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

Ball, Chad G.; Ball, Jill E.; Kirkpatrick, Andrew W.; Mulloy, Robert H.

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.01.016

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 193, Issue 5 , Pages 636-640, May 2007

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

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

Chad G. Ball, M.D., M.Sc.
- Department of Surgery, Foothills Medical Centre, 10th Floor, North Tower, 403 29th St. NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 2T9
Jill E. Ball, B.H.Sc.O.T.
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Foothills Medical Centre, 3rd Floor, Special Services Bld, 403 29th Street, NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 2T9
Andrew W. Kirkpatrick, M.D., F.R.C.S.C., F.A.C.S.
- Department of Surgery, Foothills Medical Centre, 10th Floor, North Tower, 403 29th St. NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 2T9
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, EG23, Foothills Medical Centre, 403 29th Street, NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 2T9
- Trauma Program, Foothills Medical Centre, G780, 403 29th Street, NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 2T9
Robert H. Mulloy, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.
- Department of Surgery, Foothills Medical Centre, 10th Floor, North Tower, 403 29th St. NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 2T9
- Trauma Program, Foothills Medical Centre, G780, 403 29th Street, NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 2T9
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-403-944-4262; fax: +1-403-944-1277.

Received 6 December 2006; received in revised form 21 January 2007

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.

Keywords: Equestrian, Injury, Trauma, Risk factors