Results from the Survey on Horse-Related Injuries and Safety Practices in MD and VA
Submitted by: Lisa Bethune
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Date Added: 11/9/2010
Equestrian activities are very popular with an estimated 30 million Americans riding horses a year1. However, they are also very dangerous, with studies concluding that equestrian activities are more dangerous than motorcycle riding, skiing, rugby, and football2. I conducted an online survey on horse-related injuries and safety practices in MD and VA in order to better understand the horse-related injuries that are occurring in this area.
The survey was open from July 1st 2010 through September 1st 2010, and I received a total of 951 responses. The Equiery magazine, VirginiaEquestrian.com, the Virginia Horse Council, and the Horse Show Times advertised the survey through web and print sources.
Almost all of the respondents reported having ever been injured as a result of horse-related activities (94%). Women were more likely than men to have been injured and those with greater than 15 years of experience with horses were more likely to have been injured than those with fewer years of experience. The most common type of injury reported was a bruise or abrasion, followed closely by a fracture or broken bone. Most of the injuries occurred while riding the horse, with the majority a result of being thrown from or falling off the horse. Of the injuries that occurred on the ground, being stepped on was the most common cause of injury.
These findings served to confirm what we all already know: injuries are inevitable in a sport where your partner is an unpredictable 1200 pound animal capable of kicking with a ton of force and running at speeds up to 40 mph. Therefore, I wanted to find out how the outcomes after the injury and how the use of safety equipment could be improved.
The outcome that I asked about in the survey was whether or not the respondent had improved his or her safety behaviors following the injury. This is an important outcome because if safety behaviors are improved, further injury in the future could be avoided. I found that those who received emotional support (comfort, sympathy) and informational support (advice about what happened and on how to avoid it in the future) from friends or family, a professional in the equine industry (riding instructor, trainer), or a healthcare professional were more likely to improve their safety behaviors following the injury than those who did not receive this support.
I also found evidence that the provision of safety information in the equine industry needs to be improved. Roughly half (53%) of respondents reported that they do not always use safety equipment and follow safety practices because they do not think it is necessary. The safety information that is being provided should therefore focus on exactly how each safety measure can help protect the participant in the event of an injury or hazardous situation.
Finally, when asked about where more safety information for people involved in horse-related activities should come from, the majority reported from a professional in the equine industry. Other sources indicated were 4-H clubs, pony clubs, or other horse organizations and in horse magazines.
The results of this survey hold important implications for the equine industry. The receipt of support from friends or family, a professional in the equine industry, or a healthcare professional can improve one’s outcome after an injury. Additionally, professionals in the equine industry need to be aware that they are not only looked to for training advice and instruction, but also for safety recommendations. All professionals in the equine industry, from veterinarians to trainers, need to be equipped to provide adequate safety information so that we can make this dangerous sport as safe as possible.
1. Hughes KM, Falcone RE, Price J, Witkoff M. Equestrian-related trauma. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 1995; 13(4): 485-487.
2. Ball JE, Ball CG, Mulloy RH, Datta I, Kirkpatrick AW. Ten years of major equestrian injury: are we addressing functional outcomes? Journal of Trauma Management and Outcomes. 2009; 3(2).
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