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

Here's the abstract from the American Journal of Surgery.

Note that the "Horseback riding is more dangerous than..."

statement is in the Background section, not the results.

This would seem to mean that it was taken as a given at

the start of the study, and was not one of the study's

findings (myriad newspaper articles notwithstanding).

One can't tell without the full journal article and particularly

the footnotes.

 

Linda Mirams

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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., Jill E. Ball, B.H.Sc.O.T., Andrew W. Kirkpatrick, M.D., F.R.C.S.C., F.A.C.S., Robert H. Mulloy,  M. D., F. R.C.S.C.

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.