EQUESTRIAN

An estimated 30 million Americans ride horses in any given year. The risk of injury is highest in competitive sports such as polo and equestrianism or in circumstances where ‘beginners’ are poorly supervised. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 205,000 people were treated for horseback riding-related injuries in 2004. On average, the chances of being injured while horseback riding are 20 times greater than when riding a motorcycle.

The most common injuries are sprains, contusions and fractures of the wrist, elbow, shoulder or collar bone, with the primary cause being a fall from the horse. Less common causes can involve faulty ropes, reins and other equipment or improper use of that equipment. Nearly 20% of all related injuries occur during horse handling activities.

Generally, treating horseback riding injuries involves rest, ice application and elevation of the affected area. In more serious cases however, especially of bone injuries, surgical repair of bones and joints may be necessary.

As with all similar injuries, immediate medical assistance should be sought. Improper or incomplete treatment of an injury may prevent the body from healing correctly. This can leave the affected area vulnerable to debilitating conditions such as diseases of the joint, bone and the development of osteoarthritis.

A rider’s experience, size and skills should always be evaluated before selecting a horse.