The Journal of trauma1989; 29(1); 25-30; doi: 10.1097/00005373-198901000-00005

Lethal horse-riding injuries.

Abstract: Riding accidents can be of a serious nature. Knowledge of risk factors is of essential value in the prevention of injuries. From the years 1969 through 1982 a series of 53 lethal riding injuries is analysed with reference to the rider, the horse, and the environment. Craniocerebral injuries dominate in this series, indicating the importance of adequately protecting helmets. Among the victims the female sex is dominating before the age of 25 and the males above this age. Older horses are less frequently involved in these accidents than younger ones. A long training period for riders under surveillance of a teacher is of outmost importance. Outdoor riding should be recommended only to experienced riders.
Publication Date: 1989-01-01 PubMed ID: 2911099DOI: 10.1097/00005373-198901000-00005Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • 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 article discusses the analysis of fatal riding injuries over a period from 1969 to 1982, and highlights potential risk factors including rider’s sex and age, horse’s age, and the importance of wearing helmets, undergoing lengthy training, and proper supervision.

Introduction

  • The research paper is centered around studying lethal horse-riding injuries that occurred from 1969 to 1982.
  • The primary aim of the study is to identify potential risk factors to prevent further injuries in the future.
  • The analysis considered different aspects – the rider, the horse, and the environment surrounding the accident.

Findings

  • The report emphasizes that craniocerebral, or head injuries, were the most common type of injury in the series, thereby highlighting the critical importance of wearing properly fitting helmets for protection.
  • Looking at the gender of victims, the study found a notable difference depending on the age of the riders. Female riders dominated the group of victims under the age of 25, whereas males were more likely to be victims over the age of 25.
  • When it comes to the age of horses, older horses were found to be less frequently involved in these accidents than younger ones, suggesting that the age and, potentially, the experience level of the horse plays a role in accident risk.

Recommendations

  • Based on the findings from their research, the authors strongly recommended a long training period for riders under the supervision of a professional teacher, which they find crucial in preventing future incidents.
  • The research also suggests outdoor riding to be limited to experienced riders, as this was identified as a risk factor in the series of fatal accidents they analyzed.

Cite This Article

APA
Ingemarson H, Grevsten S, Thoru00e9n L. (1989). Lethal horse-riding injuries. J Trauma, 29(1), 25-30. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005373-198901000-00005

Publication

ISSN: 0022-5282
NlmUniqueID: 0376373
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 1
Pages: 25-30

Researcher Affiliations

Ingemarson, H
  • Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Grevsten, S
    Thoru00e9n, L

      MeSH Terms

      • Adolescent
      • Adult
      • Animals
      • Athletic Injuries / mortality
      • Athletic Injuries / pathology
      • Child
      • Female
      • Head Protective Devices
      • Horses
      • Humans
      • Male
      • Middle Aged
      • Sweden

      Citations

      This article has been cited 15 times.
      1. 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
      2. O'Connor S, Hitchens PL, Fortington LV. Hospital-treated injuries from horse riding in Victoria, Australia: time to refocus on injury prevention?. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2018;4(1):e000321.
        doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000321pubmed: 29464106google scholar: lookup
      3. Weber CD, Nguyen AR, Lefering R, Hofman M, Hildebrand F, Pape HC. Blunt injuries related to equestrian sports: results from an international prospective trauma database analysis.. Int Orthop 2017 Oct;41(10):2105-2112.
        doi: 10.1007/s00264-017-3592-1pubmed: 28801837google scholar: lookup
      4. Young JD, Gelbs JC, Zhu DS, Gallacher SE, Sutton KM, Blaine TA. Orthopaedic Injuries in Equestrian Sports: A Current Concepts Review.. Orthop J Sports Med 2015 Sep;3(9):2325967115603924.
        doi: 10.1177/2325967115603924pubmed: 26535400google scholar: lookup
      5. Sandiford N, Buckle C, Alao U, Davidson J, Ritchie J. Injuries associated with recreational horse riding and changes over the last 20 years: a review.. JRSM Short Rep 2013 May;4(5):2042533313476688.
        doi: 10.1177/2042533313476688pubmed: 23772313google scholar: lookup
      6. Boran S, Lenehan B, Street J, McCormack D, Poynton A. A 10-year review of sports-related spinal injuries.. Ir J Med Sci 2011 Dec;180(4):859-63.
        doi: 10.1007/s11845-011-0730-4pubmed: 21792709google scholar: lookup
      7. Kiss K, Swatek P, Lu00e9nu00e1rt I, Mayr J, Schmidt B, Pintu00e9r A, Hu00f6llwarth 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
      8. 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
      9. 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
      10. 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
      11. Nicholl JP, Coleman P, Brazier JE. Health and healthcare costs and benefits of exercise.. Pharmacoeconomics 1994 Feb;5(2):109-22.
      12. Paix BR. Rider injury rates and emergency medical services at equestrian events.. Br J Sports Med 1999 Feb;33(1):46-8.
        doi: 10.1136/bjsm.33.1.46pubmed: 10027058google scholar: lookup
      13. Munro J, Coleman P, Nicholl J, Harper R, Kent G, Wild D. Can we prevent accidental injury to adolescents? A systematic review of the evidence.. Inj Prev 1995 Dec;1(4):249-55.
        doi: 10.1136/ip.1.4.249pubmed: 9346041google scholar: lookup
      14. Watt GM, Finch CF. Preventing equestrian injuries. Locking the stable door.. Sports Med 1996 Sep;22(3):187-97.
      15. Thompson JM, von Hollen B. Causes of horse-related injuries in a rural western community.. Can Fam Physician 1996 Jun;42:1103-9.
        pubmed: 8704486