Equestrian Trauma in an Urban Environment: A Retrospective Analysis in a Level I Trauma Center.
Abstract: Equestrian trauma is recognized as a high-risk injury mechanism with the potential for significant morbidity and mortality. Although horse-related injuries are more frequently seen in a rural environment, they can also occur in urban settings. Urban physicians should be mindful of these potential cases. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on all patients treated at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, for equestrian-related trauma from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2024. Results: Twenty-nine equestrian trauma patients ages 10-70 were included, with injuries observed in all six Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) body regions. Admission was required in 93% of patients. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission was required in 41% of the cases. Head and extremity injuries were the most common reasons for admission. Polytrauma patients were seen both in patients who fell from a horse and those who were kicked by a horse. The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 6.9 and 11.8, respectively. Conclusions: Both falling from a horse and being kicked by a horse have been shown to have a high risk of serious morbidity. Equestrian trauma can occur in urban environments. Urban physicians should be aware of injury patterns in equestrian trauma and maintain a high index of suspicion for serious injuries, as most patients will require admission and intervention.
Copyright © 2025, Swezey et al.
Publication Date: 2025-04-02 PubMed ID: 40322402PubMed Central: PMC12047053DOI: 10.7759/cureus.81609Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article provides a review of data on injuries suffered from horse-related incidents in an urban environment, highlighting the risk and impact of these events. It calls for urban physicians to be mindful of the potential for such incidents.
Research Methodology
- The study was a retrospective review of equestrian-related trauma at Nassau University Medical Center, New York, from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2024.
- It covered 29 patients, aged between 10 and 70, who had been injured in such incidents.
Findings
- All patients displayed injuries in each of the six body regions defined by the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) – the head, face, chest, abdomen, extremities (including pelvis) and external trauma.
- Admission to the hospital was required for 93% of patients, indicating the severity of the incidents.
- Approximately 41% of patients required intensive care, illustrating how serious these injuries were.
- Head and extremity injuries were the most common reasons for admission, indicating the areas most likely to be injured in equestrian-related accidents.
- Patients who fell from a horse as well as those who were kicked by a horse were likely to have multiple injuries (polytrauma), with mean Injury Severity Scores (ISS) of 6.9 and 11.8 respectively.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that both falling from and being kicked by a horse carry a high risk of serious injury.
- Equestrian-related injuries can also occur in urban environments, not just in rural areas where one might expect more horse-related activity.
- Therefore, urban physicians need to be aware of the potential patterns of injuries in equestrian trauma and should keep a high level of suspicion for serious injuries, given the high possibility of a need for patient admission and intervention.
Cite This Article
APA
Swezey E, Szydziak E, Angus LDG, Mehta V, Cardozo-Stolberg S.
(2025).
Equestrian Trauma in an Urban Environment: A Retrospective Analysis in a Level I Trauma Center.
Cureus, 17(4), e81609.
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.81609 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, USA.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Nassau Health Care Corporation Institutional Review Board issued approval 21-392. The approval is for one year with this approval expiring on February 25, 2026. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
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