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Journal of pediatric orthopedics2021; 42(2); e126-e131; doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002025

Epidemiological Study of Equestrian Trauma in Geneva.

Abstract: Horse-related activities are increasingly popular among young people but are frequently associated with severe injuries requiring hospital treatment. There are few data on the incidence of equestrian injuries, especially in child populations, or on means of prevention. Thus, this study's purpose was to highlight the epidemiological data on specific injuries due to equestrianism and serve as the groundwork for future studies on the prevention of equestrian accidents. Methods: A retrospective study collected data on all children younger than 16 years old who attended our regional emergency department after involvement in an equestrian accident. The study covered the periods from 1990 to 2003 and 2011 to 2018. Twenty-two years of data on trauma circumstances, injury patterns (mechanism, anatomic site, and severity), treatment protocols, and hospital lengths of stay were analyzed. Results: This study confirmed that more young females participating in equestrian sports attended our emergency department than males. The leading cause of equestrian injury was falling from a horse (80.2%). Orthopaedic injuries represented around 60% of all reported lesions, far ahead of head injuries (30%). More than half of the injured children required hospitalization for inpatient medical care, and almost 50% of these underwent a surgical procedure, especially for upper extremity fractures (72% of all fractures). One patient died due to severe cerebral injury. Conclusions: Horse riding injuries occur more frequently and are more serious than in many other sporting activities. There is an urgent need to reassess preventive measures to reduce the incidence and severity of equestrian injuries. Methods: Level IV.
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Publication Date: 2021-12-04 PubMed ID: 34857726DOI: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002025Google 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.

This research article is an epidemiological study that investigates injuries related to horse-riding activities in children less than 16 years old. The study aims to provide data on the type and severity of these injuries and highlights the need for improved preventive measures.

Introduction and Purpose of the Study

  • The article provides an overview of the potential dangers associated with horse-related activities, particularly for young people. These activities, although popular, are associated with a high risk of severe injuries that necessitate hospitalization.
  • Despite the prevalence of these injuries, there is a lack of definitive data regarding the types, causes, and frequency of equestrian injuries, especially among children. This study aims to fill these gaps.
  • The ultimate goal of the study is to use this data to inform and develop methods to prevent these injuries and improve safety in equestrian activities.

Methodology

  • The research was conducted retrospectively, looking at data from children below 16 years old who received emergency treatment following an equestrian accident. The periods under study were from 1990 to 2003 and 2011 to 2018 – giving a combined total of twenty-two years of data.
  • Data on the specific circumstances of the trauma, the patterns of injury (including the mechanism, location and severity), the treatment protocols and the length of the patients’ hospital stays were collected and analyzed.

Findings and Discussions

  • The results of the study showed that more young females were involved in equestrian accidents than males. The data also revealed that the primary cause of equestrian injury was falls from the horse, accounting for a massive 80.2% of all incidents.
  • Orthopaedic injuries were the most common type of harm, forming 60% of all reported injuries, followed by head injuries which made up 30%.
  • More than half of the injured children required hospitalization for medical care. Of those who were hospitalized, almost half underwent a surgical procedure, particularly those with upper extremity fractures.
  • One child, unfortunately, died due to a severe cerebral injury, which underlines the seriousness of this issue.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that horse riding injuries are frequent and more severe when compared to many other sporting activities.
  • The conclusion calls for urgent reassessment of preventive measures to reduce the occurrence and severity of equestrian injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Naef S, Steiger CN, Tabard-Fougère A, Dayer R, Ceroni D. (2021). Epidemiological Study of Equestrian Trauma in Geneva. J Pediatr Orthop, 42(2), e126-e131. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000002025

Publication

Journal of pediatric orthopedics
ISSN: 1539-2570
NlmUniqueID: 8109053
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 2
Pages: e126-e131

Researcher Affiliations

Naef, Sarah
  • Service of Pediatric Orthopedics, Department of Child and Adolescent Children's, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Steiger, Christina N
    Tabard-Fougère, Anne
      Dayer, Romain
        Ceroni, Dimitri

          MeSH Terms

          • Accidental Falls
          • Adolescent
          • Animals
          • Arm Injuries
          • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
          • Craniocerebral Trauma
          • Female
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Male
          • Retrospective Studies

          Conflict of Interest Statement

          The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 3 times.
          1. Franzén Lindgren E, Hammarqvist F, Ahl Hulme R. Horse-riding hazards: an observational cohort study mapping equestrian related injuries at a Scandinavian trauma centre. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2023 Mar 28;15(1):46.
            doi: 10.1186/s13102-023-00646-ypubmed: 36978116google scholar: lookup
          2. Boije Af Gennäs K, Jungmalm J. Youth horse-related injuries (2014-2024): a scoping review of epidemiological and disciplinary insights. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2025;11(3):e002589.
            doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002589pubmed: 40922806google scholar: lookup
          3. Neville EK, Hicks H, Neville CC. Epidemiology of horse trauma: a literature review. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2024 Jun;50(3):741-754.
            doi: 10.1007/s00068-023-02436-0pubmed: 38265443google scholar: lookup
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