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Post by rodeocowboy1202 on Dec 2, 2005 19:47:39 GMT -5
I see more and more riders switching to the helmet. I want to know yalls views one bull riding head wear...helmet or hat?
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Post by cowgirl4life30 on Dec 2, 2005 20:16:17 GMT -5
Well considering I just did a research paper on this topic. Yes, I think the helmet is a good thing. However, the changes won't be made with the PBR.. they need to be changed at the younger ages so that riders get used to riding with one from the beginning of their career. Also, the helmets out now aren't exactly the best for the sport but they are better than nothing (unless a rider already has neck problems). What sickens me is that they don't require helmets in high school rodeos. That is absolutely crazy, most HS sports take precautions to make it safer for athletes. All and all, I think helmets are a good thing but don't necessarily thinkg they should be required.
I won't even get on the soap box about all the studies done about concussions and the serious impact that they can have on an athlete.
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Post by CThrash13 on Dec 2, 2005 22:45:32 GMT -5
Well, I've been vocal about this in the past, so I'll just continue with my opinion. If I was running the PBR or any bull riding organization, it would be mandatory to ride with a helmet. I know a lot of traditionalists disagree, but that's just my opinion. Helmets only help things as far as I'm concerned. However, the helmets need to be implemented at a younger age, so the riders are used to them by the time they arrive in the PBR or PRCA. I'm all for the helmets. I understand it's the rider's choice, but a lot of guys didn't like wearing the vests at first, and they have worked out just fine from what I've seen. It would be tough at first, but it would be well worth it. There is no telling how many injuries every year would be stopped if all the riders were wearing helmets. Lastly, I'm no bull riding genius, so take my opinions with a grain of salt if you want. I just call it like I see it.  |
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milo
Humps N Horns
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Post by milo on Dec 3, 2005 10:31:21 GMT -5
I think what happened to Mike Lee is a good argument FOR helmets. I know a lot of the guys don't like them, but what good is a shot at all that $$$ if you're no longer around, or a vegetable due to an accident? I'm no bull riding genius either, but I know if it was my youngun (or spouse, or significant other) on the back of a bull, I'd want him to be protected.
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Post by TNBullRidinGirl on Dec 3, 2005 11:03:10 GMT -5
Hmm....I think helmets are a smart thing but some guys just might have different opinions about them. I totally agree 100% with everything that Cody said lol and I'm with Milo, too- I sure know if I was dating a bull rider I would want him to wear a helmet.
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Post by csb on Dec 3, 2005 13:41:07 GMT -5
I agree but disagree because the helemt also put him in a bad spot on one occasion - a horn got stuck in the face cage and it was a pretty nasty wrecks.
I dont like helmets. I'll leave itat that.
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Post by TNBullRidinGirl on Dec 3, 2005 20:22:39 GMT -5
I didn't even think about that one Cody....that is very true.
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Post by cowgirl4life30 on Dec 3, 2005 21:07:23 GMT -5
Yeah but I bet that wasn't a helmet specifically designed for bull riding... the helmets on the market now are all converted helmets originally made for other sports. I have heard news that some english riding helmet companies are looking into designing helmets for bull riding. If that happens it should be interesting to see what they come up with.
I think a company could make a killing if they put the money into researching and designing a helmet for bull riding.
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Post by twinpinesmt on Dec 3, 2005 22:06:19 GMT -5
I think helmets are a good idea, but Im all for tradition. The riders know what they are getting into and what could happen. It is their choice if they want to wear one or not. On another note, if bullrider are required to wear helmets(I hope that never happens) why wouldnt they make broke riders do the same thing, and then the timed event people too?  ? |
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Post by onehotcowboy on Dec 3, 2005 22:29:26 GMT -5
Well, Im ready for some crap on this one. But...maybe we should get some nice puffy pillow soft coverings for there hooves, and knock off all there horns. Get some nice soft rubber chutes, and fencing. And DEFINETLY, only get well behaved bulls...you know...the ones that wont come after you !!!! Im sure that would really draw the crowd, and then bullriding wouldnt be the most dangerous sport. Alright...enough of me being a wise-ass. I cant speak for everyone here, but as a former rodeo participant, the DANGER is what drew me to the sport. If it was easy, and not scary....EVERYONE would, or could do it. I love the danger part of it, yeah it sucked getting hurt, but the feeling you get when you dont.....like when the bulls feet are dancing all around your head and or body as you lay underneath him....when he picks you up with his head or horns, and throws ya in the air.... or when you grab the horns and make some rounds with a bull that wants to eat your a$$....its rather exhilarating, knowing you just CHEATED DEATH or severe INJURY. I have to admit, I still love to see the wrecks, if there wasnt any ever....I wouldnt care to watch....BUT....thats just me, coming from a former participants view.........
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Post by TNBullRidinGirl on Dec 4, 2005 0:53:08 GMT -5
LOL BC...I'll agree, the danger part of it does make it exciting. Lately, I've had to hear my dad's friends complaining and saying that you could pull the bull around the aren by the ear and it won't do anything to you lol. I'll admit I do like to go to rodeos with really rank bulls and someone get hurt....they're just better to watch that way.
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Mike_LeeFan
Challenger Tour
When I ride, I have to be ready to die that day. That's the way I have to ride, to just be free.-ML
Posts: 234
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Post by Mike_LeeFan on Dec 4, 2005 1:57:53 GMT -5
I think helmets are a great thing and if Mike wasn't wearing one he would of never been a world champ and wouldn't be alive. I believe it is also up to the rider. i don't think it should be forced that they wear one. it's just like riding a bike u should wear a helmet but most don't. if they made it mandatory for bull riders to wear a helmet then u would have to wear one in all the other rodeo events. i believe they are great and save lives but i don't think they should be forced to wear them and that it should be the riders choice.
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Post by cowgirl4life30 on Dec 4, 2005 14:52:36 GMT -5
BC how does wearing a helmet make the sport less dangerous? You can still get hurt with a helmet on but at least you are protecting the most important organ you have... YOUR BRAIN!
When I was doing my research for my paper I found a lot of interesting articles and many people (including Dr. Tandy) think helmets will become the norm because they will cut down injuries and injury recovery times and therefore be better for a guy to ride and/or win money. Many people think helmets will become main stream in the same way vests did. A lot of guys will notice how they reduce injuries and amount of time/money lost by not wearing them. Remember, nobody wanted to wear the vest until they saw the vest protect a rider (whom got stomped on) from serious injury. Instead the rider walked away with hardly a scratch on him.
The main reason most guys won't wear a helmet is because the added weight effects their riding. That is why I say the young HS age guys will have to start it. Michael Gaffney tried the helmet when Brent was killed but stopped because it through off his riding and he kept getting bucked off... not because of tradition or the danger. Sure the danger is exciting but I don't think any of these guys want to die.
I am not saying helmets should be required (vests aren't in the pros) but I do think more guys should wear them. I don't think timed event riders should have to wear them... they rarely get hurt in comparison. 87.61%of all injuries in the Justin Sportsmedicine 15-yr study come from bronc and bull riding. Steer wrestling accounts for 8.37%, 3.06% for calf wrestling, and .96% for team roping. In the PBR alone 45.4% of all injuries in 2005 (not including finals) were head/neck injuries. Almost half off all the injuries could have been avoided by wearing a helmet. Do you know much down time that would have saved a lot of these guys? If you compete in a sport where you don't get paid unless you compete/win then you would think you'd want to limit the amount of time you're sitting out injured.
Alright, stepping off my soap box for now, but I warn you i have 38 pages worth of this type of research there is plenty more that I could add.
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Post by csb on Dec 4, 2005 15:50:10 GMT -5
The only two neck injuries I suffered were because of helmets. Granted, helmets have become lighter in weight since then, but I wont put another one on.
The vests dont take away periphrial vison, create that cluastrophobic feeling, and they dont rasie your center of gravity.
If you like the helmet, wear it. If you dont, dont wear it. You signed on the line acknowledging that bull ridng is a dangerous sport.
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Post by csb on Dec 4, 2005 16:37:02 GMT -5
I should add that Im not against people wearing helmets, but I am against mandating them.
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