Revised Sept. 16 — Alberta’s 4-H is considering mandatory riding helmets for participants on horseback during 4-H events.
The youth organization, according to the provincial government, is specifically weighing whether to require a “properly fitted” and ASTM/SEI- (American Society for Testing and Materials Safety Equipment Institute) or BSI- (British Standards Institution) approved equestrian helmet to be worn by those taking part in mounted 4-H events.
In a newsletter Thursday, the provincial agriculture and rural development department cited data from the American Academy of Pediatrics which found 20 per cent of injuries in young riders are to the central nervous system.
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Most of those injuries are in the form of cerebral contusions, concussions or skull fractures, the province said.
The province’s statement didn’t provide data about injuries to 4-H members on horseback.
CORRECTION FROM SOURCE, Sept. 16: An earlier version of this article quoted the province’s “Agri-News” newsletter as saying Alberta 4-H would make riding helmets mandatory effective Oct. 1. The Alberta 4-H Council is in fact considering such a requirement but “at this time there is no such policy in effect,” the province said in a correction issued later Thursday.
