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The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ2013; 15(4); 169-172;

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.
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Publication Date: 2013-06-21 PubMed ID: 23781751
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  • Journal Article

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 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

The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ
ISSN: 1565-1088
NlmUniqueID: 100930740
Country: Israel
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 4
Pages: 169-172

Researcher Affiliations

Abu-Kishk, Ibrahim
  • 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
Klin, Baruch
    Gilady-Doron, Nataly
      Jeroukhimov, Igor
        Eshel, Gideon

          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 5 times.
          1. 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).
            doi: 10.3390/ani13101594pubmed: 37238024google scholar: lookup
          2. 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.
            doi: 10.1007/s10140-019-01718-8pubmed: 31435897google scholar: lookup
          3. 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.
            doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000408pubmed: 30364519google scholar: lookup
          4. 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.
            doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000398pubmed: 30167320google scholar: lookup
          5. Loder RT, Walker AL, Blakemore LC. Spinal Injuries from Equestrian Activity: A US Nationwide Study. J Clin Med 2025 Jun 26;14(13).
            doi: 10.3390/jcm14134521pubmed: 40648895google scholar: lookup
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