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Home / Equine Research Bank / Scand J Surg / Traumatic injuries associated with horseback riding.
Scandinavian journal of surgery : SJS : official organ for the Finnish Surgical Society and the Scandinavian Surgical Society2007; 96(1); 79-82; doi: 10.1177/145749690709600115

Traumatic injuries associated with horseback riding.

Abstract: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 30 million people ride horses each year in the United States. Horseback riding related injuries are common, with an estimated 50,000 emergency room visits annually. The popularity of recreational horseback riding has increased in South Florida and the incidence of associated traumatic injuries is a reflection of this. Methods: Retrospective review of patients admitted to a state designated Level I trauma center that sustained horseback riding associated injuries between January 2000 and December 2003. Information extracted from the Trauma Center's data base included demographics, mechanism of injury and toxicology screening. Results: During the review period, twenty-seven patients were identified. There were 12 men and 15 women. The average age was 36 years. The injuries occurred during pleasure riding in 23 patients and thoroughbred related activities in 4 patients. Multiple severe injuries were common and documented in 24 patients. All patients required hospitalization with an average stay of 5 days. Five patients had a positive toxicology screen on admission. No deaths were documented in this review. Conclusions: Horseback riding related injuries tends to be serious. Alcohol and recreational drugs may contribute to exacerbate the extent of these injuries. The use of proper protective equipment, instructions for safe riding, and discouraging drug and alcohol use during riding activities should be emphasized.
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Publication Date: 2007-04-28 PubMed ID: 17461318DOI: 10.1177/145749690709600115Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 article focuses on analyzing the trauma injuries linked with horseback riding. The findings demonstrate the severity of injuries, the common causes, and also propose measures to ensure safety for riders.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved a retrospective review of patients who were admitted to a designated Level I trauma center due to horseback riding related injuries. The period of review spanned from January 2000 to December 2003.
  • The information was extracted from the Trauma Center’s database which included details regarding demographics of the patients, the mechanisms of injuries incurred, and toxicology screening results.

Demographics and Cause of Injuries

  • During the review period, twenty-seven patients who had been victims of horseback riding associated injuries were identified. The group consisted of 12 men and 15 women with the average age being 36 years.
  • It was found that the majority of the injuries occurred during pleasure riding (23 patients) rather than thoroughbred related activities (4 patients).

Severity of Injuries

  • Multiple severe injuries were common and were documented in 24 patients out of the 27 involved in the study.
  • All patients required hospitalization post injury for an average stay of about 5 days.

Substance Use and Injuries

  • Out of these patients, five had a positive toxicology screen on admission, indicating that alcohol or drugs were found in their system at the time of injury.
  • However, it’s important to note that no deaths were documented during this review.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that injuries related to horseback riding tend to be quite serious.
  • Alcohol and recreational drugs may contribute to exacerbate the extent of these injuries and their severity.
  • The article emphasizes the need for the use of proper protective equipment, adherence to safety instructions while riding, and discouraging drug and alcohol use during riding activities as measures to prevent these injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Carrillo EH, Varnagy D, Bragg SM, Levy J, Riordan K. (2007). Traumatic injuries associated with horseback riding. Scand J Surg, 96(1), 79-82. https://doi.org/10.1177/145749690709600115

Publication

Scandinavian journal of surgery : SJS : official organ for the Finnish Surgical Society and the Scandinavian Surgical Society
ISSN: 1457-4969
NlmUniqueID: 101144297
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 96
Issue: 1
Pages: 79-82

Researcher Affiliations

Carrillo, E H
  • Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA. trauma1ehc@aol.com
Varnagy, D
    Bragg, S M
      Levy, J
        Riordan, K

          MeSH Terms

          • Adolescent
          • Adult
          • Animals
          • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis
          • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
          • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
          • Female
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Incidence
          • Injury Severity Score
          • Male
          • Middle Aged
          • Multiple Trauma / diagnosis
          • Multiple Trauma / epidemiology
          • Protective Devices
          • Retrospective Studies
          • Trauma Centers / statistics & numerical data
          • United States / epidemiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 7 times.
          1. Malchrowicz-Mośko E, Wieliński D, Adamczewska K. Perceived Benefits for Mental and Physical Health and Barriers to Horseback Riding Participation. The Analysis among Professional and Amateur Athletes. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 May 25;17(10).
            doi: 10.3390/ijerph17103736pubmed: 32466221google scholar: lookup
          2. Young JD, Gelbs JC, Zhu DS, Gallacher SE, Sutton KM, Blaine TA. Orthopaedic Injuries in Equestrian Sports: A Current Concepts Review. Orthop J Sports Med 2015 Sep;3(9):2325967115603924.
            doi: 10.1177/2325967115603924pubmed: 26535400google scholar: lookup
          3. Schröter C, Schulte-Sutum A, Zeckey C, Winkelmann M, Krettek C, Mommsen P. [Accidents in equestrian sports : Analysis of injury mechanisms and patterns]. Unfallchirurg 2017 Feb;120(2):129-138.
            doi: 10.1007/s00113-015-0074-zpubmed: 26449915google scholar: lookup
          4. Carmichael SP 2nd, Davenport DL, Kearney PA, Bernard AC. On and off the horse: mechanisms and patterns of injury in mounted and unmounted equestrians. Injury 2014 Sep;45(9):1479-83.
            doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2014.03.016pubmed: 24767580google scholar: lookup
          5. Kim S, Yuk GC, Gak H. Effects of the horse riding simulator and ball exercises on balance of the elderly. J Phys Ther Sci 2013 Nov;25(11):1425-8.
            doi: 10.1589/jpts.25.1425pubmed: 24396203google scholar: lookup
          6. Duma LA, Begonia MT, Miller B, Jung C, Wood M, Duma BG, Rowson S. Equestrian STAR: Development of an Experimental Methodology for Assessing the Biomechanical Performance of Equestrian Helmets. Ann Biomed Eng 2025 Sep;53(9):2309-2332.
            doi: 10.1007/s10439-025-03723-0pubmed: 40293632google scholar: lookup
          7. 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.
            doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42276pubmed: 39991252google scholar: lookup
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