A Review of Incidence and Injury Patterns of Equestrian-Related Accidents in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Horse riding represents a globally popular activity for people of all ages for recreational, sport or professional purposes. Among these individuals an increasing number of young people, children and adolescents has been recorded. This activity is also associated with a significant number of accidents ranging from relatively innocent injuries up to more serious ones which can even endanger the life of the horse rider. In this article review, international literature was thoroughly studied focusing on the analysis of mechanisms leading to these injuries as well as of the risk factors that increase their frequency and the prevention strategies which may reduce their incidence. Horse riding is an activity associated with a significant frequency of accidents mainly due to falls off the horses, accompanied by a large number of accidents, mainly head and upper limbs injuries. These injuries impose considerable socioeconomic costs, with unbearable consequences for the life and health of young riders. For these reasons, prevention strategies as well as the appropriate equipment and particularly the use of a special helmet is of particular importance. Mini-review Article

Horse–related spine and spinal cord injuries

“…Although the usefulness of the helmet for the prevention of craniocerebral injuries is proven and suggested for all ages, especially for the younger ones [23,28,34], the effectiveness of body protectors in reducing the incidence of thoracolumbar spine injuries has not yet been ascertained [20]. Although Bixby-Hammett and Brooks [35] argue that body protectors cannot protect the spine from rotation or prevent compression injuries, Hasler et al [33], however, suggest that the use of protective waistcoats can be effective at reducing injuries during horse riding.…”