[Serious accidents caused by horses. Warnings and prevention rules].

This research presents a study on pediatric equestrian injuries, their circumstances, and prevention measures. Conducted on 17 horse-related injury cases in a hospital between July 1997 and September 2008, the study reveals that equestrian activities can be high-risk for children and teenagers, further emphasizing the need for increased safety and use of protective gear.

Objectives and Methods

• The researchers conducted a retrospective and descriptive study within an 11-year timeframe, aiming to gather data about accidents caused by horses that resulted in pediatric injuries.
• They studied the cases of 17 patients aged between 4 and 17 years who were admitted to the hospital due to horse-related injuries.
• The main goal was to analyze the situations around the incidents and to determine key points for prevention.

Results and Findings

• Most of the accidents were as a result of falls, with 14 cases, followed by kicks (2 cases) and bites (1 case).
• Eight patients lost consciousness after the accidents and only one patient had used a protective helmet during the incident.
• They found various injuries among the patients including 3 skull fractures, 4 intracranial haemorrhages, 1 pneumoencephalus and 2 diffuse axonal injuries.
• Other injuries recorded included 4 long bone fractures, 1 jaw fracture, 1 vertebral wedging and 1 partial ear avulsion.
• Majority of the patients (8) required intensive care, 2 underwent neurosurgery due to intracranial haematoma, and 4 required surgical fracture reduction.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that horse-related activities could be high-risk for children and teenagers, especially since brain trauma was the most common and severe injury.
• They also noted a low level of protective equipment use among the patients studied.
• The researchers recommend that measures be taken to increase safety in equestrian activities. This involves a higher emphasis on the use of protective gear like helmets.