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Home / Equine Research Bank / Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg / Epidemiology of horse trauma: a literature review.
European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society2024; doi: 10.1007/s00068-023-02436-0

Epidemiology of horse trauma: a literature review.

Abstract: Horses are used for many recreational and occupational activities. They are large, strong, temperamental, and unpredictable animals and people involved with them are at risk for injuries, from minor abrasions to severe injuries that may lead to death. This review reports on horse trauma in relation to the characteristics of injured equestrians, characteristics of horse trauma, and clinical outcomes. Methods: A literature search was conducted from health-related electronic databases to identify studies from 2018 to 2023. The search returned 115 relevant full-text articles but after screening and assessment for eligibility, 39 were included in this review for a detailed examination of horse trauma epidemiology. Most studies were undertaken in the USA and the most used method was a retrospective review of hospital or trauma registry data. Results: There have only been very slight changes in horse trauma numbers and outcomes over the past 5 years. Most injuries often follow falls and kicks. Females in their late-20 s to mid-30 s who are recreational equestrians are the group most represented in the data. The commonest injuries include fractures, and head, thoracic, and abdominal trauma. Most individuals with horse trauma were treated in the Emergency Department and discharged. For the equestrians who were admitted to hospital, around one-third required surgery. Mortality rates are very low. Conclusions: The popularity of occupational and recreational horse activities does not seem to wane and horse trauma continues to represent a significant concern for the health system. Health care workers need to be cognizant of the scope of trauma presentations as the mechanisms of injury can be complicated putting the equestrian at a high risk of associated injuries that may be life-threatening.
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Publication Date: 2024-01-24 PubMed ID: 38265443PubMed Central: 8871636DOI: 10.1007/s00068-023-02436-0Google 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.

The research article discusses the epidemiology of trauma caused by horses, highlighting who is most affected, the common types of injuries, and how such injuries are typically treated.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a literature search through health-related electronic databases to find studies related to horse trauma from 2018 to 2023.
  • Initially, they found 115 relevant articles, but after screening for eligibility, only 39 were selected for the review.
  • The focus of the review was on examining the epidemiology of horse trauma, and most of the studies reviewed were based in the USA and used retrospective reviews of hospital or trauma registry data as their primary method.

Research Findings

  • The study observed minor changes in numbers and outcomes of horse traumas over the past 5 years, suggesting a stable rate of such incidents.
  • The majority of injuries often occurred from falls or kicks from horses.
  • The group most susceptible to horse trauma included women in their late 20s to mid-30s who engage in horse activities recreationally.
  • The most common injuries were fractures and trauma to the head, thorax, and abdomen.
  • Most individuals with horse trauma were treated in the Emergency Department and discharged, but about a third of those admitted to hospital required surgery.
  • The mortality rate associated with horse-related trauma is quite low.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The popularity of occupational and recreational horse-related activities persists, and thus horse traumas continue to pose a significant concern for the health system.
  • Health care workers need to have a thorough understanding of the scope of trauma presentations due to horse injuries, as they can be complex and potentially life-threatening.

Cite This Article

APA
Neville EK, Hicks H, Neville CC. (2024). Epidemiology of horse trauma: a literature review. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-023-02436-0

Publication

European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
ISSN: 1863-9941
NlmUniqueID: 101313350
Country: Germany
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Neville, Emily K
  • School of Medicine, Wagga Wagga Rural Clinical School, University of Notre Dame Australia, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650, Australia.
Hicks, Henry
  • Department of General Surgery, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650, Australia.
Neville, Christine C
  • School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia. christine.neville@usq.edu.au.

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