Fall, Crush, Kick: Mechanisms and Outcomes in a Cohort of Equine-Related Injuries.

This study investigates the different types of injuries that individuals receive from equine-related accidents and analyzes the use of protective equipment during these incidents.

Research Objective and Methods

The aim of this research was to understand the characteristics of injuries in individuals who interact with horses, focusing on the way these injuries happen (“mechanism of injury”) and the use of protective equipment. To carry out this study, the authors of the research sourced information from their institution’s trauma registry, a database holding records of all patients admitted for equine-related injuries (ERI) from 2013 to 2017.

• Each case was classified based on the specific mechanism of injury, grouping them into five categories: “fall”, “crush”, “kick”, “fall + crush”, and “fall + kick”.
• Additionally, each case was marked for the presence or absence of protective devices used at the time of the accident.

Research Findings

A total of 143 patients were admitted for injuries resulting from equine-related accidents during the observed period. The data revealed that the patients were, on average, 49.2 years old and 62.2% of them were female.

• Crush injuries were recorded to have a high incidence of rib fractures.
• Those who were kicked by horses had a higher chance of experiencing solid organ and facial injuries.
• Falls led most commonly to rib fractures and extremity trauma, which refers to injuries to the limbs.

While it was not documented consistently, data showed that those who wore protective equipment during the accidents had less severe injuries than those who did not.

Conclusions

The researchers determined that there are distinctive differences in the type and severity of injuries depending on the specific mechanism of how they occur. They highlighted the need for more detailed information on the specific circumstances of equine-related injuries and suggested individuals interacting with horses should consider using protective equipment for better safety.