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Medicine and sport science2005; 48; 8-17; doi: 10.1159/000084280

Equestrian injuries.

Abstract: This chapter reviews the current evidence for the epidemiology of pediatric equestrian injuries. Methods: The relevant literature was searched through the use of MEDLINE (1966-2004) and SPORT DISCUS (1975-2004) searches, hand searches of journals and reference lists and discussions with experts and sporting organizations worldwide. Keywords and Mesh headings used in all searches included horse racing, children, pediatric injuries, sports injuries, equestrian injuries and sports trauma. Results: Limited data exist on the epidemiology of pediatric equestrian injuries. Most studies note the high preponderance of females with a peak incidence at approximately 14 years of age. This is likely to reflect the higher rate of female riders. The two most common horse riding-related injuries are long bone fractures and head injury. Although most injuries occur during recreational riding, approximately 15% of injuries occur in nonriding activities such as feeding, handling, shoeing and saddling. Conclusions: While there is little knowledge of injury demographics or the efficacy of prevention countermeasures in this field, it is likely that injuries will continue to occur. The major challenge in reducing pediatric equestrian injuries is the formal scientific demonstration that the various proposed injury prevention measures are effective. With the majority of equestrian injuries happening during unsupervised leisure riding, the prospect of injury prevention is limited.
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Publication Date: 2005-10-26 PubMed ID: 16247251DOI: 10.1159/000084280Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses the current understanding of child equestrian injuries, noting their prevalence, the most common types, and the major challenge in reducing them.

Introduction and Methodology

The researchers studied the epidemiology of pediatric equestrian injuries by analyzing existing literature. They used databases such as MEDLINE and SPORT DISCUS to locate relevant sources, supplemented by manual searches in journals and reference lists. They also maintained dialogues with experts and international sporting organizations to gather additional information. The searches focused on key terms like horse racing, children, pediatric injuries, sports injuries, equestrian injuries, and sports trauma.

Results

The authors found a lack of comprehensive data on the epidemiology of pediatric equestrian injuries. However, the existing studies highlighted:

  • A higher incidence of injuries among female riders, most likely due to a higher ratio of females participating in equestrian activities.
  • The peak age for pediatric equestrian injuries is about 14 years old.
  • Long bone fractures and head injuries are the most common equestrian-related injuries.
  • Most injuries occur during recreational riding. However, around 15% of injuries are reported from non-riding activities such as feeding, handling, shoeing, and saddling horses.

Conclusions

The researchers concluded that due to the limited understanding of injury demographics and the effectiveness of current preventative measures, pediatric equestrian injuries will continue to occur. A significant challenge in reducing these injuries lies in proving that proposed injury prevention measures are effective. Furthermore, because a majority of equestrian injuries take place during unsupervised leisure riding, measures to prevent such injuries are somewhat limited in scope and applicability.

Cite This Article

APA
McCrory P, Turner M. (2005). Equestrian injuries. Med Sport Sci, 48, 8-17. https://doi.org/10.1159/000084280

Publication

Medicine and sport science
ISSN: 0254-5020
NlmUniqueID: 8402440
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 48
Pages: 8-17

Researcher Affiliations

McCrory, Paul
  • Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine and Brain Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Turner, Michael

    MeSH Terms

    • Adolescent
    • Animals
    • Athletic Injuries / classification
    • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
    • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
    • Child
    • Craniocerebral Trauma / epidemiology
    • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
    • Global Health
    • Horses
    • Humans

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