The Effectiveness of Jockey Safety Equipment in Falls

Equine Veterinary Journal

Hill

Stover

2015

SummaryReasons for performing study: If equine conditions with high likelihood of jockey injury can be determined and subsequently prevented, jockey safety can be enhanced. Objectives: To identify racehorse injuries or conditions with greatest risk for jockey falls and injuries. Study design: Retrospective correlation of race-day jockey fall and injury data with racehorse fatality data. Methods: Thoroughbred (TB) and Quarter Horse (QH) racehorse cause of death and jockey fall and injury data for California flat races were reviewed for a 6-year period. Race and jockey race ride population data were used to determine jockey fall and injury incidence rates relative to cause of racehorse death, and were assessed using Poisson regression. Differences in proportions were assessed using Fisher's exact, Pearson's χ 2 , and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests. Results: 707 racehorses experienced race-related catastrophic injury or sudden death. 199 jockeys had 601 falls with 325 injuries. Jockeys were 162 times more likely to fall (95% confidence interval 137-192; P<0.001) and 171 times more likely to be injured (95% confidence interval 140-208; P<0.001) when they rode a horse that died in a race. We infer that jockeys were more likely to fall or be injured when riding in QH races than in TB races because of a higher incidence of horse fatalities in QH races. Jockey falls occurred with 24% of TB and 36% of QH race-related horse fatalities, and jockey injury occurred in 64% of falls. Jockey falls were most common with TB fetlock injuries and QH carpal, metacarpal and fetlock injuries; and with axial, bilateral and multiple injuries compared with appendicular, unilateral and singular injuries, respectively. Conclusions: Prevention of the most common catastrophic injuries and conditions of the racehorse, e.g. fetlock injuries, may be most effective at decreasing rates of falls and injuries to horseracing jockeys during racing.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

The role of catastrophic injury or sudden death of the horse in race‐day jockey falls and injuries inCalifornia, 2007–2012

Equine Veterinary Journal

Hill

Stover

2015

“…When a horse experiences a catastrophic injury or sudden death and collapses while traveling at speeds around 35 mph, the jockey falls with the horse and is more likely to suffer a serious injury and pose additional risk to adjacent horses and their jockeys. An Australian study 9 of video footage of falls by jockeys during races reported 3 primary injury–producing fall modes: a forward dive into the track as the horse stumbled, a fall from the side of the horse while holding onto the reins, and a fall following being pitched into the air or thrown from the horse. These falls translated to impact velocities ranging from 20 to 30 mph (30-50 kph) and heights of up to 11 feet (3.5 m).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, there was a risk of the rider being trampled or crushed by a fallen horse after hitting the track. 9 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Jockey Falls, Injuries, and Fatalities Associated With Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racing in California, 2007-2011

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine

Hill

Stover

2013

Background:Despite the popularity of the horse racing industry in the United States and the wide recognition that horse racing is one of the most hazardous occupations, little focused research into the prevention of falls by and injuries to jockeys has been conducted.Purpose:To describe the incidence rates and characteristics of falls and injuries to Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing jockeys in the state of California.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:Data on race-day falls and injuries were extracted from jockey accident reports submitted to the California Horse Racing Board from January 2007 to December 2011. Denominator data, number of jockey race rides, were obtained from commercial and industry databases. Jockey fall, injury, and fatality incidence rates and ratios in Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse flat races were estimated using Poisson regression. Characteristics of falls and injuries are described and compared.Results:In Thoroughbred races, 184 jockey injuries occurred from 360 reported jockey falls, 180,646 race rides, 23,500 races, and 3350 race meetings. In Quarter Horse races, 85 jockey injuries occurred from 145 jockey falls, 46,106 race rides, 6320 races, and 1053 race meetings. Jockey falls occurred at a rate of 1.99 falls per 1000 rides in Thoroughbred races, with 51% of falls resulting in jockey injury, and 3.14 falls per 1000 rides in Quarter Horse races, with 59% of falls resulting in jockey injury. The majority of falls occurred during a race, with catastrophic injury or sudden death of the horse reported as the most common cause in both Thoroughbred (29%) and Quarter Horse (44%) races. During the period studied, 1 jockey fatality resulted from a fall. Jockey fall rates were lower but injury rates were comparable to those reported internationally.Conclusion:On average, a licensed jockey in California can expect to have a fall every 502 rides in Thoroughbred races and every 318 rides in Quarter Horse races. While jockey fall rates were lower, injury rates were similar to those in other racing jurisdictions. The high proportion of jockey falls caused by horse fatalities should be further investigated.

“…25 Exploration of risk perceptions and protective equipment behaviours could provide further insight as to why riders do not wear helmets. In addition, new advancements have been made for horse-riding safety equipment, 11 12 and so updated recommendations may be required.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hospital-treated injuries from horse riding in Victoria, Australia: time to refocus on injury prevention?

O’Connor

BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med

Fortington

2018

BackgroundThe most recent report on hospital-treated horse-riding injuries in Victoria was published 20 years ago. Since then, injury countermeasures and new technology have aimed to make horse riding safer for participants. This study provides an update of horse-riding injuries that required hospital treatment in Victoria and examines changes in injury patterns compared with the earlier study.MethodsHorse-riding injuries that required hospital treatment (hospital admission (HA) or emergency department (ED) presentations) were extracted from routinely collected data from public and private hospitals in Victoria from 2002–2003 to 2015–2016. Injury incidence rates per 100 000 Victorian population per financial year and age-stratified and sex-stratified injury incidence rates are presented. Poisson regression was used to examine trends in injury rates over the study period.ResultsED presentation and HA rates were 31.1 and 6.6 per 100 000 person-years, increasing by 28.8% and 47.6% from 2002 to 2016, respectively. Female riders (47.3 ED and 10.1 HA per 100 000 person-years) and those aged between 10 and 14 years (87.8 ED and 15.7 HA per 100 000 person-years) had the highest incidence rates. Fractures (ED 29.4%; HA 56.5%) and head injuries (ED 15.4%; HA 18.9%) were the most common injuries. HA had a mean stay of 2.6±4.1 days, and the mean cost per HA was $A5096±8345.ConclusionHorse-riding injuries have remained similar in their pattern (eg, types of injuries) since last reported in Victoria. HA and ED incidence rates have increased over the last 14 years. Refocusing on injury prevention countermeasures is recommended along with a clear plan for implementation and evaluation of their effectiveness in reducing injury.