Highway Traffic Act
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h08_e.htm#BK245
Horse-riders, helmets and footwear
104.1 (1) No person under the age of 18 years shall ride or be mounted on a horse on a highway unless that person has and is correctly using the following equipment in the manner that it was
designed to be used:
1. A helmet that complies with the requirements under the Horse Riding Safety Act,
2001.
2. Footwear that complies with the requirements under the Horse Riding Safety Act, 2001. 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Exception
(2)Paragraph 2 of subsection (1) does not apply to a person equipped with properly functioning and sized hooded stirrups, safety stirrups designed to prevent the rider’s foot from passing through or becoming wedged in the stirrups, or stirrups designed to break away when the rider falls from the horse. 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Duty of parent or guardian
(3)No parent or guardian of a person under the age of 16 years shall authorize or knowingly
permit the person to ride or be mounted on a horse on a highway in contravention of subsection (1). 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Rider to identify self
(4)A police officer who finds any person contravening subsection (1) may require that person to stop and to provide identification of himself or herself. 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Same
(5)Every person who is required to stop, by a police officer acting under subsection (4), shall stop
and identify himself or herself to the police officer. 2001, c. 4, s. 4
Same
(6)For the purposes of this section, giving one’s correct name and address is sufficient
identification. 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Same
(7)A police officer may arrest without warrant any person who does not comply with subsection (5). 2001,
c. 4, s. 4.
Approaching ridden or driven horses, etc.
167.Every person having the control or charge of a motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle on a highway, when approaching a horse or other animal that is drawing a vehicle or being driven, led or ridden, shall operate, manage and control the motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle so as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of the horse or other animal and to ensure the safety and protection of any person driving, leading or riding upon the horse or other
animal or being in any vehicle drawn by the horse or other animal. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 167.
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h08_e.htm#BK245
Horse-riders, helmets and footwear
104.1 (1) No person under the age of 18 years shall ride or be mounted on a horse on a highway unless that person has and is correctly using the following equipment in the manner that it was
designed to be used:
1. A helmet that complies with the requirements under the Horse Riding Safety Act,
2001.
2. Footwear that complies with the requirements under the Horse Riding Safety Act, 2001. 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Exception
(2)Paragraph 2 of subsection (1) does not apply to a person equipped with properly functioning and sized hooded stirrups, safety stirrups designed to prevent the rider’s foot from passing through or becoming wedged in the stirrups, or stirrups designed to break away when the rider falls from the horse. 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Duty of parent or guardian
(3)No parent or guardian of a person under the age of 16 years shall authorize or knowingly
permit the person to ride or be mounted on a horse on a highway in contravention of subsection (1). 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Rider to identify self
(4)A police officer who finds any person contravening subsection (1) may require that person to stop and to provide identification of himself or herself. 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Same
(5)Every person who is required to stop, by a police officer acting under subsection (4), shall stop
and identify himself or herself to the police officer. 2001, c. 4, s. 4
Same
(6)For the purposes of this section, giving one’s correct name and address is sufficient
identification. 2001, c. 4, s. 4.
Same
(7)A police officer may arrest without warrant any person who does not comply with subsection (5). 2001,
c. 4, s. 4.
Approaching ridden or driven horses, etc.
167.Every person having the control or charge of a motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle on a highway, when approaching a horse or other animal that is drawing a vehicle or being driven, led or ridden, shall operate, manage and control the motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle so as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of the horse or other animal and to ensure the safety and protection of any person driving, leading or riding upon the horse or other
animal or being in any vehicle drawn by the horse or other animal. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 167.
Why sit tall in the saddle? Why keep your chin up?
For every inch that the head moves forward in posture, it increases the weight of the head on the neck by 10 pounds!
For every inch that the head moves forward in posture, it increases the weight of the head on the neck by 10 pounds!
Back in 2010 when Courtney King-Dye was injured, many of us in Ontario Canada felt compelled to wear a helmet even though we were showing FEI Level. It was to show our support for Courtney, and it also really hit home to all of us as professionals that it could have happened to us just as easily.
This photo is of my mare, who to this day had NEVER reared. I was in the middle of a canter pirouette in the Prix St. George and she reared straight up. Had I not been wearing a helmet, I would probably not be here today. Although she hit me in the
side of the head, my helmet saved me, and I kept my wits about me enough to ride out the rear. My mare is literally standing on one toe in this picture, and could have easily flipped over backward. It took me four months to even look at this photo.
The culprit? A saddle fitter who had broken the point off my saddle just before the show. I had no idea that this had happened until I got down to the root of the problem. She has never reared on me since. I continue to wear a helmet on ANY horse I ride, and advocate to my students that
they too should be wearing a helmet when they tack up.
This photo is of my mare, who to this day had NEVER reared. I was in the middle of a canter pirouette in the Prix St. George and she reared straight up. Had I not been wearing a helmet, I would probably not be here today. Although she hit me in the
side of the head, my helmet saved me, and I kept my wits about me enough to ride out the rear. My mare is literally standing on one toe in this picture, and could have easily flipped over backward. It took me four months to even look at this photo.
The culprit? A saddle fitter who had broken the point off my saddle just before the show. I had no idea that this had happened until I got down to the root of the problem. She has never reared on me since. I continue to wear a helmet on ANY horse I ride, and advocate to my students that
they too should be wearing a helmet when they tack up.