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A retrospective case-control study of horse falls in the sport of horse trials and three-day eventing.
Abstract: Serious injuries to horses and riders in horse trials (HT) and three-day events (3DE) are usually associated with falls of horses, which invariably involve falls of the riders. Many potential causes for these falls have been discussed. Objective: The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the risk factors for horse falls on the cross-country phase of horse trials and three-day events. Methods: Using retrospective data, significant risk factors identified with unvariable analysis (P value <0.2) were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Significant risk factors (P value <0.05) were included in the final model. Results: It was revealed that a number of course, obstacle and rider variables were significantly and independently associated with the risk of falling. Falling was associated with obstacles sited downhill (Odds ratio [OR] 8.41) and with obstacles with ditches in front (OR = 5.77). Conclusions: The relationship between course variables and the risk of falling was characterised and showed a significantly increased risk with increasing numbers of jumps on the course and for jumping efforts later in the course. In contrast, after allowing for the total number of obstacles on the course, an increase in the total number of jumping efforts appeared to have a protective effect. A later cross-country start time was associated with a decreased risk of a horse fall. Amateur event riders were approximately 20 times more likely to fall than professional riders. Conclusions: This study has identified a number of risk factors associated with horse falls and highlights areas that can be altered to improve safety in cross-country competitions.
Publication Date: 2003-03-18 PubMed ID: 12638789DOI: 10.2746/042516403776114180Google 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
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study focuses on identifying risk factors that increase the propensity for falls in horse trials and three-day events. It uses retrospective data to assess which elements – related to the course, obstacle, and rider – greatly contribute to horse falls. The study provides insight on how to improve safety measures in such equestrian events.
Objective and Methods
- The main objective of the study was to examine and understand the risk factors associated with horse falls during the cross-country phase of horse trials and three-day events.
- To achieve this, the researchers used a case-control study approach, collecting retrospective data from past events.
- All the significant risk factors identified by unvariable analysis (with a P value <0.2) were entered into a complex statistical modeling technique known as multivariable logistic regression.
- Only the risk factors deemed significant (P value <0.05) by the analysis were included in the final model.
Results
- The study revealed that multiple course, obstacle, and rider variables independently contributed to the risk of falling.
- For example, it found that falls were more likely at obstacles situated downhill (with an odds ratio of 8.41) and at obstacles preceded by ditches (odds ratio = 5.77).
- The analysis showed a heightened risk of falling as the number of jumps on the course increased and for jumping efforts that occurred later in the course.
- Interestingly, after carefully adjusting for the total number of obstacles on the course, they discovered that more jumping efforts seemed to have a protective effect – decreasing the risk of falls.
- Furthermore, the study found that a later cross-country start time was correlated with a lesser risk of a horse fall.
- The rider’s level of expertise played a role too: amateur event riders were found to be about 20 times more likely to fall than professional riders.
Conclusions
- This research study could successfully identify specific risk factors associated with horse falls in horse trials and three-day events.
- The findings provide crucial knowledge about potential areas of intervention to markedly improve safety in cross-country equestrian competitions.
Cite This Article
APA
Singer ER, Saxby F, French NP.
(2003).
A retrospective case-control study of horse falls in the sport of horse trials and three-day eventing.
Equine Vet J, 35(2), 139-145.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516403776114180 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Equine Studies, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, South Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Accidental Falls / prevention & control
- Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / etiology
- Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
- Athletic Injuries / veterinary
- Case-Control Studies
- Child
- Confidence Intervals
- Female
- Horses / injuries
- Humans
- Logistic Models
- Male
- Odds Ratio
- Retrospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Safety
- Sports / standards
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Helal IE, Al-Abbadi HA, El-Daharawy MH, Ahmed MF. Enhancement of chronic wound healing with maltodextrin/ascorbic acid gel: a clinical evaluation of distal limb wounds in horses. J Anim Sci Technol 2022 Sep;64(5):997-1007.
- Dyson S, Pollard D. Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Horses Competing in British Eventing 90, 100 and Novice One-Day Events and Comparison with Performance. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 25;12(5).
- Cameron-Whytock HA, O'Brien D, Lewis V, Parkin T, Bennet ED. Equine fatalities in equestrian eventing. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1387-1394.
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