A Critical Review of Horse-Related Risk: A Research Agenda for Safer Mounts, Riders and Equestrian Cultures.
Abstract: While the importance of improving horse-related safety seems self-evident, no comprehensive study into understanding or reducing horse-related risk has been undertaken. In this paper, we discuss four dimensions of horse-related risk: the risk itself, the horse, the rider and the culture in which equestrian activities takes place. We identify how the ways in which risk is constructed in each dimension affects the applicability of four basic risk management options of avoidance, transference, mitigation and acceptance. We find the acceptance and avoidance of horse-related risk is generally high, most likely due to a common construction of horses as irrevocably unpredictable, fearful and dangerous. The transference of risk management is also high, especially in the use of protective technologies such as helmets. Of concern, the strategy least utilised is risk mitigation. We highlight the potential benefit in developing mitigation strategies directed at: (a) improving the predictability of horses (to and by humans), and (b) improving riders' competence in the physical skills that make them more resilient to injury and falls. We conclude with the presentation of a multidisciplinary agenda for research that could reduce accident, injury and death to horse-riders around the world.
Publication Date: 2015-07-17 PubMed ID: 26479374PubMed Central: PMC4598694DOI: 10.3390/ani5030372Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article focuses on evaluating and reducing horse-related risks that pose a threat to both the horse and the rider within various equestrian cultures. The study analyzes the four dimensions of horse-related risk and focuses on developing risk management strategies to enhance safety, particularly risk mitigation.
Analysis of Horse-Related Risk
- The authors conduct an in-depth examination of horse-related risk, divided into four dimensions: the inherent risk, the horse, the rider, and the larger equestrian culture.
- These dimensions are analyzed to understand how risks are constructed within each scope and how this information influences the choice of risk management strategies which can be avoidance, transference, mitigation, or acceptance.
Identification of Common Attitudes and Responses
- The study observes that there’s generally a high acceptance and avoidance of horse-related risk, attributing this to the common perception of horses being inherently unpredictable, fearful, and dangerous creatures.
- There’s a notable prevalence of risk transference strategies such as the use of safety equipment like helmets to protect riders from potential harm.
Concerns about Underutilized Risk Mitigation
- The research expresses concern over the fact that risk mitigation strategies are the most overlooked. It emphasizes the importance of risk mitigation when dealing with horse-related risks.
- The authors argue that the development of risk mitigation strategies will greatly benefit rider and horse safety.
- Such strategies could involve improving the predictability of horse behavior for humans and increasing rider competency in physical skills that could help avoid injuries and falls.
Multidisciplinary Approach to Research
- In conclusion, the authors propose a multidisciplinary research agenda aimed at reducing accidents, injuries, and fatalities associated with horsemanship worldwide.
- This approach, the authors suggest, has the potential to bring significant change to the ways in which horse-related risks are managed and reduced.
Cite This Article
APA
Thompson K, McGreevy P, McManus P.
(2015).
A Critical Review of Horse-Related Risk: A Research Agenda for Safer Mounts, Riders and Equestrian Cultures.
Animals (Basel), 5(3), 561-575.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani5030372 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Appleton Institute, Central Queensland University, 44 Greenhill Road, Wayville, SA 5034, Australia. kirrilly.thompson@cqu.edu.au.
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. paul.mcgreevy@sydney.edu.au.
- School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. phil.mcmanus@sydney.edu.au.
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