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Home / Equine Research Bank / Neurol Res / Straight from the horse’s mouth: neurological injury i...
Neurological research2014; 36(10); 873-877; doi: 10.1179/1743132814Y.0000000373

Straight from the horse’s mouth: neurological injury in equestrian sports.

Abstract: Equestrian sports can result in a variety of injuries to the nervous system due to many factors. We describe our series of 80 patients with injuries sustained during participation in equestrian sports. Results: All patients seen at the regional trauma center with injuries associated with equestrian sports between 2003 and 2011 were reviewed; 80 patients were identified. Fifty-four per cent were female and the average age was 37 years (2·2-79·3). The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 9·9 ± 0·7. Only two patients had documented helmet use. Glasgow coma score (GCS) was 15 in 93% of patients. The most common neurosurgical injuries were to the cranial vault (28%), including concussions, intracranial hematomas and hemorrhages, and skull, facial, and spine fractures (10%), with the majority (63%) being transverse process fractures. The mechanisms of injury varied: 55% were kicked or stepped on, 28% were thrown or fell off, and 21% were injured by the horse falling on them. The causes ranged from carelessness and lack of attention to animal factors including inadequate training of horses and animal fear. Fourteen per cent required surgery. There were no mortalities and average length of stay was 3·7 ± 0·35 days. All patients were discharged home with 95% requiring no services. Conclusions: Equestrian sports convey special risks for its participants. With proper protection and precautions, a decrease in the incidence of central nervous system injuries may be achieved. Neurosurgeons can play key roles in advocating for neurologic safety in equestrian sports.
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Publication Date: 2014-04-13 PubMed ID: 24725290PubMed Central: PMC4142722DOI: 10.1179/1743132814Y.0000000373Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study focuses on the neurological injuries sustained from equestrian sports, examining a series of 80 patients’ injuries over an 8-year period, and suggesting that with the right precautions, such injuries could potentially be reduced.

Methodology

  • The study reviews all patients who were seen at a regional trauma center for equestrian sports-related injuries between 2003 and 2011.
  • In an effort to understand the nature of neurological injuries, 80 patients were identified and their injuries analyzed.
  • Factors such as the patient’s gender, age, injury severity score (ISS), helmet use, and Glasgow coma score (GCS) were taken into account.
  • The study also investigates the mechanisms of injury, including whether the patient was kicked or stepped on by the horse, thrown or fell off the horse, or injured because the horse fell on them.

Findings

  • From the 80 patients studied (54% of which were female, and an average age of 37 years), the mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 9.9.
  • Helmet use was very low, recorded in only two patients.
  • The most common injuries were to the cranial vault (28%), such as concussions, intracranial hematomas, and hemorrhages.
  • Skull, facial, and spine fractures accounted for 10% of the injuries, with the majority of these being transverse process fractures.
  • 55% of the injuries were from the patients being kicked or stepped on by the horse, 28% from the individuals being thrown or falling off, and 21% from the horse falling on them.
  • 14% of patients required surgery due to their injuries, but there were no recorded fatalities.
  • 95% of patients were discharged home requiring no services, with an average hospital stay of 3.7 days.

Conclusions

  • The research highlights the special risks associated with equestrian sports, particularly neurological injuries.
  • It implies that these risks could potentially be mitigated with the right precautions, such as improved helmet use.
  • The study suggests a role for neurosurgeons in promoting safety within equestrian sports to decrease the incidence of neurological injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Srinivasan V, Pierre C, Plog B, Srinivasan K, Petraglia AL, Huang JH. (2014). Straight from the horse’s mouth: neurological injury in equestrian sports. Neurol Res, 36(10), 873-877. https://doi.org/10.1179/1743132814Y.0000000373

Publication

Neurological research
ISSN: 1743-1328
NlmUniqueID: 7905298
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 10
Pages: 873-877

Researcher Affiliations

Srinivasan, Vasisht
    Pierre, Clifford
      Plog, Benjamin
        Srinivasan, Kaushik
          Petraglia, Anthony L
            Huang, Jason H

              MeSH Terms

              • Adolescent
              • Adult
              • Aged
              • Animals
              • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis
              • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
              • Athletic Injuries / etiology
              • Athletic Injuries / therapy
              • Child
              • Child, Preschool
              • Female
              • Glasgow Coma Scale
              • Horses
              • Humans
              • Injury Severity Score
              • Length of Stay
              • Male
              • Middle Aged
              • Retrospective Studies
              • Young Adult

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              Citations

              This article has been cited 4 times.
              1. Mutore K, Lim J, Fofana D, Torres-Reveron A, Skubic JJ. Hearing hoofbeats? Think head and neck trauma: a 10-year NTDB analysis of equestrian-related trauma in the USA. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2021;6(1):e000728.
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              4. Bonsignore-Opp L, Galivanche A, El Naga AN, Gendelberg D. Return to Play Criteria After Adult Lumbar Spinal Fractures: A Review of Current Literature and Expert Recommendations. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 2024 Apr;17(4):83-92.
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