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On June 24, 2008, the Wellington Council passed Ordinance 2008-13 requiring equine riders younger than 16 years of age to wear a helmet while riding on public property in an effort to decrease the number of serious or fatal head injuries. The parent or legal guardian of any rider in violation of this ordinance may be issued a citation that will carry a $25.00 fine.
The ordinance began as a proposed state law named after Nicole Hornstein, a 12-year-old Loxahatchee girl who died after falling off a horse in June, 2006. After unsuccessfully lobbying for a statewide horse helmet law in the legislature, the Hornstein family began urging local communities to pass resolutions or ordinances supporting the bill. Since that time, many local communities, such as Plantation, Davie and Parkland, have passed similar legislation within their municipalities.
Today, Senator Dave Aronberg and Representative Joseph Abruzzo are introducing legislation in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives respectively to enhance the safety of children involved in equine activities. Senator Aronberg is proposing this bill for the second legislative session. It was passed last year in the House, but was not considered by the full Senate.
The "Nicole Hornstein Act" would require minors under 16 years of age to wear helmets when riding equines in certain locations; provides helmet requirements; requires persons renting or leasing equines for riders under the specified age to provide a helmet if the rider does not have one; prohibits a parent or guardian of a minor under 16 from authorizing or permitting a minor to engage in certain conduct; provides criminal penalties; and also provides exceptions.
