A review of horse-related injuries in a rural Colorado hospital: implications for outreach education.
Abstract: 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 telephone call to determine the types, causes, and mechanisms of injuries, and the circumstances surrounding the incidents. Operators of 7 guest ranches and outfitters within a 30-mile radius of the hospital plus 3 ranches in Oklahoma and an additional ranch in Colorado were contacted with the study results and suggestions for injury prevention. Results: Patients ranged in age from 2 to 77 years. Fifty-five percent were inexperienced or beginner riders, 10% were novice riders, and 35% were experienced riders. Seventy percent were injured during recreational pursuits. The average Injury Severity Score for all patients was 8.5, with an average length of stay of 72 hours. Injuries were related to rider inexperience, equipment problems, or unpredictable horse behavior. Conclusions: Thirty-eight percent of the horse-related injuries were preventable. All operators of the guest ranches and outfitters were receptive to hearing or reading the study information. It is hoped that raising awareness and providing suggestions related to the screening of riders, prevention of injuries, and safety measures may decrease the numbers of horse-related injuries.
Publication Date: 2005-10-04 PubMed ID: 16198726DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2005.08.009Google 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
- Review
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 paper examines horse-related injuries in Colorado, paying attention to factors like horseback riding experience, circumstances of riding, and the mechanisms of injuries in order to enhance prevention strategies.
Research Methods
- The researchers conducted a four-year retrospective and prospective review of medical records at a southwestern Colorado hospital. The aim was to understand horse-related injuries better.
- The study focused on patients injured while riding or caring for horses. A total of 85 patients formed the sample for this research.
- Aside from reviewing the medical records, the researchers conducted interviews with patients at various stages: during discharge from the emergency department, during inpatient treatment, or in a follow-up call.
- The interviews helped to ascertain the types, causes, and mechanisms of injuries, as well as the surrounding circumstances of the incidents.
- Additionally, operators from several guest ranches and outfitters within a 30-mile radius of the hospital and in various locations in Oklahoma and Colorado were contacted. The researchers shared the findings of the study and made suggestions for injury prevention.
Research Findings
- The patients ranged in age from 2 years to 77 years. Over half (55%) were beginner or inexperienced riders, while 10% were novices and 35% were experienced riders.
- Most injuries occurred during recreational activities, constituting 70% of all incidents.
- The average Injury Severity Score among the patients was 8.5, with an average hospital stay of 72 hours.
- The injuries were traced back to three main factors: rider inexperience, problems with equipment, and the unpredictable behavior of horses.
- Preventability was a significant factor in these incidents, with 38% of the horse-related injuries regarded as preventable.
Conclusions and Implications
- Raising awareness among ranch and outfitter operators is crucial. In this study, all those contacted by the researchers were receptive to the study information and prevention suggestions.
- By making recommendations regarding rider screening, injury prevention, and safety measures, the researchers aim to reduce the number of horse-related injuries in the future.
Cite This Article
APA
Newton AM, Nielsen AM.
(2005).
A review of horse-related injuries in a rural Colorado hospital: implications for outreach education.
J Emerg Nurs, 31(5), 442-446.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2005.08.009 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- alexis36@earthlink.net
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Age Distribution
- Aged
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / classification
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Colorado / epidemiology
- Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
- Female
- Head Protective Devices
- Health Education / methods
- Horses
- Humans
- Injury Severity Score
- Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Retrospective Studies
- Rural Population / statistics & numerical data
- Sex Distribution
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Ahmed M, Saeed R, Abdulsalam M, Johna S, Elias D. Horse Kick to the Abdomen Causing a Triad of Injury: A Case Report. Cureus 2019 Oct 1;11(10):e5821.
- Oode Y, Maruyama T, Kimura M, Fukunaga T, Omori K, Yanagawa Y. Horse kick injury mimicking a handle bar injury or a hidden speared injury. Acute Med Surg 2016 Jan;3(1):3-9.
- Majeedkutty NA, Khairulanuar NA. Prevalence, patterns, and correlates of equestrian injuries in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study. J Family Community Med 2017 Jan-Apr;24(1):18-22.
- Ikinger CM, Baldamus J, Spiller A. Factors Influencing the Safety Behavior of German Equestrians: Attitudes towards Protective Equipment and Peer Behaviors. Animals (Basel) 2016 Feb 18;6(2).
- Young JD, Gelbs JC, Zhu DS, Gallacher SE, Sutton KM, Blaine TA. Orthopaedic Injuries in Equestrian Sports: A Current Concepts Review. Orthop J Sports Med 2015 Sep;3(9):2325967115603924.
- Swanberg JE, Clouser JM, Bush A, Westneat S. From the Horse Worker's Mouth: A Detailed Account of Injuries Experienced by Latino Horse Workers. J Immigr Minor Health 2016 Jun;18(3):513-521.
- Bednar DA, Almansoori K. Sacral Stress Fracture Mimicking Lumbar Radiculopathy in a Mounted Police Officer: Case Report and Literature Review. Global Spine J 2015 Oct;5(5):e69-73.
- Srinivasan V, Pierre C, Plog B, Srinivasan K, Petraglia AL, Huang JH. Straight from the horse's mouth: neurological injury in equestrian sports. Neurol Res 2014 Oct;36(10):873-7.
- Baugh AD, Baugh RF, Atallah JN, Gaudin D, Williams M. Craniofacial trauma and double epidural hematomas from horse training. Int J Surg Case Rep 2013;4(12):1149-52.
- Hessler C, Eckert V, Meiners J, Jürgens C, Reicke B, Matthes G, Ekkernkamp A, Püschel K. [Causes, injuries, therapy and possibilities of prevention of equine-related accidents. Results of a 2-center-study]. Unfallchirurg 2014 Feb;117(2):123-7.
- Hasler RM, Gyssler L, Benneker L, Martinolli L, Schötzau A, Zimmermann H, Exadaktylos AK. Protective and risk factors in amateur equestrians and description of injury patterns: A retrospective data analysis and a case - control survey. J Trauma Manag Outcomes 2011 Feb 4;5:4.
- Ball JE, Ball CG, Mulloy RH, Datta I, Kirkpatrick AW. Ten years of major equestrian injury: are we addressing functional outcomes?. J Trauma Manag Outcomes 2009 Feb 19;3:2.
- Asai Y, Tsunetoshi Y, Susa Y, Matsuzawa A, Miyazaki S, Itagaki Y, Yamamoto H, Kimura K, Kushiya H, Sato S, Okada N, Yamabuki T, Kato K, Kinoshita Y, Takada M, Ambo Y, Nakamura F. Successful Surgical Repair of Complete Duodenal Transection Caused by Horse Kick: A Case Report. Surg Case Rep 2025;11(1).
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
