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Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine2025; 36(4); 472-477; doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001400

Head Injuries in the Wild West: A Comparison of Head Injuries in English and Western Collegiate Equestrian Athletes.

Abstract: Compare incidence of head injury, number of falls, and helmet use between English and Western riders. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Online flyers. Methods: Competitive college equestrian athletes. Methods: This study assesses the difference in risk of head injury between the English and Western disciplines of riding. Methods: The difference in risk of head injury between the English and Western disciplines of riding. Results: Three hundred fifty-seven equestrian athletes between 18 and 24 years of age who ride competitively for their college or university's team participated in this study. Of these athletes, 297 athletes competed in English style riding, and 60 competed in Western style riding. There was a significantly higher proportion of English-style equestrians who reported always wearing a helmet while riding (92.5%), in comparison with just 23.3% of Western style riders. There were significantly more Western equestrians than English equestrians who reported multiple head injuries because of falls in the previous year. Conclusions: All equestrians have a high incidence of head injuries; however, Western riders reported a higher number of falls in the previous year than their English counterparts. In addition, Western riders reported less consistent helmet use when compared with their English counterparts, who are more likely to always wear helmets when riding. This study highlights important differences in the risk of head injury between participation in Western and English riding.
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Publication Date: 2025-12-22 PubMed ID: 41423769DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001400Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Comparative Study

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.

Overview

  • This study compares the frequency of head injuries, number of falls, and helmet usage between English and Western collegiate equestrian athletes.
  • The research identifies differences in injury risks and safety practices between these two riding disciplines among college riders.

Study Objectives

  • To compare the incidence of head injuries between English and Western collegiate equestrian athletes.
  • To evaluate the number of falls experienced by athletes in both riding styles during the previous year.
  • To assess and contrast helmet use prevalence among English and Western riders.

Methods

  • Study Design: Cross-sectional study using online recruitment flyers targeting collegiate equestrian athletes.
  • Participants: 357 competitive college equestrian athletes aged 18 to 24 years.
  • Data Collection: Self-reported information on helmet use, number of falls, and experience of head injuries within the past year.

    • Key Findings

    • Helmet Use:
      • 92.5% of English riders reported always wearing helmets while riding.
      • Only 23.3% of Western riders reported always wearing helmets.
      • Significant disparity in helmet use favoring English riders.
    • Head Injuries and Falls:
      • Western riders reported significantly more multiple head injuries resulting from falls in the past year compared to English riders.
      • Western riders also reported a higher number of falls during the same period.

    Conclusions

    • Both English and Western equestrian disciplines face a high incidence of head injuries among collegiate athletes.
    • Western riders experience more frequent falls and multiple head injuries compared to their English counterparts.
    • Helmet wearing is much less consistent among Western riders, which may contribute to the increased incidence of head injuries observed.
    • The findings suggest that safety practices, such as consistent helmet use, could be targeted for improvement especially within the Western riding community to reduce head injury risk.
    • Highlights a need for tailored injury prevention strategies addressing discipline-specific risks and behaviors in collegiate equestrian sports.

    Cite This Article

    APA
    Picken LK, Crawford AE, McGwin G, Serrano D, Gould S. (2025). Head Injuries in the Wild West: A Comparison of Head Injuries in English and Western Collegiate Equestrian Athletes. Clin J Sport Med, 36(4), 472-477. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000001400

    Publication

    Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine
    ISSN: 1536-3724
    NlmUniqueID: 9103300
    Country: United States
    Language: English
    Volume: 36
    Issue: 4
    Pages: 472-477

    Researcher Affiliations

    Picken, Lauren K
    • Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
    Crawford, Anna E
    • Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
    McGwin, Gerald
    • Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
    Serrano, Devon
    • Department of Sports Medicine, Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, Virginia; and.
    Gould, Sara
    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.

    MeSH Terms

    • Humans
    • Cross-Sectional Studies
    • Head Protective Devices / statistics & numerical data
    • Craniocerebral Trauma / epidemiology
    • Female
    • Male
    • Adolescent
    • Young Adult
    • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
    • Animals
    • Incidence
    • Risk Factors
    • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
    • England / epidemiology
    • Horses
    • Universities

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    Citations

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