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Fall, Crush, Kick: Mechanisms and Outcomes in a Cohort of Equine-Related Injuries.
Abstract: The potential for significant traumatic injury to individuals who interact with horses remains high due to animal size, forces applied, and unpredictability. Despite an estimated 30 million riders in the United States annually, few recent publications have addressed this patient population. Objective: This study describes characteristics of patients injured in interactions with horses, focusing on mechanism of injury and use of protective equipment. Methods: We queried our institution's trauma registry for all patients admitted for equine-related injuries (ERI) between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017. We categorized by specific mechanism of injury (fall, crush, kick, fall + crush, and fall + kick) and presence or absence of protective devices. Results: We discovered 143 patients admitted for injuries in equine-related accidents. Patients averaged 49.2 years old, and 62.2% were female. Crush injuries resulted in a high rate of rib fractures. Riders who were kicked had an increased chance of solid organ and facial injuries and falls most commonly led to rib fractures and extremity trauma. Despite lack of documentation on most subjects, protective devices were associated with less severe injuries in those with data (n = 36). Conclusions: In this relatively large series of patients with ERI, we found mechanism differences within injury groups. Providers should more carefully document specific circumstances of ERIs. All individuals working with or around horses should exercise prudence and consider using protective equipment.
Publication Date: 2021-10-13 PubMed ID: 34645327DOI: 10.1177/00031348211048836Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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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.
Cite This Article
APA
Bhade P, Parsons A, Smiley A, Shreffler J, Nash N, Baker J, Harbrecht B, Huecker M.
(2021).
Fall, Crush, Kick: Mechanisms and Outcomes in a Cohort of Equine-Related Injuries.
Am Surg, 89(4), 875-880.
https://doi.org/10.1177/00031348211048836 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Louisville(UofL), Louisville, KY, USA.
- University of Louisville(UofL), Louisville, KY, USA.
- University of Louisville(UofL), Louisville, KY, USA.
- University of Louisville(UofL), Louisville, KY, USA.
- University of Louisville(UofL), Louisville, KY, USA.
- University of Louisville(UofL), Louisville, KY, USA.
- University of Louisville(UofL), Louisville, KY, USA.
- University of Louisville(UofL), Louisville, KY, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Horses
- Animals
- Female
- Male
- Rib Fractures
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / etiology
- Protective Devices
- Facial Injuries / epidemiology
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Crawford AE, Picken LK, Gabriel FD, Quade J, Gould S. CNS and Thorax Injury and Associated Risks Factors in Equestrian Sports. Sports Health 2025 Jul;17(4):697-702.
- Neville EK, Hicks H, Neville CC. Epidemiology of horse trauma: a literature review. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2024 Jun;50(3):741-754.
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