Horse-related facial injuries: the perceptions and experiences of riding schools.

This study examines the understanding and experiences of horse-related facial injuries in New Zealand’s horse riding schools. It finds that only a small percentage of schools identify the face as a common injury site, and safety measures for unmounted activities are insufficiently enforced.

Research Methodology

• The study contacted all horse riding schools registered in the New Zealand electronic phonebook directory to partake in a postal survey. This ensured that a wide range of institutions with varying protocols were contacted, to provide an in-depth and comprehensive overview of safety measures and perceptions of facial injuries amongst the New Zealand equestrian community.

Perceptions of Facial Injury Patterns

• The findings show that only 4% of respondents identified the face as the most common injury site in horse-related accidents. This indicates a significant lack of awareness and understanding of the potential for facial injuries in these settings.
• Falls were cited as the most frequent cause of facial injury, with 41% of respondents attributing facial injuries to this type of incident. Horse kicks, despite being a prevalent cause of injury in equestrian activities, were only perceived as the cause of facial injuries by 9% of the respondents.

Safety Equipment

• Despite the potential for severe facial injuries, safety gear usage was found to be inconsistent among the surveyed schools. Helmets were enforced during unmounted activities in only 35% of the schools.
• Almost half of the surveyed schools reported not enforcing any safety equipment use for unmounted equestrians. These findings underline issues with the application of safety measures outside of mounted activities, which may contribute to an elevated risk of facial injuries amongst riders.

Interpretation of Findings

• The results suggest a widespread lack of recognition of the frequency and severity of horse-related facial injuries in New Zealand horse riding schools. Due to this, safety protocols in many schools are primarily directed towards mounted equestrians, with less focus on providing protection for riders during unmounted activities.
• Poor handling was identified by 67% of schools as the primary cause of horse kick-related injuries, indicating a need for improved education and training around managing horses to reduce the risk of injury.