[Equestrian accidents in children].
Abstract: In a retrospective study we reviewed 262 horse riding related injuries in children younger than 16 which were treated between 1975 and 1989 at the Section of Traumatology in the Department of Surgery, University Hospital Homburg/Saar. In 155 of these accidents, detailed information was gained via a questionnaire. The typical patient profile was that of young female equestrians with little experience and little weekly riding practice, without practicing falling-exercises and warming up often using different horses. At the time of the accident only 59% were wearing a head protection. Most accidents happened in the summer months in the afternoon during leisure riding on a large familiar horse in the riding hall. Apart from the typical accidents like falling of the horse (64.9%) and falling with the horse (5.7%) accidents in handling the horse were of special significance: Kick by horse's hoof (11.8%), being stepped by horse (3.8%), horsebite (7.3%) and injuries of horse's bridle had their own pattern of injuries. Injuries of the distal parts of the upper extremity are preeminent in falling of the horse, whilst in falling with the horse head injuries and shoulder injuries are preeminent. Remarkably often injuries of kick by horse's hoof were causing sometimes even dangerous head injuries (41.6%). Overall in horse riding related injuries in childhood superficial soft tissue injuries (48.6%) and fractures (30.6%) were predominant. Fractures of the clavicle which are well known as a riding injury proved to be typical for a fall with the horse, whilst a fractured vertebra was only seen once amongst the 262 children treated. The severity of the injuries was lower than expected: In 85.1% of all the injuries only one body region was injured, 90.1% could be assigned to an injury severity score (ISS) of 1-3. Ponyriders had less severe injuries than riders of large horses. One fatal accident happened in handling a horse, in these situations preventive measures are often disregard. Active (better education, warming up, falling practice) an passive (head protection!) safety measurements are recommended for prevention of injuries in young riders in particular.
Publication Date: 1993-11-01 PubMed ID: 8281833
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- English Abstract
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article examines 262 horse riding-related injuries occurring in children under the age of 16, treated at a University Hospital in Germany between 1975 and 1989. The study attempts to understand the injury patterns, severity, and preventive measures.
Methodology and Participant Profile
- The research was carried out retrospectively, using records of patients treated for horse riding-related injuries over a 14-year period.
- Additional detailed information on 155 accidents was gathered through a questionnaire.
- The typical patient was a young, inexperienced female rider, who didn’t regularly practice falling exercises or warming up, and often rode different horses.
Accident Characteristics
- Most accidents occurred in the summer afternoons during leisure riding on a large familiar horse in the riding hall.
- At the time of the accident, only 59% of the patients were wearing head protection.
- The common types of accidents included falling off the horse (64.9%), falling with the horse (5.7%), and accidents while handling the horse (e.g., getting kicked by the horse, stepped on, bitten or injured by the horse’s bridle).
Injury Patterns and Severity
- Head and shoulder injuries were common when falling with the horse, while injuries of the distal parts of the upper extremity were more common when falling off the horse.
- Specific interactions with a horse, like being kicked, could lead to serious head injuries (41.6% of records).
- Most injuries were superficial soft tissue injuries (48.6%) or fractures (30.6%). Clavicle factures were typical for falls with the horse.
- A majority of injuries (85.1%) were limited to one body region and were of a low injury severity score (90.1% had an ISS of 1-3).
- Riders of ponies had less serious injuries compared to riders of large horses.
- One fatal accident occurred while handling a horse.
Recommendations for Prevention
- The authors suggest active safety measures such as improved rider education, warm-up practices, and falling practice.
- They also stress the importance of passive safety measures like wearing head protection.
- Special attention needs to be given to precautions when handling horses, an often overlooked aspect in prevention measures.
Cite This Article
APA
Giebel G, Braun K, Mittelmeier W.
(1993).
[Equestrian accidents in children].
Chirurg, 64(11), 938-947.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Abteilung für Unfallchirurgie, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / etiology
- Athletic Injuries / surgery
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Germany / epidemiology
- Horses
- Humans
- Incidence
- Injury Severity Score
- Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Meyer HL, Scheidgen P, Polan C, Beck P, Mester B, Kauther MD, Dudda M, Burggraf M. Injuries and Overuse Injuries in Show Jumping-A Retrospective Epidemiological Cross-Sectional Study of Show Jumpers in Germany. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Feb 17;19(4).
- 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.
- McCrory P, Turner M, LeMasson B, Bodere C, Allemandou A. An analysis of injuries resulting from professional horse racing in France during 1991-2001: a comparison with injuries resulting from professional horse racing in Great Britain during 1992-2001. Br J Sports Med 2006 Jul;40(7):614-8.
- Gatzka C, Begemann PG, Wolff A, Zörb J, Rueger JM, Windolf J. [Injury pattern and clinical course of children with multiple injuries in comparison to adults, Ab 11-year analysis at a clinic of maximum utilization]. Unfallchirurg 2005 Jun;108(6):470-80.
- Turner M, McCrory P, Halley W. Injuries in professional horse racing in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland during 1992-2000. Br J Sports Med 2002 Dec;36(6):403-9.
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