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Sportverletzung Sportschaden : Organ der Gesellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin1995; 9(3); 77-83; doi: 10.1055/s-2007-993429

[Injuries in horseback riding–incidence and causes].

Abstract: This article presents the examination of 78 accidents in horseback riding, referring to their origin and kind of injury. It was found that 76% of all injuries did not occur during the active phase of riding, but in the time just before and right after it. Children without any experience in horseback riding were most susceptible to injuries. Referring to lesions occurring before and after the active phase, the longer extremity was predominantly involved (40%); furthermore, the skull was injured in 18% and the hand in 14% of all lesions. During the active phase of horseback riding, skull injuries increased to 34%. Thoracic and spinal lesions occurred in 15% each. The frequency of all lesions shows a reversed proportional dependence on the amount of experience in this sport. Severity of the accidents increases significantly with increasing demand on performance. In consideration of these studies the thesis can be advanced that coordinated prevention directly before and after the active riding phase can decrease the frequency of all accidents and especially the involvement of the lower extremity and the skull.
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Publication Date: 1995-09-01 PubMed ID: 7502217DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993429Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • English Abstract
  • 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 study analyzes 78 horse riding accidents to understand their causes and types of injuries. The findings highlight how the majority of injuries happen not while actively riding, and suggest that improved accident prevention measures could reduce injury rates, especially for the skull and lower extremity.

Study Overview

The article presents a detailed examination of 78 horseback riding accidents. The research aims to understand the origins of these accidents and the type of injuries sustained. Specifically, the study was interested in determining when and how these injuries occur, and which body parts were most frequently affected.

Main Findings

  • The study found that 76% of all injuries happened not during the active phase of horseback riding, but in the moments just before and immediately afterwards.
  • In terms of the types of injuries received, the longer extremities, or legs, were most frequently involved at 40% of cases. Skull injuries were also common at 18%, and hand-related injuries accounted for 14% of all injuries.
  • During the active riding phase, skull injuries increased to 34% while thoracic (chest) and spinal injuries were experienced by 15% of the riders.
  • Children without any experience in horseback riding were found to be the most vulnerable to injuries.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The study shows that the frequency of injuries decreases as the rider gains more experience in the sport, indicating that familiarity and expertise play a role in accident prevention.
  • The severity of accidents was found to increase with the performance demand, meaning that the higher the level of riding skills needed, the greater the risk and potential seriousness of injury.
  • Based on these findings, the researchers propose that introducing coordinated prevention measures specifically around the time directly before and after active riding could significantly reduce the overall frequency of accidents, and especially reduce the instances of lower extremity and skull injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Rathfelder FJ, Klever P, Nachtkamp J, Paar O. (1995). [Injuries in horseback riding–incidence and causes]. Sportverletz Sportschaden, 9(3), 77-83. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-993429

Publication

Sportverletzung Sportschaden : Organ der Gesellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin
ISSN: 0932-0555
NlmUniqueID: 8904133
Country: Germany
Language: ger
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Pages: 77-83

Researcher Affiliations

Rathfelder, F J
  • Unfallchirurgie der RWTH Aachen.
Klever, P
    Nachtkamp, J
      Paar, O

        MeSH Terms

        • Adolescent
        • Adult
        • Animals
        • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
        • Athletic Injuries / etiology
        • Athletic Injuries / surgery
        • Child
        • Cross-Sectional Studies
        • Extremities / injuries
        • Female
        • Fracture Fixation, Internal
        • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
        • Fractures, Bone / etiology
        • Germany / epidemiology
        • Horses
        • Humans
        • Incidence
        • Male
        • Risk Factors
        • Skull Fractures / epidemiology
        • Skull Fractures / etiology
        • Skull Fractures / surgery
        • Spinal Fractures / epidemiology
        • Spinal Fractures / etiology
        • Spinal Fractures / surgery

        Citations

        This article has been cited 8 times.
        1. Meyer HL, Scheidgen P, Polan C, Beck P, Mester B, Kauther MD, Dudda M, Burggraf M. Injuries and Overuse Injuries in Show Jumping-A Retrospective Epidemiological Cross-Sectional Study of Show Jumpers in Germany. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Feb 17;19(4).
          doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042305pubmed: 35206487google scholar: lookup
        2. Schröter C, Schulte-Sutum A, Busch M, Winkelmann M, Macke C, Zeckey C, Krettek C, Mommsen P. [Cervical spine injury in equestrian sports]. Unfallchirurg 2017 Jun;120(6):494-500.
          doi: 10.1007/s00113-016-0154-8pubmed: 26975502google scholar: lookup
        3. Schröter C, Schulte-Sutum A, Zeckey C, Winkelmann M, Krettek C, Mommsen P. [Accidents in equestrian sports : Analysis of injury mechanisms and patterns]. Unfallchirurg 2017 Feb;120(2):129-138.
          doi: 10.1007/s00113-015-0074-zpubmed: 26449915google scholar: lookup
        4. Hessler C, Eckert V, Meiners J, Jürgens C, Reicke B, Matthes G, Ekkernkamp A, Püschel K. [Causes, injuries, therapy and possibilities of prevention of equine-related accidents. Results of a 2-center-study]. Unfallchirurg 2014 Feb;117(2):123-7.
          doi: 10.1007/s00113-012-2275-zpubmed: 23307431google scholar: lookup
        5. Kiss K, Swatek P, Lénárt I, Mayr J, Schmidt B, Pintér A, Höllwarth ME. Analysis of horse-related injuries in children. Pediatr Surg Int 2008 Oct;24(10):1165-9.
          doi: 10.1007/s00383-008-2214-9pubmed: 18696082google scholar: lookup
        6. McCrory P, Turner M, LeMasson B, Bodere C, Allemandou A. An analysis of injuries resulting from professional horse racing in France during 1991-2001: a comparison with injuries resulting from professional horse racing in Great Britain during 1992-2001. Br J Sports Med 2006 Jul;40(7):614-8.
          doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2006.028449pubmed: 16687479google scholar: lookup
        7. Siebenga J, Segers MJ, Elzinga MJ, Bakker FC, Haarman HJ, Patka P. Spine fractures caused by horse riding. Eur Spine J 2006 Apr;15(4):465-71.
          doi: 10.1007/s00586-005-1012-5pubmed: 16408237google scholar: lookup
        8. Turner M, McCrory P, Halley W. Injuries in professional horse racing in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland during 1992-2000. Br J Sports Med 2002 Dec;36(6):403-9.
          doi: 10.1136/bjsm.36.6.403pubmed: 12453834google scholar: lookup
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