Hospitalization due to horse-related injuries: has anything changed? A 25 year survey.
Abstract: Horse riding and horse handling are dangerous. There is a lack of knowledge concerning the incidence of hospitalization due to horse-related injuries and types of injuries in Israel. During the last two decades we have observed an increasing incidence of hospitalizations due to horse-related injuries at our medical center as well as the frequent involvement of pediatric patients. Objective: To investigate these injuries with respect to type, incidence and modes of prevention. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of medical records for all patients admitted to Assaf Harofeh Medical Center due to horse-related injury between January 1984 and December 2008. A telephone questionnaire was used to complete the data. Results: Eighty-nine subjects (267 injuries) were included in the study. Most of them were not professional horse riders or horse handlers. Helmet use was reported in only 28% of the participants. The number of subjects with horse-related injuries and the percentage of pediatric involvement increased during the study period. Falling from a horse was the most frequent cause of injury (60.67%), followed by being kicked (13.4%). Head and extremities were the most affected areas. On admission, 33.7% had a potential severe injury score. Forty-two participants (47%) had underlying fractures, mostly in the upper extremities. In the pediatric population, 16.2% (vs. 0% adults) rode horses for therapeutic reasons. Seventeen subjects reported having long-term consequences. Conclusions: The findings are similar to those described in other parts of the world. Horseback riding-related injuries are increasing, which emphasizes the need for safety education programs in Israel.
Publication Date: 2013-06-21 PubMed ID: 23781751
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the increasing incidence of horse-related injuries resulting in hospitalizations in Israel over a period of 25 years, highlighting that such injuries are frequent among both professional riders and non-professionals, with children being particularly affected.
Research Objective and Methods
- The objective of the study was to understand the nature, incidence, and possible preventive measures of horse-related injuries in Israel.
- The researchers conducted a retrospective review of medical records of patients admitted to Assaf Harofeh Medical Center for horse-related injuries between January 1984 and December 2008.
- To supplement the data from the medical records, a telephone questionnaire was used.
Research Findings
- The study comprised 89 subjects with a total of 267 injuries. Notably, most of these people weren’t professional horse riders or handlers.
- Helmet use was reported in only 28% of the participants, pointing to a lack of adherence to safety practices.
- There was a notable increase in the number of people with horse-related injuries over the study period, with a significant rise in the involvement of pediatric patients.
- Falling from a horse was identified as the leading cause of injury, accounting for 60.67% of cases and being kicked by a horse was the second most common cause, resulting in 13.4% of injuries.
- The most frequently injured body parts were the head and extremities. Out of all the hospital admissions, 33.7% had a potential severe injury score.
- Fractures, especially in the upper extremities, were found in 47% of participants.
- Among children, 16.2% engaged in horse riding for therapeutic purposes (compared to none among adults).
- Long-term consequences were reported by 17 subjects.
Conclusion
- The findings echoed those from other parts of the world, underscoring that horse-related injuries are on the rise.
- The research strongly advocates for the development of safety education programs in Israel to mitigate the risk of horse-related injuries.
Cite This Article
APA
Abu-Kishk I, Klin B, Gilady-Doron N, Jeroukhimov I, Eshel G.
(2013).
Hospitalization due to horse-related injuries: has anything changed? A 25 year survey.
Isr Med Assoc J, 15(4), 169-172.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel. fredricag@asaf.health.gov.il
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Age Distribution
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
- Child
- Female
- Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
- Fractures, Bone / etiology
- Fractures, Bone / prevention & control
- Head Protective Devices / statistics & numerical data
- Horses
- Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
- Humans
- Incidence
- Injury Severity Score
- Israel / epidemiology
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
- Wounds and Injuries / etiology
- Wounds and Injuries / prevention & control
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Riley CB, Padalino B, Rogers CW, Thompson KR. Human Injuries Associated with the Transport of Horses by Road.. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
- Adler CR, Hopp A, Hrelic D, Patrie JT, Fox MG. Retrospective analysis of equestrian-related injuries presenting to a level 1 trauma center.. Emerg Radiol 2019 Dec;26(6):639-645.
- Krüger L, Hohberg M, Lehmann W, Dresing K. Assessing the risk for major injuries in equestrian sports.. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2018;4(1):e000408.
- Meredith L, Ekman R, Thomson R. Horse-related incidents and factors for predicting injuries to the head.. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2018;4(1):e000398.
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