. She was not wearing a helmet. The new law is named after her.

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Some Florida cities already have laws requiring minors to wear helmets when riding, but the Hornsteins hope to get all cities in their state to get similar laws on the books.

Also Read: New York passes stricter helmet laws for youth equestrians

16 years ago

Abigail Boatwright

Abigail Boatwright is a freelance writer and photographer based in Texas, and is the editor of Horse Illustrated’s sister publication, Western Life Today.

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View Comments

Anna says:
June 26, 2008 at 9:32 am
That's a good idea to always wear a helmet!
Jelena says:
June 26, 2008 at 1:26 pm
That is so sad about Nicole :(
This is a good idea, it should be like this everywhere. I must admit... I do every now and then jump bareback on my horse without a helmet, but I know it's not a good idea and would only dare on my mare.
Micky says:
June 26, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I agree its a great idea to wear a helment, but to make law is ridiculous. Before you know you'll only be able to ride certain days, certain tmes, certain amounts of time or some other ridiculous restriction. What ever happened to using your good ol' common sense and just learn from your mistakes?
Gesa says:
June 26, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Bravo!! Now, if all states could just require EVERYONE to wear helmets, riding would become so much safer!
s says:
June 26, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Excellent idea!
Nicole says:
January 28, 2015 at 6:36 pm
Why not make a law saying you have to wear pants and boots to ride in public? SO SICK OF SEEING STUPID PEOPLE PUT LITTLE CHILDREN ON 17 HH HORSES IN FLIP FLOPS AND SHORTS AND SAY THEY'RE SAFE BECAUSE THEY'RE WEARING A HELMET...