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The epidemiology of horse-related injuries for different horse exposures, activities, and age groups in Queensland, Australia.
Abstract: The dangers associated with horse riding, a popular activity throughout Australia, are well documented; yet, few studies have comprehensively described injuries caused by horses to nonriders. This study aimed to facilitate targeted injury prevention strategies and appropriate trauma management by describing all horse-related injuries, for both riders and nonriders, in Queensland, and identifying those at greatest risk. Methods: Horse-related injury data from 2005 to 2009 were extracted from the Queensland Trauma Registry. Descriptive comparisons were undertaken for demographic, injury, and acute care characteristics between riders and nonriders, between pediatric and adult cases, and between sports/leisure and work injuries. The relative risk of surgery by sex and between riders and nonriders was assessed. Results: More than 25% of injuries occurred in people not riding a horse. Nonriders sustained a significantly higher proportion of internal organ injuries, open wounds, as well as facial and pelvic/abdominal injuries. Females accounted for more than 80% of children who were injured while riding a horse. For adults, 25% were injured while working, and more than 66% of injured workers were male. Injuries most commonly occurred in regional areas. Surgery was most common among children, nonriders, and those with Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 1 to 8. The likelihood of surgery was 25% higher for nonriders (95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.38%). Conclusions: Horse-related injuries are most prevalent in identifiable populations, particularly young female riders and adult males injured while working. Injuries inflicted by horses to nonriders contribute more than 27% of all horse-related injuries; however, most previous research has been limited to injured riders. Compared with riders, nonriders more frequently sustain internal, facial, and pelvic injuries; are male; and undergo surgery. The results of this study may be used to tailor prevention strategies and inform trauma management specific to the type of horse exposure, patient age, and activity engaged in when injured. Methods: Epidemiologic study, level III.
Publication Date: 2013-12-26 PubMed ID: 24368381DOI: 10.1097/TA.0b013e3182a9007eGoogle 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
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This research paper focuses on the commonality and severity of injuries associated with horse-related activities (ranging from sports/leisure to work) among different age and gender groups in Queensland, Australia. The outcomes of this research are particularly useful for developing more targeted injury prevention strategies and improving trauma management.
Methodology
- The researchers utilized horse-related injury data from 2005 through 2009 that was sourced from the Queensland Trauma Registry.
- They conducted descriptive comparisons to identify differences in demographic traits, injury type, and acute care characteristics. The groups compared were riders versus non-riders, pediatric versus adult cases, and sports/leisure injuries against work-connected injuries.
- The likelihood of surgical intervention was evaluated based on sex as well as the rider/non-rider distinction.
Results
- The study found that over 25% of injuries happened to individuals who were not riding a horse at the time.
- Non-riders suffered a considerably higher proportion of severe injuries, including internal organ damage, open wounds, and injuries to the face and pelvic/abdominal area.
- It was observed that over 80% of the injured children were female and most were injured while riding.
- Among adults, 1 in 4 were injured in work-related accidents, with men making up over two-thirds of work-related injuries.
- Most injuries were reported in regional areas, rather than urban or suburban locations.
- Data demonstrated that surgical intervention was more common in cases involving children, non-riders, and those with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ranging from 1 to 8.
- The likelihood of surgery was 25% higher among non-riders.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that horse-related injuries are most common among young female riders and adult males who are injured during work.
- Interestingly, non-riders proved to be equally at risk, contributing to over 27% of all horse-related injuries, indicating the need for more research beyond riding-related injuries.
- These outcomes are essential as they inform the development of more targeted injury prevention strategies and better trauma management, specific to the type of horse interaction, patient age, and the activity being undertaken at the time of injury.
Cite This Article
APA
Lang J, Sathivelu M, Tetsworth K, Pollard C, Harvey K, Bellamy N.
(2013).
The epidemiology of horse-related injuries for different horse exposures, activities, and age groups in Queensland, Australia.
J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 76(1), 205-212.
https://doi.org/10.1097/TA.0b013e3182a9007e Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- From Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine (J.L., K.T., C.P., K.H., N.B.), School of Medicine, The University of Queensland; and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (M.S., K.T.), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / etiology
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Queensland / epidemiology
- Recreation
- Sex Factors
- Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
- Wounds and Injuries / etiology
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Loder RT, Walker AL, Blakemore LC. Spinal Injuries from Equestrian Activity: A US Nationwide Study. J Clin Med 2025 Jun 26;14(13).
- Chapman M, Fenner K, Thomas MJW. Lessons learnt from horse-related human fatalities: Accident analysis using HFACS-Equestrianism. Heliyon 2025 Feb 15;11(3):e42276.
- Loder RT, Walker AL, Blakemore LC. Injury Patterns and Associated Demographic Characteristics in Children with a Fracture from Equines: A US National Based Study. Children (Basel) 2024 Nov 27;11(12).
- Riley CB, Padalino B, Rogers CW, Thompson KR. Human Injuries Associated with the Transport of Horses by Road. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
- Savage G, Liesegang A, Campbell J, Lyon M, Fry D. Horse and Cattle-Related Trauma: A Retrospective Review of Injuries and Management in a Regional Queensland Hospital. Cureus 2023 Mar;15(3):e35746.
- 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.
- Krüger L, Hohberg M, Lehmann W, Dresing K. Assessing the risk for major injuries in equestrian sports. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2018;4(1):e000408.
- 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.
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