A Cross-Sectional Study of Horse-Related Injuries in Veterinary and Animal Science Students at an Australian University.
Abstract: Specific estimates of the risk of horse-related injury (HRI) to university students enrolled in veterinary and animal sciences have not been reported. This study aimed to determine the risk of student HRI during their university education, the nature and management of such injuries. A retrospective questionnaire solicited demographic information, data on students' equine experience prior to and during their educational programs, and on HRI during their program of study. Of 260 respondents, 22 (8.5%) reported HRI (27 incidents). Including concurrent injuries the most commonly injured body parts were the foot or ankle (nine of 32 injures), the upper leg or knee (eight of 32), and hands (three of 32). Trampling and being kicked by a hind limb were each associated with 30.4% of HRI, and 13% with being bitten. Bruising (91.3% of respondents) and an open wound (17.4%) were most commonly described. No treatment occurred for 60.9% of incidents; professional medical treatment was not sought for the remainder. Most incidents (56.5%) occurred during program-related work experience placements. Although injury rates and severity were modest, a proactive approach to injury prevention and reporting is recommended for students required to handle horses as part of their education. Student accident and injury data should be monitored to ensure effective evaluation of risk-reduction initiatives. The risk and nature of university student horse-related injury (HRI) was studied. Of 260 students, 22 (8.5%) reported HRI (27 incidents). Including multiple injuries, reports described involvement of the foot or ankle (nine of 32 injures), upper leg or knee (eight of 32), and hands (three of 32). Trampling (30.4%) and being kicked (30.4%) accounted for most HRI. The injuries were usually bruising (91.3%) or an open wound (17.4%). Most (60.9%) injuries were untreated; professional medical treatment was not sought for the rest. Most incidents (56.5%) occurred during program-related off-campus work experiences. A proactive approach to injury prevention is recommended for students handling horses.
Publication Date: 2015-09-25 PubMed ID: 26479478PubMed Central: PMC4693196DOI: 10.3390/ani5040392Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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.
This research investigates the risk and nature of horse-related injuries (HRI) among students studying veterinary and animal science at an Australian university. Out of 260 students, 22 reported having experienced HRI incidents, with the most common injuries being bruising or an open wound, and majority of the incidents occurring during work experience placements.
Objectives of the study
- The study aims to determine the risk of horse-related injuries (HRI) among university students enrolled in veterinary and animal sciences.
- It seeks to understand the nature and treatment of such injuries, as well as the context in which they commonly occur.
Methodology
- The research uses a retrospective questionnaire to gather demographic information and data related to students’ equine experience both prior to and during their educational programs.
- The questionnaire also collects data on horse-related injuries suffered during their course of study.
Results
- Out of 260 respondents, 22 (or 8.5%) reported that they had suffered horse-related injuries, amounting to a total of 27 incidents.
- The injuries involved different body parts with the foot or ankle being most commonly injured, followed by the upper leg or knee, and hands.
- Main causes of injury were trampling and being kicked by a hind limb, each associated with 30.4% of HRI, and being bitten accounted for 13% of injuries.
- Most injuries resulted in bruising, affecting 91.3% of respondents, while 17.4% described having an open wound.
- Most incidents (60.9%) did not lead to any treatment, and professional medical treatment was not sought for the remainder.
- The majority of injuries (56.5%) occurred during students’ program-related work experience placements.
Recommendations
- The study suggests a proactive approach to injury prevention for students who are required to handle horses as part of their education.
- The authors recommend regular monitoring of student accident and injury data to evaluate the effectiveness of risk-reduction initiatives.
Cite This Article
APA
Riley CB, Liddiard JR, Thompson K.
(2015).
A Cross-Sectional Study of Horse-Related Injuries in Veterinary and Animal Science Students at an Australian University.
Animals (Basel), 5(4), 951-964.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani5040392 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Tennent Drive, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand. c.b.riley@massey.ac.nz.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia. jessicaliddiard23@gmail.com.
- Appleton Institute, Central Queensland University, Adelaide, SA 5034, Australia. kirrilly.thompson@cqu.edu.au.
References
This article includes 22 references
- Fleming P.R., Crompton J.L., Simpson D.A.. Neuro-ophthalmological sequelae of horse-related accidents.. Clin. Experiment. Ophthalmol. 2001;29:208–212.
- Lucas M., Day L., Fritschi L.. Injuries to Australian veterinarians working with horses.. Vet. Rec. 2009;164:207–209.
- Moss P.S., Wan A., Whitlock M.R.. A changing pattern of injuries to horse riders.. Emerg. Med. J. 2002;19:412–414.
- Cowley S., Bowman B., Lawrence M.. Injuries in the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry.. Br. J. Sports Med. 2007;41:639–643.
- Lucas M., Day L., Shirangi A., Fritschi L.. Significant injuries in Australian veterinarians and use of safety precautions.. Occup. Med. 2009;59:327–333.
- Fritschi L., Day L., Shirangi A., Robertson I., Lucas M., Vizard A.. Injury in Australian veterinarians.. Occup. Med. 2006;56:199–203.
- Fairnie H.M.. Occupational Injury, Disease and Stress in the Veterinary Profession.. Ph.D. Thesis. Curtin University of Technology; Perth: Nov, 2005.
- Loomans J.B.A., van Weeren-Bitterling M.S., van Weeren P.R., Barneveld A.. Occupational disability and job satisfaction in the equine veterinary profession: How sustainable is this “tough job” in a changing world?. Equine Vet. Educ. 2008;11:597–607.
- . BEVA Survey reveals high risk of injury to equine vets.. Vet. Rec. 2014.
- Langley R.L., Morrow W.E.M.. A survey of personal and occupational health and safety training for US and Canadian veterinary schools.. J. Agromedicine. 1996;3:23–25.
- Wilson J.H., Robinson R.A.. Veterinary college safety inspection: A teaching exercise in occupational safety and health and human services.. J. Vet. Med. Educ. 1999;26:7–9.
- Deisch S.L., Robinson R.A., Hursh P.W.. A health and safety program for students, civil service personnel, and faculty at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota.. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 1977;171:1181–1183.
- Thompson K., McGreevy P., McManus P.. A critical review of horse-related risk: A research agenda for safe amounts, riders and equestrian cultures.. Animals. 2015;5:561–575.
- Custom Insight Survey Random Sample Calculator. [(accessed on 22 October 2012)]. Available online: http://www.custominsight.com/articles/random-sample-calculator.asp.
- Cripps R.A.. Horse-related injury in Australia.. Aust. Injury Prev. Bull. 2000;24:1–20.
- Exadaktylos A.K., Eggli S., Inden P., Zimmermann H.. Hoof kick injuries in unmounted equestrians. Improving accident analysis and prevention by introducing an accident and emergency based relational database.. Emerg. Med. J. 2002;19:573–575.
- Reason J.. Achieving a safe culture: Theory and practice.. Work Stress. 1998;12:293–306.
- Scuffham A.M., Firth E.C., Stevenson M.A., Legg S.J.. Tasks considered by veterinarians to cause them musculoskeletal discomfort, and suggested solutions.. N.Z. Vet. J. 2010;58:37–44.
- Meredith L., Antoun J.S.. Horse-related facial injuries: The perceptions and experiences of riding schools.. Inj Prev. 2011;17:55–57.
- Ueeck B.A., Dierks E.J., Homer L.D., Potter B.. Patterns of maxillofacial injuries related to interaction with horses.. J. Oral Maxill. Surg. 2004;62:693–696.
- Gabel C.L., Gerberich S.G.. Risk factors for injury among veterinarians.. Epidemiology. 2002;13:80–86.
- Jeyaretnam J., Jones H.. Physical, chemical and biological hazards in veterinary practice.. Aust. Vet. J. 2000;78:751–758.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
