Lethal recreational activities involving horses – A Forensic study.

This research article investigates the fatalities linked to non-racing horse-related leisure activities in South Australia over a 25-year period (1995-2019). The study aims to identify the main types and causes of injuries sustained, for a better understanding of the risks involved.

Research Parameters

• Records from the Forensic Science South Australia autopsy database were studied for a period spanning 25 years (from 1995 to 2019).
• The cases included both males and females with an age range of 8-73 years, with an average age of 47 years.
• The study was limited to injuries resulting from horse-related leisure activities excluding racing.

Key Findings

• In total, eight cases were identified within the given time period. The male to female ratio of these fatalities was 5:3.
• Most incidents led to death due to a fall while riding (seven out of eight cases), while one case involved a fatal horse kick.
• The major cause of death was blunt craniocerebral trauma, responsible for half of the cases. This resulted from falls that lead to acute subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral contusions and lacerations, and significant cerebral edema.

Specific Injuries

• Skeletal injuries were observed in two cases – one resulting from fractures of the second and fourth cervical vertebrae with contusion of the underlying spinal cord, and another from a pelvic fracture causing substantial retroperitoneal hemorrhage from related vascular injuries.
• Two cases involved lethal abdominal and chest injuries. Both had lacerated livers and multiple rib fractures.
• The lone case involving a horse kick led to death due to a lacerated liver with hematoperitoneum and fractures of the ribs on the right side causing a contusion of the underlying lung in an 8-year-old girl.

Conclusion

• The research found that the size, strength, and temperament of horses make them potentially hazardous during leisure time activities such as grooming and riding.
• Lethal head injuries often followed falls and kicks. Autopsies revealed traumatic injuries including fractures and blunt craniocerebral, thoracic, and abdominal trauma.