Equestrian injuries: incidence, injury patterns, and risk factors for 10 years of major traumatic injuries

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.01.016

The American Journal of Surgery

Volume 193, Issue 5, May 2007, Pages 636-640

Presented at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the North Pacific Surgical Association, Spokane, WA, November 10–11, 2006

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.01.016 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Horseback riding is more dangerous than motorcycle riding, skiing, football, and rugby. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and injury patterns, as well as risk factors associated with severe equestrian trauma.

Methods

All patients with major equestrian injuries (injury severity score ≥ 12) admitted between 1995 and 2005 were reviewed. A 46-question survey outlining potential rider, animal, and environmental risk factors was administered.

Results

Among 7941 trauma patients, 151 (2%) were injured on horseback (mean injury severity score, 20; mortality rate, 7%). Injuries included the chest (54%), head (48%), abdomen (22%), and extremities (17%). Forty-five percent required surgery. Survey results (55%) indicated that riders and horses were well trained, with a 47% recidivism rate. Only 9% of patients wore helmets, however, 64% believed the accident was preventable.

Conclusions

Chest trauma previously has been underappreciated. This injury pattern may be a result of significant rider experience. Helmet and vest use will be targeted in future injury prevention strategies.

Section snippets

Material and Methods

All patients admitted to our institution between January 1, 1995, and July 1, 2005, as a direct result of an equestrian injury, were identified via our trauma registry. The Foothills Medical Centre is an adult tertiary care trauma referral center that is responsible for all major injuries in southern Alberta. This is also the area of the province where equine activities are most common. The trauma registry is a prospective database, updated daily with all aspects of a patient’s status and

Results

During the 10-year study period, 7941 injured adult patients were treated at the Foothills Medical Centre. A total of 151 (2%) patients were admitted with equestrian injuries. Ten (7%) patients died. Of the 141 potential respondents, 78 (55%) completed the survey. No patient refused to complete the questionnaire. We were unable to engage the remaining patients because of outdated contact information.

The average respondent was male (60%) and 47 years of age (range, 20–78 y). These patient

Comments

Although the true frequency of equestrian injuries in Alberta is unclear, as many as 96% of patients are treated for minor injuries without hospitalization [20]. This relatively low admission rate (.49/1000 hours of riding) confirms the benign nature of many of these injuries. The incidence of severe (ISS ≥ 12) equestrian trauma in this study cohort, however, was 2% (151 of 7941) of all patients treated at our center. This is consistent with the less than 2% rate reported in other studies from

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Scientific paperEquestrian injuries: incidence, injury patterns, and risk factors for 10 years of major traumatic injuries

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Material and Methods

Results

Comments

Aust J Public Health

J Emerg Nurs

J Emerg Nurs

Injury

Injury

Am J Surg

J Emerg Med

Injury

Equestrian injuries: a five year review of hospital admissions in British Columbia, Canada

Inj Prev

Neurologic Injuries in Equestrian Sports

Demographics of alpine skiing and snowboarding injury: lessons for prevention programs

Inj Prev

Mechanisms and patterns of injuries related to large animals

J Trauma

The grave yawns for the horsemanEquestrian deaths in South Australia 1973–1983

Med J Aust

Rider injury rates and emergency medical services at equestrian events

Br J Sports Med

Scientific paper
Equestrian injuries: incidence, injury patterns, and risk factors for 10 years of major traumatic injuries