Nonfatal horse-related injuries treated in emergency departments in the United States, 2001-2003

Karen E Thomas ^1*, J. Lee Annest ¹, Julie Gilchrist ¹ and Doris M Bixby-Hammett ²

¹ CDC National Center for Injury Prevention, United States
² American Medical Equestrian Association/Safe Riders Foundation, United States

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: khg8{at}cdc.gov.

Accepted 28 March 2006

Abstract

Objective: To characterize and provide nationally representative estimates of persons with nonfatal horse-related injuries treated in US emergency departments.

Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) is a stratified probability sample comprising 66 hospitals. Data on injuries treated in these emergency departments are collected and reported. NEISS-AIP data on all types (horseback riding and otherwise) of nonfatal horse-related injuries from 2001 through 2003 were analyzed.

Results: An estimated 102904 persons with nonfatal horse-related injuries (35.7 per 100000 population) were treated in US emergency departments each year from 2001 through 2003. Nonfatal injury rates were higher for females (41.5 per 100000) than for males (29.8 per 100000). Most patients were injured while mounted on a horse (66.1%), commonly from falling or being thrown by the horse; while not mounted, injuries most often resulted from being kicked by the horse. The body parts most frequently injured were the head/neck region (23.2%), lower extremity (22.2%), and upper extremity (21.5%). The most common principal diagnoses were contusions/abrasions (31.4%) and fractures (25.2%). For each year that was studied, an estimated 11502 people sustained traumatic brain injuries from horse-related incidents. More than 11% of those injured were hospitalized.

Conclusions: Horse-related injuries are a public health concern not just for riders, but for anyone in close contact with horses. Prevention programs should target horseback riders and horse caregivers to promote helmet use and educate participants about horse behavior, proper handling of horses, and safe riding practices.

Key Words: equestrian, horse, sports and recreation, traumatic brain injury

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