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Home / Equine Research Bank / Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med / Horse-related trauma in children and adults during a two yea...
Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine2014; 22; 40; doi: 10.1186/s13049-014-0040-8

Horse-related trauma in children and adults during a two year period.

Abstract: Horse riding, with almost 200,000 participants, is the eighth most popular sport in Sweden. Severe injuries can occur with horse riding accidents which is well documented. This study was undertaken to investigate if injuries associated with horse riding are common, which type of injuries occur, what mechanisms are involved and to estimate the costs to the society. Methods: All patients attending the emergency department at Linköping University Hospital, during the years 2003-2004, due to horse related trauma were prospectively recorded. The patients were divided into two groups according to age, 147 children and 141 adults. The medical records were retrospectively scrutinized. Results: The most common mechanism of injury was falling from the horse. Most commonly, minor sprains and soft tissue injuries were seen, but also minor head injuries and fractures, mainly located in the upper limb. In total 26 adults and 37 children were admitted. Of these 63 patients 19 were considered having a serious injury. In total, four patients needed treatment in intensive care units. The total cost in each group was 200,000 Euro/year. Conclusions: Horse riding is a sport with well known risks. Our results corresponds to the literature, however we have not observed the same incidence of serious injuries. In contrast we find these to be fairly uncommon. The injuries are mainly minor, with a small risk of long term morbidity. Over time regulations and safety equipment seem to have decreased the number of serious accidents.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-17 PubMed ID: 25030979PubMed Central: PMC4347583DOI: 10.1186/s13049-014-0040-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research under discussion focuses on the number and nature of injuries associated with horse riding in Sweden, which is a sport involving nearly 200,000 participants and ranks as the eighth most popular sport in the country. The objective of this study encompasses identifying common types of injuries, underlying causes, and estimating the associated societal costs.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers gathered data prospectively from all patients that presented with horse-related traumas at the emergency department at Linköping University Hospital, Sweden, during 2003-2004.
  • The patients involved in the study were divided into two groups according to their age, with 147 children and 141 adults forming the sample size.
  • Medical records of the patients were retrospectively scrutinized to determine the nature and severity of injuries and treatments provided.

Research Findings

  • The most common cause of injuries amongst the patients was falling from the horse – a predominant risk associated with horse riding.
  • Minor injuries such as sprains and soft tissue damage were most frequently observed amongst the subjects, alongside minor head injuries and fractures, primarily located within the upper limb region.
  • Out of the total number of patients observed, 26 adults and 37 children required hospital admission.
  • Amongst the 63 admitted patients, approximately 19 were deemed to have sustained serious injuries and a subset of four patients necessitated treatment within an intensive care unit.

Societal Costs

  • The study concluded that the total cost for the treatment of horse-related injuries corresponded to around 200,000 Euros per year for each group.

Conclusions

  • Albeit horse riding is a sport associated with known risks, the researchers found that serious injuries were comparatively less frequent than what literature usually reports.
  • The study determined that most injuries are relatively minor and present a low risk of long-term damage or disability.
  • Moreover, the researchers concluded that regulatory measures and the increased use of safety equipment appear to have decreased the incidence of serious horse riding mishaps over time.

Cite This Article

APA
Altgärde J, Redéen S, Hilding N, Drott P. (2014). Horse-related trauma in children and adults during a two year period. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med, 22, 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-014-0040-8

Publication

Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine
ISSN: 1757-7241
NlmUniqueID: 101477511
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 22
Pages: 40

Researcher Affiliations

Altgärde, Jakob
  • Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linköping University, 581 85, Linköping, Sweden. jakal375@student.liu.se.
Redéen, Stefan
  • Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linköping University, 581 85, Linköping, Sweden. Stefan.redeen@lio.se.
Hilding, Niclas
  • Emergency Department, County Council of Östergötland, 581 85, Linköping, Sweden. niclas.hilding@lio.se.
Drott, Peder
  • Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linköping University, 581 85, Linköping, Sweden. peder.drott@lio.se.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sweden / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / diagnosis
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / etiology
  • Young Adult

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
  1. Franzén Lindgren E, Hammarqvist F, Ahl Hulme R. Horse-riding hazards: an observational cohort study mapping equestrian related injuries at a Scandinavian trauma centre. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2023 Mar 28;15(1):46.
    doi: 10.1186/s13102-023-00646-ypubmed: 36978116google scholar: lookup
  2. Savage G, Liesegang A, Campbell J, Lyon M, Fry D. Horse and Cattle-Related Trauma: A Retrospective Review of Injuries and Management in a Regional Queensland Hospital. Cureus 2023 Mar;15(3):e35746.
    doi: 10.7759/cureus.35746pubmed: 36895523google scholar: lookup
  3. Hoffmann MF, Bernstorff M, Kreitz N, Roetman B, Schildhauer TA, Wenning KE. Horse-related injury patterns: a single center report. J Orthop Surg Res 2023 Feb 2;18(1):83.
    doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-03549-3pubmed: 36732813google scholar: lookup
  4. Stier R, Tavassol F, Dupke C, Rüter M, Jehn P, Gellrich NC, Spalthoff S. Retrospective analysis of 15 years of horse-related maxillofacial fracture data at a major German trauma center. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2022 Aug;48(4):2539-2546.
    doi: 10.1007/s00068-020-01450-wpubmed: 32699917google scholar: lookup
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  9. Loder RT, Walker AL, Blakemore LC. Spinal Injuries from Equestrian Activity: A US Nationwide Study. J Clin Med 2025 Jun 26;14(13).
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