Lethal recreational activities involving horses – A Forensic study.
Abstract: A search was undertaken of the Forensic Science South Australia, Australia, autopsy database over a 25-year period from 1995 to 2019 with the aim of understanding more about the role that recreational horse use not involving racing may have in mortality. Eight cases were found with an age range of 8-73 years (mean 47 years) and a male:female ratio of 5:3. The major category was a fall while riding (N = 7) with the remaining case (N = 1) sustaining a lethal kicking. Blunt craniocerebral trauma was responsible for death in 4 cases with injuries following falls including acute subdural and subarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral contusions and lacerations with associated significant cerebral edema. Skeletal injuries occurred in 2 cases with falls that had caused fractures of cervical vertebrae 2 and 4, with contusion of the underlying spinal cord (N = 1), and fracture of the pelvis with significant retroperitoneal hemorrhage from associated vascular injuries (N = 1). Lethal abdominal and chest injuries occurred in 2 cases, both with lacerated livers and multiple rib fractures. In the final case of an 8-year-old girl who was kicked by a horse there was a lacerated liver with a hematoperitoneum, and fractures of the ribs on the right side with contusion of the underlying lung. The size, strength and temperament of horses make them potentially dangerous during leisure time activities such as grooming and riding. Lethal head injuries often follow falls and kicks. Traumatic lesions identified at autopsy include fractures and blunt craniocerebral, thoracic and abdominal trauma.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-06-06 PubMed ID: 32531668DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2020.101728Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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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.
Cite This Article
APA
Byard RW.
(2020).
Lethal recreational activities involving horses – A Forensic study.
Leg Med (Tokyo), 46, 101728.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2020.101728 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia. Electronic address: roger.byard@sa.gov.au.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Animals
- Brain Concussion / epidemiology
- Brain Concussion / etiology
- Child
- Female
- Forensic Medicine
- Head Injuries, Closed / epidemiology
- Head Injuries, Closed / etiology
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Recreation
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Byard RW. Death and injuries caused by cattle: A forensic overview. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2025 Mar;21(1):401-405.
- Neville EK, Hicks H, Neville CC. Epidemiology of horse trauma: a literature review. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2024 Jun;50(3):741-754.
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