AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION ACTION ALERT Dear Texas AQHA Members: The text of the bill reads "A child may not engage in, and a parent or legal guardian of the child may not knowingly or recklessly permit the child to engage in, bull riding, including engaging in bull riding outside a rodeo for the purpose of practicing bull riding, unless the child is wearing a bull riding helmet and a protective vest.” The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sports medicine program has been engaged for a number of years with NASA, the Aerospace Medical Department at the UT Medical Branch at Galveston, the CDC in Atlanta and other organizations discussing and studying concussion and the accelerations encountered during rough stock rodeo events - specifically translational (XYZ axis G-loading) and angular (degrees per second) movement. Their preliminary findings indicate extreme head movement in bull riding and especially bareback riding. Although the protective vest has proven its effectiveness over many years of application - helmets, especially on bareback riders- may provide an additional load and potential for injury to the competitor. These findings indicate the need to "unload" the head and neck during riding and the additional of weight (helmet) to the superior head/neck lever (skull on the cervical spine) may cause more severe injuries than it may prevent in bareback and possibly saddle bronc riding. More study and collection of research data is indicated and recommended by PRCA. This bill has passed the Senate and testimony on the bill was heard by the Texas House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee on Monday. Please contact your local Texas State Representative to voice either your support or opposition to Senate Bill 2505. To determine who represents you in the Texas House of Representatives and get their contact information, click here. You received this e-mail because you requested to receive all e-mail from AQHA. If you would like to change this setting, please login to the Member Services area at www.AQHAmembers.com using your member ID and PIN and choose Change E-mail Address. American Quarter Horse Association |
