Preventing horse-related injuries by watching out for other humans

The more one rides or handles horses, the more likely one is to have a horse-related injury. These injuries are caused by many factors, including those generated by other riders, handlers or spectators. An analysis of 266 cases of injured equestrians showed that 16% of those injuries were caused by other humans. A panel of horse riding safety experts felt 63% were preventable, and the injured individuals themselves felt 51% were preventable. The study findings suggest that increased awareness of the role others play in causing horse-related injuries and increased education about common people-caused injuries could reduce the number of horse-riding and handling injuries, and medical visits to physicians, emergency rooms, and hospitalizations. Management implications Horse riding organizations and businesses such as guest ranches, horse parks, and training centers, which bring many individuals together with various levels of equine experience, should include an orientation to horse safety, especially noting the role of other humans in causing injuries, that explains how to avoid some of the most common accidents.