Safety in horses encompasses practices, equipment, and protocols designed to prevent accidents and injuries to both horses and humans. It involves understanding equine behavior, proper handling techniques, and the use of protective gear. Safety measures include the correct fitting and use of tack, appropriate rider attire such as helmets and boots, and safe stable management practices. This topic also covers the design of equestrian facilities to minimize hazards and the implementation of emergency procedures. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of equine safety, including risk factors, preventive strategies, and the effectiveness of safety interventions in equestrian activities.
Ball CG, Ball JE, Kirkpatrick AW, Mulloy RH.Horseback riding is more dangerous than motorcycle riding, skiing, football, and rugby. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and injury patterns, as well as risk factors associated with severe equestrian trauma. Methods: All patients with major equestrian injuries (injury severity score > or = 12) admitted between 1995 and 2005 were reviewed. A 46-question survey outlining potential rider, animal, and environmental risk factors was administered. Results: Among 7941 trauma patients, 151 (2%) were injured on horseback (mean injury severity score, 20; mortality rate, 7%). In...
The Journal of traumaApril 7, 2007
Volume 62, Issue 3 735-739 doi: 10.1097/ta.0b013e318031b5d4
Mayberry JC, Pearson TE, Wiger KJ, Diggs BS, Mullins RJ.Equestrian injury is commonly seen at trauma centers and the severity of injury is often high. We sought to determine the risk, incidence, and the influence of skill and experience on injury during horse-related activity (HRA). Methods: Members of horse clubs and individual equestrians in a three-state region (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) were recruited via mailings and community advertisements to take a survey regarding their horse contact time and injuries over their entire riding career. Serious injury (SI) was defined by hospitalization, surgery, or long-term disability. Results: There w...
Ceroni D, De Rosa V, De Coulon G, Kaelin A.The aim of this study was to compile specific foot injuries occurring in pediatric patients that result from equestrian sports and to highlight the importance of wearing adequate riding boots to protect the feet. During a 12-year period, 258 children were admitted to Children's Hospital of Geneva for injuries resulting from horseback riding. Amongst these children, 8 sustained foot lesions that required hospital admission. Four children had compression-type fractures of the cuboid (nutcracker fracture of the cuboid) associated with other complex midfoot fractures, 2 had Lisfranc fracture dislo...
Orsini JA, Moate PJ, Kuersten K, Soma LR, Boston RC.The safety and pharmacokinetics of fentanyl, delivered transdermally at a dosage of 60-67 microg/kg, were investigated in six healthy adult horses. Three transdermal fentanyl patches (Duragesic), each containing 10 mg of fentanyl citrate, were applied to the mid-dorsal thorax of each horse and left in place for 72 h. Plasma fentanyl concentrations were periodically measured throughout this period and for 12 h after patch removal. After an initial delay of approximately 2 h, the plasma fentanyl concentration rose rapidly in a fairly linear fashion, reaching a peak at around 12 h; thereafter, it...
Caglar E, Sandalli N.An epidemiological survey was carried among pony and horseback riding children in nine pony and horseback riding clubs, Istanbul. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental trauma in young pony and horse riders. A total of 214 children were interviewed to determine the occurrence of dental trauma during pony and horseback riding. Some 2.3% of participants (n = 5) had already been affected by dental and orofacial trauma. Horse riders experienced dental and/or orofacial trauma significantly more than the pony riders. Results revealed that these children's awareness...
Hubbell JA, Muir WW.The ability to shorten the duration of sedation would potentially improve safety and utility of detomidine. Objective: To determine the effects of tolazoline and atipamezole after detomidine sedation. Objective: Administration of tolazoline or atipamezole would not affect detomidine sedation. Methods: In a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, descriptive study, detomidine (0.02 mg/kg bwt i.v.) was administered to 6 mature horses on 4 separate occasions. Twenty-five mins later, each horse received one of 4 treatments: Group 1 saline (0.9% i.v.) as a placebo control; Group 2 atipamezole...
Thomas KE, Annest JL, Gilchrist J, Bixby-Hammett DM.To characterise and provide nationally representative estimates of persons with non-fatal horse related injuries treated in American emergency departments. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) is a stratified probability sample comprising 66 hospitals. Data on injuries treated in these emergency departments are collected and reported. NEISS-AIP data on all types (horseback riding and otherwise) of non-fatal horse related injuries from 2001 to 2003 were analysed. Results: An estimated 102,904 persons with non-fatal horse related injuries (35...
Davis JL, Salmon JH, Papich MG.To determine pharmacokinetics, safety, and penetration into interstitial fluid (ISF), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs), and aqueous humor of doxycycline after oral administration of single and multiple doses in horses. Methods: 6 adult horses. Methods: The effect of feeding on drug absorption was determined. Plasma samples were obtained after administration of single or multiple doses of doxycycline (20 mg/kg) via nasogastric tube. Additionally, ISF, PMNLs, and aqueous humor samples were obtained after the final administration. Horses were monitored for adverse reactions. Results: Feeding ...
Taylor EL, Galuppo LD, Steffey EP, Scarlett CC, Madigan JE.To describe a sling recovery system (Anderson Sling) for horses and to evaluate outcome of high-risk horses recovered from general anesthesia by a sling. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (n=24) recovered from general anesthesia. Methods: Complete medical and anesthetic records (1996-2003) for horses recovered from general anesthesia using the Anderson Sling system were evaluated retrospectively. Information retrieved included anesthetic protocol, surgical procedure, recovery protocol, recovery time, and quality of the recovery. Horses were recovered from anesthesia supported by th...
Newton AM, Nielsen AM.The literature contains many studies on the types of injuries sustained in horseback riding incidents. Most advocate the use of equestrian helmets to prevent head trauma. However, information is limited on other specific prevention strategies. Methods: A 4-year, retrospective, and prospective review of medical records pertaining to horse-related injuries in a southwestern Colorado hospital yielded a sample of 85 patients who had been injured while riding or tending to horses. In addition to the record review, patients were interviewed during ED discharge, inpatient treatment, or in a follow-up...
Jäggin S, Fürst A, Hässig M, Auer J.The risk of injury to veterinarians treating horses is high, particularly when performing painful procedures. The present retrospective study investigated this risk, including the frequency and severity of kick injuries, by submitting questionnaires to 700 veterinary practitioners in Switzerland. Evaluation of 216 completed questionnaires revealed that the frequency of kick injuries was affected by the professional experience of the veterinarian, veterinarians being an owner of a horse, the season, the type of procedure, the percentage of equine patients in the practice population, the treatme...
Jagodzinski T, DeMuri GP.Horseback riding is an increasingly popular activity among today's youth, providing them with the opportunity to learn responsibility and respect for animals. However, it can also be associated with severe injury, of which many physicians are unaware. In 2002, there were an estimated 13,400 emergency department visits nationwide for horse-related injuries among children younger than 15 years. When using a severity score to compare it with other childhood injuries, equestrian-related injury ranked second only to pedestrians being struck by a car, and had a higher score than all terrain vehicle,...
Ueeck BA, Dierks EJ, Homer LD, Potter B.Studies of trauma patients have described patterns of injuries sustained from unfortunate encounters with large animals. However, the patterns of maxillofacial injuries have yet to be reported. The goal of this investigation was to describe and report on maxillofacial injuries that are associated with interaction with horses. Methods: Charts were selected from the trauma registry by E-code at a level 1 trauma center in Portland, OR. A retrospective review was performed on charts collected from the previous 5 years (1998-2002). Data were collected according to patient, pattern of injuries, and ...
Grubbs ST, Amodie D, Rulli D, Wulster-Radcliffe M, Reinemeyer C, Yazwinski T, Tucker C, Hutchens D, Smith L, Patterson D.The safety and efficacy of 2% moxidectin/12.5% praziquantel oral gel administered at a rate of 0.4 mg moxidectin and 2.5 mg praziquantel/kg was studied in client-owned horses under field use conditions. Four hundred horses (300 treated with moxidectin/praziquantel oral gel and 100 treated with vehicle) were enrolled, feces were collected, and eggs were counted. Investigators as well as horse owners were masked to treatment assignment. No adverse reactions to treatment were observed in any horses. Moxidectin/praziquantel gel reduced Anoplocephala spp by more than 99% and provided a significant ...
Kirkpatrick JF, Turner A.Despite a large body of safety data, concern exists that porcine zonae pellucidae (PZP) immunocontraception--used to manage wild horse populations--may cause out-of-season births with resulting foal mortality. Our study at Assateague, Maryland indicated the effects of immunocontraception on season of birth and foal survival between 1990 and 2002 on wild horses from Assateague Island. Among 91 mares never treated, 69 (75.8%) of foals were born in April, May, and June (in season). Among 77 treated mares, 50 (64.9%) were born in season. Of 29 mares foaling within 1 year after treatment (contracep...
Northey G.The aims of this study were to investigate the extent of equestrian injuries in New Zealand and provide a range of prevention interventions. Methods: An examination of New Zealand Health Information Service (NZHIS) morbidity data for 1993 to 2001 and mortality data for 1993 to 1999 was undertaken. Recent studies on equestrian injuries were evaluated. Results: NZHIS data indicated that as a result of horse-related injuries 5613 people were hospitalised between 1993 and 2001 and there were 16 fatalities between 1993 and 1999. Horse-related injuries were most prevalent in young females aged 10 to...
Lim J, Puttaswamy V, Gizzi M, Christie L, Croker W, Crowe P.Equestrian activities are associated with a high rate of injury. Attempts to reduce the incidence and severity of injury require accurate characterization of risk factors and pattern of injury. The present study was performed to analyse the injuries seen at an Australian centre where a large number of equestrian injuries present. Methods: Data were collected prospectively over a 3 year period on all equestrian injuries presenting to the Prince of Wales -Hospital complex. These data were compared against and combined with retrospectively collected data over the preceding 3 years at the same cen...
Roe JP, Taylor TK, Edmunds IA, Cumming RG, Ruff SJ, Plunkett-Cole MD, Mikk M, Jones RF.The objective of the present study was to determine the incidence of acute spinal cord injuries (ASCI) in all forms of horse riding in New South Wales (NSW) for the period 1976-1996. Other aims of the present study were to compare and contrast ASCI with vertebral column injuries (VCI) without neurological damage and to define appropriate safety measures in relation to spinal injury in horse-riding. Methods: A retrospective review was done of all ASCI cases (n = 32) admitted to the two acute spinal cord injury units in NSW for the cited period. A comparable review of VCI cases (n = 30) admitted...
Weese JS, Anderson ME, Lowe A, Monteith GJ.This study was designed to evaluate whether Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG), an extensively studied probiotic organism in humans, can colonize the intestines of adult horses and foals. Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG was administered to adult horses at doses of 1 x 10(9) CFU/50kg bodyweight (BW)/day (group 1, 7 horses), 1 x 10(10) colony forming units/ 50kg BW/day (group 2, 7 horses) and 5 x 10(10) colony forming units/50kg BW/day (group 3, 7 horses) for 5 d. Foals received 2 x 10(10) colony forming units/50kg BW/day (group 1, 7 foals) or 1 x 10(11) colony forming units/50kg BW/day (...
Turner M, McCrory P, Halley W.Professional horse racing is an exciting and demanding sport with high injury rates. Surprisingly few epidemiological studies have been published and no prospective studies have been reported. This paper reviews the literature and provides a detailed breakdown of injuries in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland for 1992-2000. The introduction of protective equipment is discussed and evidence for its effectiveness put forward.
Moss PS, Wan A, Whitlock MR.To describe the demographics and nature of injuries occurring on or around horses, to examine the nature of protective clothing in relation to these injuries, and to compare our data with previously published work in this area. Methods: Patients were identified using the term "sports injury-horse riding" from the departmental database for one calendar year from February 2000. Data were collected regarding demographics, injuries, protective clothing, and outcome. The data were then analysed and compared with the previously published literature. Results: 260 patients' records were analysed. The ...
Toutain PL, Lassourd V.The current performance of analytical techniques used for drug control in horses lead the Regulatory Authorities to decide whether trace levels of drugs legitimately used for therapeutic medication should or should not be reported. Here, we propose a well-ordered and nonexperimental pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic approach for the determination of irrelevant drug plasma (IPC) and urine concentrations (IUC). The published plasma clearance is used to transform an effective (marketed) dose into an effective concentration (EPC). EPC is transformed into an IPC by applying a safety factor (SF). This...
Holland AJ, Roy GT, Goh V, Ross FI, Keneally JP, Cass DT.To identify the frequency, spectrum and outcome of horse-related injuries in children. Methods: Retrospective case series of horse-related injuries in children admitted to the Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW) from January 1988 to December 1999, the John Hunter Children's Hospital (JHCH) from January 1991 to December 1997 and deaths reported to the New South Wales Paediatric Trauma Death (NPTD) Registry from January 1988 to December 1999. Methods: Circumstances of injury; helmet use; adult supervision; type and number of injuries identified. Results: 232 children were admitted with horse-r...
Gimsing S.A previous estimate has indicated that horse activities in Denmark account for about 5750 non-fatal and 1-2 fatal accidents every year. Many are preventable, as they are caused by carelessness. A description of the accident pattern is important. Methods: The European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System (EHLASS) has included data on horse-related accidents since 1989. All 8662 accidents in the period, 1989-1999, were studied. Death certificates from 11 fatal cases during the same period were obtained from the National Board of Health. Results: The annual total number of riding acciden...
Kirker-Head CA, Kirker-Head RP.Six healthy, adult female horses were administered five times the minimum maintenance dose of an oral low-molecular-weight chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine HCl, and manganese ascorbate chondroprotective agent (Cosequin; Nutramax Laboratories, Inc., Edgewood, MD) daily for 35 days. Hematology, serum biochemistry, and synovial fluid parameters were assessed twice prior to administering the product and again at the end of the treatment period. Physical examinations performed daily throughout the study showed no abnormal clinical changes attributable to the product. All hematologic parameters meas...
Fleming PR, Crompton JL, Simpson DA.The aim of this study was to highlight the neuro-ophthalmological dangers associated with horse riding, and working around horses, and the importance of wearing adequate headgear to protect the rider from neuro-ophthalmic injuries. It raises the questions of whether the current laws regarding helmet use are satisfactory, and whether helmets currently used are of an adequate standard. Methods: The records over a 20-year period of one neuro-ophthalmologist in Adelaide were reviewed producing 22 patients with neuro-ophthalmological sequelae of head injuries as a result of horse-related accidents....
Kennedy T, Campbell J, Selzer V.Ponazuril, a triazine-derivative compound, is proposed as a treatment for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis caused by Sarcocystis neurona. Ponazuril 15% oral paste was administered to 24 horses at 0, 10, or 30 mg/kg body weight for either 28 or 56 days, representing zero, two, and six times the proposed dosage rate and one and two times the recommended duration of treatment, respectively. Serum chemistry analysis, coagulation profile, and hematology measurements were performed weekly and necropsy evaluations, including histopathology, were conducted for all animals at the end of the study. Mi...
Gold JR, Grubb T, Court MH, Villarino NF.Acetaminophen is utilized in human infants for pain management and fever. Neonatal foals might benefit from administration of acetaminophen but effective and safe dosage regimens for neonatal foals remains to be determined. Unassigned: The objective was to determine the plasma pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen following oral administration of a single dose of 20 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg to neonatal foals. A secondary objective was to evaluate any changes in hematology and biochemistry profiles. Unassigned: Randomized study. Unassigned: Eight clinically healthy 7-9-day old Quarter Horse foals (3 c...
BRAYE ET, HINSMAN EJ, RILEY WF.No horse receiving combined streptokinase, streptodornase, and human plasminogen alone in either 125,000-unit or 375,000-unit doses manifested any clinical reaction. Untoward reactions occurred in 2 horses receiving both the combined streptokinase, streptodornase, and human plasminogen (125,000 units), and chlortetracycline. The reaction was transitory and subsided without treatment.
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, de Lourdes Bastos M, Christensen H, Dusemund B, Kouba M, Kos Durjava M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B....Yea-Sacc is an additive based on a live preparation of a strain of intended for use as a zootechnical additive (digestibility enhancer). The current assessment is performed in the context of the renewal of the authorisation of the feed additive; however, the applicant proposed also to lower (6.5 × 10 colony forming unit (CFU)/kg of complete feedingstuff) the minimum dose of the additive when used in feed for horses. The additive is produced in a powder (Yea-Sacc) and in a prills (Yea-Sacc_TS) forms. The Panel considered that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing ...
Yoxall AT.The principles of radiological protection are summarised and consideration is then given to problems, which may confront the equine practitioner, in the fulfillment of these principles during diagnostic radiography of the limbs, head, and spine of the horse. The place of anaesthesia in such procedures is discussed and the special problems associated with therapeutic radiography of the horse are considered.