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Home / Equine Research Bank / Injury / Factors affecting the severity of horse-related injuries.
Injury2003; 34(12); 897-900; doi: 10.1016/s0020-1383(03)00054-8

Factors affecting the severity of horse-related injuries.

Abstract: Horse riding and handling are uniquely dangerous. Knowledge of the risk factors of horse-related injuries is essential to prevent them. We aimed to define the factors that affect the severity of horse-related injuries and the length of hospital stay. A number of 231 patients (136 females and 95 males) with horse-related injuries were studied. A generalized linear model was used to test the effect of age, sex, cause of injury, complexity of the mechanism of injury, year, place of injury and profession of the injured, on the injury severity score (ISS) and the hospital stay. Fall from a horse was the most common cause of injury (67%). Most of the patients were non-professional (153, 66%). Females were significantly younger than males (P<0.001, t-test). Statistical analysis showed that the primary mechanism of injury (F=2.73, P=0.014) and the complexity of this mechanism (F=4.47, P=0.013) significantly affected the duration of hospital stay. None of the studied variables affected the injury severity score. The mechanism of the horse-related injuries and their complexity significantly affected the duration of hospital stay but not the injury severity score.
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Publication Date: 2003-11-26 PubMed ID: 14636730DOI: 10.1016/s0020-1383(03)00054-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 examined the factors influencing the severity and hospital stay duration of horse-related injuries, revealing that the primary cause and complexity of the injuries, rather than aspects like age or profession, are statistically most influential.

Objective of the Research

  • The primary aim of the research was to establish and assess factors that influence the severity of horse-related injuries, and the duration of hospital stay associated with these injuries.

Methodology and Participants

  • A total of 231 patients, comprising 136 females and 95 males, all of who had experienced horse-related injuries, were involved in the study.
  • A generalized linear model was employed to assess the effect of different factors such as age, sex, cause of the injury, the mechanism and complexity of the injury, year, and location of injury, as well as the profession of the injured person on the injury severity score (ISS) and the length of the hospital stay.

Common Triggers and Population

  • The most common trigger for these injuries was a fall from a horse, accounting for 67% of the cases.
  • The majority of the injured individuals were non-professionals, forming 66% of the total.
  • Females in the surveyed group were significantly younger than their male counterparts.

Key Findings

  • Statistical tests showed that the major cause of injury and the complexity of this cause, significantly influenced the duration of the hospital stay. These factors had a substantial effect on the length of the hospital stay, with F-values of 2.73 and 4.47 respectively, and both with a P-value less than 0.05, highlighting their significance.
  • Interestingly, none of the factors being studied made an impact on the injury severity score. This suggests that aspects such as age, gender, or profession do not necessarily dictate the severity of the injury but might influence the recovery time.

Conclusion

  • In conclusion, while the mechanism and complexity of horse-related injuries significantly influence the duration of the hospital stay, none of the parameters studied impacted the injury severity score.

Cite This Article

APA
Abu-Zidan FM, Rao S. (2003). Factors affecting the severity of horse-related injuries. Injury, 34(12), 897-900. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0020-1383(03)00054-8

Publication

Injury
ISSN: 0020-1383
NlmUniqueID: 0226040
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 12
Pages: 897-900

Researcher Affiliations

Abu-Zidan, Fikri M
  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. fabuzidan@uaeu.ac.ae
Rao, Sudhakar

    MeSH Terms

    • Abdominal Injuries / etiology
    • Accidental Falls
    • Accidents, Occupational
    • Animals
    • Athletic Injuries / etiology
    • Craniocerebral Trauma / etiology
    • Female
    • Head Protective Devices
    • Hemothorax / etiology
    • Horses
    • Hospitalization
    • Humans
    • Injury Severity Score
    • Length of Stay
    • Linear Models
    • Male
    • Pneumothorax / etiology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 22 times.
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