I'm surprised there aren't helmet laws for horses. Getting thrown off a horse is no joke, potentially fatal, so shouldn't there be at least some laws regarding safety? Sorry for the loss too.

Kids legally have to wear helmets on bikes and on horses. Adults on neither but it's a good idea.

Logically, we should all be wearing helmets when we drive a car or walk on streets/trails where there are cars, bikes or horses. Think of how many lives might be saved.

I think the risk of fatal head injury from riding a horse (or bike) is probably much greater, percentage-wise, than walking or riding in a car (which has seatbelts and airbags).

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I wonder how they came to the conclusion that the horse was running 40MPH? I think Kentucky Derby horses run about 43 MPH. It's a moot point as the end result was a terrible tragedy, condolences to her family. Very sad.

Possibly, but bikes and horses can't go 100mph+. Also,we shouldn't ignore opportunities for massive life savings simply because percentage wise, it's not at the top. By sheer total numbers, I would wager a healthy bet that drivers lives saved would be at the top of that list.

My condolences to the family for their loss and the horse. Tragic all around.

Back in the day growing up, I rode a horse almost daily for 26 years, and I admit without a helmet given it was not common at all back then unless you were doing steeple chase. In fact, my horse spent his last few years at the ranch mentioned in the article off Page Mill and Deer Creek roads when I moved to Palo Alto. But we never rode on streets or in built up areas where the chances of a horse being spooked is serious an which can result in the rider being thrown. Moreover riding on payment is extremely hazardous for a shod horse with metal shoes given they can easily slip.
Helmet or not, there are plenty of ways to be seriously hurt, paralyzed or die from falling of a horse that a helmet will not protect.

In my 26 years of riding, I was fortunate to have never been thrown or fallen of my horse. I credit this to having a very good riding instructor (when I was 10) and the fact that she made me learn to balance and ride bareback before moving to a saddle. In fact saddles and stirrups can be lethal if not properly used. She also taught us to be on guard for what horses can be spooked by and dangerous riding conditions. Regardless, I would definitely wear a helmet now. And make no mistake, horseback riding can be very dangerous--much more dangerous than bike riding since it involves controlling a large animal with a mind of it's own.

BTW, my horse really loved the ranch there off of Page Mill. And it makes for such a scenic entry into Palo Alto to see horses in the hills.