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Home / Equine Research Bank / Unfallchirurg / [Causes, injuries, therapy and possibilities of prevention o...
Der Unfallchirurg2013; 117(2); 123-127; doi: 10.1007/s00113-012-2275-z

[Causes, injuries, therapy and possibilities of prevention of equine-related accidents. Results of a 2-center-study].

Abstract: Horse riding is associated with a high rate of injuries. The possibilities of prevention are limited because of deficient knowledge about the causes and mechanisms of equine-related accidents. In the present study 198 equine-related accidents were analyzed and based on these data risk groups were identified and guidelines to improve safety in horse riding were formulated. Methods: In this 2-center study the accidents of 169 riders over a period of 12 months were analyzed. Data on equine-related patterns of injury and the resulting treatment were collated from the clinical records. Additionally, a questionnaire was completed on the day of trauma by the patients, which covered age, gender, the cause and mechanism of injury and the use of safety equipment at the time of the accident. Results: There were 169 (85.5%) female and 29 (14.5%) male riders with a median age of 27.2 years (range 5-74 years). Of the riders 55 (27.8%) were aged 18 years or younger, 134 (67.7%) riders were treated as outpatients while 64 (32.3%) required hospitalization, 51 (25.8%) required surgical treatment, 66 (33.3%) used a helmet and 14 (7.1%) a body protector at the time of accident. Conclusions: Equestrians wear helmets increasingly more when riding but the willingness to wear body protectors is disappointing. Protective headgear has been proven to reduce the risk of injuries but based on these data a positive effect of body protectors could not be shown. In this study safety vest users suffered from injuries of the upper body more often than those who did not wear a body protector. Children and adolescents often overestimate their skills; therefore, teaching and supervision of inexperienced young riders along with the use of protective equipment can prevent major injuries.
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Publication Date: 2013-01-12 PubMed ID: 23307431DOI: 10.1007/s00113-012-2275-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • English Abstract
  • Journal Article
  • Multicenter Study

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 reveals that horse-riding accidents are common and their prevention is hindered due to insufficient knowledge about their causes. The study analyzed 198 such accidents to identify high-risk groups and suggest safety guidelines for horse-riding.

Methodology

  • The researchers carried out a two-center study that scrutinized the accidents of 169 riders for a duration of 12 months.
  • Clinical records were used to gather information about the pattern of equine-related injuries and their respective treatments.
  • On the day of the accident, patients were given a questionnaire to fill out. This tool was utilized to collect data about the patient’s age, gender, the accident’s cause and mechanism, and any safety equipment that the patient was using at the time of the accident.

Results

  • The data shows 169 (85.5%) female and 29 (14.5%) male riders fell victim to these accidents, with ages ranging between 5 to 74 years (the median age being 27.2 years).
  • About 18 years or younger riders constituted 27.8% of the patients.
  • Out of all riders, 67.7% were treated as outpatients, whereas 32.3% required hospitalization.
  • 51 (25.8%) riders needed surgical treatment for their injuries. At the time of the accident, 66 (33.3%) riders were wearing a helmet, and 14 (7.1%) had a body protector on.

Conclusions

  • Horse riders are now more willing to wear helmets but remain disinclined to wear body protectors.
  • While helmets have been proven to lower the risk of injuries, data did not indicate a substantive positive impact of body protectors. As per the study, it appeared that safety vest users often suffered from injuries to the upper body more than those who abstained from wearing a body protector.
  • Children and adolescents, being inexperienced, tend to overestimate their horse-riding skills. The researchers suggest that proper training, supervision, and use of protective equipment can prevent significant injuries in these young riders.

Cite This Article

APA
Hessler C, Eckert V, Meiners J, Jürgens C, Reicke B, Matthes G, Ekkernkamp A, Püschel K. (2013). [Causes, injuries, therapy and possibilities of prevention of equine-related accidents. Results of a 2-center-study]. Unfallchirurg, 117(2), 123-127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00113-012-2275-z

Publication

Der Unfallchirurg
ISSN: 1433-044X
NlmUniqueID: 8502736
Country: Germany
Language: ger
Volume: 117
Issue: 2
Pages: 123-127

Researcher Affiliations

Hessler, C
  • Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland, chessler@uke.uni-hamburg.de.
Eckert, V
    Meiners, J
      Jürgens, C
        Reicke, B
          Matthes, G
            Ekkernkamp, A
              Püschel, K

                MeSH Terms

                • Accident Prevention / statistics & numerical data
                • Accidental Falls / prevention & control
                • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
                • Adolescent
                • Adult
                • Age Distribution
                • Aged
                • Animals
                • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
                • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
                • Child
                • Child, Preschool
                • Female
                • Germany / epidemiology
                • Head Protective Devices / statistics & numerical data
                • Horses
                • Humans
                • Incidence
                • Male
                • Middle Aged
                • Protective Clothing / statistics & numerical data
                • Risk Factors
                • Sex Distribution
                • Sports Equipment / statistics & numerical data
                • Young Adult

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                Citations

                This article has been cited 6 times.
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