Every year horse riding causes deaths and very serious injuries such as long term paralysis from spinal cord damage. Even if the danger is difficult to quantify, it is unarguable that horse riding is potentially dangerous. Also, many injuries are sustained whilst on the ground around horses.
- Yes, horse riding is dangerous, after all even if you fall off a pony you’re still falling a long way, but what’s more important is how likely you are to seriously injure yourself. After all, if you have an accident jumping from a helicopter the chances of serious injury are far higher.
How dangerous is it to ride a horse?
The most severe injuries occur when riders are thrown from horses and land on their head, resulting in brain damage or paralysis. But the most common injuries caused by horses are fractures, bruises, abrasions, and concussions, many of which happen when a horse kicks or steps on a person.
Is horse riding one of the most dangerous sports?
Horse riding might not be as dangerous as we think — according to a new survey. The public rated riding as the third most dangerous sport after boxing and rugby, with 13.5% of respondents thinking it posed the greatest risk.
Do horses like to be ridden?
Most horses are okay with being ridden. As far as enjoying being ridden, it’s likely most horses simply tolerate it rather than liking it. However, many people argue that if horses wouldn’t want us to ride them, they could easily throw us off, which is exactly what some horses do.
Is horse riding more dangerous than football?
The risk of hospital admission from horseback riding injuries is higher than racing, and skiing. Ask anyone what the most dangerous sport is, and you’d probably hear football. Pretty much anything but the correct answer: Horseback riding.
What sport has most deaths?
Base jumping is undoubtedly the world’s most dangerous sport. The statistics show that there is a far bigger chance of dying base jumping than doing any other activity. Jumping off tall buildings, structures or natural features, base jumpers deploy a parachute to ensure they land safely.
Does falling off a horse hurt?
Without moving from the location where you fell, assess yourself for any signs of injury. You could easily make an injury worse by attempting to move prematurely, so do your best to stay where you are. Check for bleeding, broken bones or a head/neck injury. Most importantly, assess yourself for signs of shock.
What activities have a 1 death rate?
BASE jumping is one of the world’s most dangerous recreational activities, with overall fatalities in 2002 estimated at approximately one fatality per sixty participants (Source). With base jumping, a person jumps with a parachute from a fixed object.
How often do people get hurt riding horses?
Horse riding injury events have been found to affect approximately 35.7 persons per 100 000 population every year in the USA, typically involving females between the ages of 10–14 years.
What is the most common injury in horseback riding?
The majority of injuries in horseback riding occur to the head, trunk, and upper extremities. Predominant types of injury include head injury, fracture, and soft tissue injury. Head injury accounts for 50% of horse-related injuries leading to hospitalization.
Does it hurt horses when you clean their hooves?
It’s unlikely you’ll hurt a horse’s hoof when using a simple hoof pick to clean it. However, if you don’t learn how to properly ask for and hold the hoof, you could harm the leg or the horse could harm you. The old saying, “No hoof, no horse” holds true, so hoof cleaning should be part of your daily routine.
Why do horses let humans ride them?
Horses let humans ride them because of a relationship of trust developed through hard work, time, and training. In the wild, horses run when humans attempt to approach them. Most people buy horses trained to ride and don’t put much thought into why a horse lets them sit on their back.
Do horses like to be hugged?
Sharing body contact is one of the main ways horses share affection. Since horses don’t have hands to hold or arms to give hugs, gentle leans and even “neck hugs” express their love.
Horseback riding is the most dangerous sport, study warns
It’s time for Seabiscuit to take to the skies. The Library of Congress is a federal government institution that collects and organizes information. Early History begins in the year 1750. It is established by a group of American horse breeders and racers. Even today, the club continues to set standards and regulations for horse racing, racecourses, and breeding operations worldwide. Diomed, the legendary English horse racer, is imported to Virginia in 1798 and immediately became famous. Although he had failed miserably as a stud in England, and his best days were thought to be behind him, the 21-year-old stallion adapts happily to life in America, siring so many offspring that he will come to be known as “the father of American Thoroughbreds.” As part of the first North versus South match-up, Thoroughbreds American Eclipse and Sir Henry compete in three four-mile races on May 27, 1823 at Union Race Course.
It is Eclipse, the northern contender, who is victorious this time.
1840 Horse racing is brought westward by settlers who settle in Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Louisiana, where it becomes a popular sport.
1861 During the American Civil War, thoroughbred racing suffers a severe setback.
- Thoroughbreds are being pressed into military service.
- In Saratoga Springs, New York, a new horse racing track has opened.
- 1867: American Racetracks are opened on June 19, 1867 It takes place at Jerome Park for the first time.
- Pimlico Course in Maryland hosts the first running of the Preakness Stakes on May 27, 1873.
- on the 27th of May, 1875 This race is held at the Louisville Jockey Club Course, which later became known as Churchill Downs, for the first time in 1903.
- 1900 Over 300 racetracks are available for horse racing wagering across the country, but members of the rising progressive movement consider gambling to be a social ill that should be addressed.
- A California Buick dealership with three automobiles will be established by him in 1905.
Almost everything in a 4.7-square-mile area, including 28,000 buildings, is destroyed by the earthquake and fires that follow.
On February 5, 1909, the California state legislature passed a law prohibiting horse racing wagering due to gambling corruption at racetracks.
George Woolf, the horseman who will ride Seabiscuit in the great match race against War Animal, is born on May 31, 1910 in New York City.
In the Kentucky Derby on May 8, 1915, a filly named Regret beat out a field of colts to win the race.
Because of wartime rationing and transportation restrictions, railroad tracks are now free of these issues.
Racetracks in more locations are becoming available.
The Triple Crown will be named after this series of races, which took place over three days.
1930 Gallant Fox wins the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, and a sportswriter coined the term “Triple Crown” to describe the accomplishment.
She is the older sister of his son’s future wife, Marcela Zabala.
on the 4th of March in the year 1933.
Following that, nearly 60 million people gather around their radios to hear Roosevelt’s first “fireside chat,” which is broadcast live.
California has reinstated the legalization of horse racing betting once more.
A quarter of all Americans are unemployed, and the average annual wage for those who are employed is $1,367.
Seabiscuit is born on May 23, 1934.
1934, in the autumn.
To correct Seabiscuit’s sluggish tendencies, Fitzsimmons whips him with his bare hands.
His encounter with Charles Howard leads to him being hired as a horse trainer for the latter.
The fact that he is racing in poor company does not detract from his lack of victories.
In the Massachusetts town of Suffolk Downs, Tom Smith and Seabiscuit come face-to-face with each other.
Smith leans over the rail and whispers to Seabiscuit, “I’ll see you again,” as he recognizes something special about the horse.
Following a thorough examination of the horse, Tom Smith recommends that Howard purchase Seabiscuit.
Pollard and Seabiscuit, according to Smith, are a good match.
The race will be his fifty-first in his professional career, and the first in which he will demonstrate his newly discovered interest in racing.
During a photo finish, the fierce competition is won by a few millimeters.
Joe DiMaggio leads the New York Yankees to the World Series in his first season as a professional baseball player.
At the polls, President Franklin Roosevelt receives a second resounding victory, this time garnering 61 percent of the vote.
The World’s Fair Handicap is won by Seabiscuit on December 12th.
A skeptical press corps will be waiting for him when he arrives in Santa Anita four days later.
During his first attempt at the Santa Anita Handicap, Seabiscuit is defeated by Rosemont by a nose in a photo finish, on February 27th.
As it prepares to land in Lakehurst, New Jersey, the German airship Hindenburg catches fire and explodes.
May 29 A week after winning the Bay Meadows Handicap, Seabiscuit heads to the East Coast, where he will have the opportunity to prove himself in the heart of horse racing’s illustrious tradition.
During the Brooklyn Handicap race on June 26th, Seabiscuit wins by a head over rival Rosemont and a local horse named Aneroid.
While carrying significantly more weight than his competitors in both races in July, he will easily win the Butler Handicap as well as the Yonkers Handicap in August.
Sixth race of the day, November 6, Seabiscuit easily wins the Riggs Handicap after rival War Admiral is scratched.
Seabiscuit sets a new track record while towing a whopping 130 pounds in his sleigh.
Mid-November marks the beginning of Seabiscuit’s train journey back to California, with stops along the way to meet and greet his adoring fans.
Following the devastating suspension, War Admiral has been named horse of the year by the Turf and Sports Digest publication.
Howard is enraged by the harsh ruling and orders Seabiscuit to stay away from races until Pollard’s suspension is lifted.
On February 1, police in California discovered a plot to harm Seabiscuit by stuffing a sponge up his nose and preventing him from breathing.
Because of rain the night before, Smith has decided to scratch Seabiscuit from his fourth consecutive race, the San Carlos Handicap, on February 19.
5th March – In Seabiscuit’s second appearance in the Santa Anita hundred-grander, George Woolf rides the bay colt while Pollard, who is still recovering from his fall, watches from the grandstand.
Despite the defeat, many people consider Seabiscuit’s performance to be the greatest in the history of horse racing, and they attribute his defeat solely to the weight system and a foul committed by another horse.
Americans pour across the border and into Tijuana, hoping to catch a glimpse of the race.
Howard and War Admiral’s owner, Samuel Riddle, come to an agreement on the terms of a match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral on April 13th.
Howard entices Riddle into the agreement by offering favorable terms for the War Admiral in exchange for a $100,000 purse.
The 20th of May, Seabiscuit and War Admiral pose for a photograph as the city of New York is engulfed in a media frenzy.
When Seabiscuit finishes second in the Stars and Stripes Handicap on June 4, spectators are led to believe that the horse’s best days are over.
Pollard agrees to train Modern Youth, a colt owned by a friend, on June 23rd (Saturday).
There is a lot of pressure on Pollard’s leg.
In the Hollywood Gold Cup on July 16, Seabiscuit defeats Specify and wins, shattering a previous record and re-establishing his prominence.
On August 12, Seabiscuit will compete in a match race at Del Mar against Ligaroti, a horse co-owned by Bing Crosby and Howard’s son Lin.
At Pimlico in Maryland, the horses will come together to compete in a race.
The long-awaited match race takes place on November 1.
a date on the 31st of December According to gossip writer Walter Winchell, Seabiscuit is among the year’s top 10 newsmakers, with President Franklin Roosevelt and Adolf Hitler.
Agnes Conlon, Red Pollard’s former nurse, has proposed to him in the spring.
England and France declare war on Germany on September 3rd (British and French).
In the San Carlos Handicap on February 17, Seabiscuit came in fourth place.
on the 2nd of March As a result, a record-breaking number of spectators attend an American horse race – 75,000 — and witness Pollard guide Seabiscuit to victory in his third attempt in the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap.
Charles Howard’s Ridgewood Ranch is where Seabiscuit will retire on April 10.
7.12.41 was a Sunday in December.
1943 In the wake of back surgery, Tom Smith will be on a lengthy convalescence.
Citation becomes the first horse to win more than $1 million in a single racing season.
Racing enthusiasts are prohibited from attending the race, which is known as the “Streetcar Derby” because of wartime limitations on automobile use.
Vice President Harry Truman takes over the Oval Office when President Franklin D.
‘The Enola Gay’ bomber, operated by the United States, dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, according to President Truman’s announcement.
Horse racing becomes more popular in the United States following World War II.
Seabiscuit passes away at the age of 14 on May 17, 1947.
Man o’War, the greatest thoroughbred of all time, dies at the age of 26 on November 1, 1947, in Arlington, Virginia.
Charles Howard died on June 6, 1950.
Tom Smith died on January 23, 1957.
1964 It marks the fifth consecutive year that Kelso has been crowned Horse of the Year.
In a time of 1 minute 32 and 1/5 seconds, Dr.
Secretariat wins the Triple Crown for the first time in a quarter century on June 9, 1973.
1977 marks the beginning of Affirmed’s rivalry with Alydar, a descendent of War Admiral and one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Red Pollard passed away in 1981.
Marcela Howard died on March 31, 1987.
a day on which to begin on the 12th of January, 2001 The death of the most recent Triple Crown champion, Affirmed (1978), has been confirmed.
Having won the Kentucky Derby in 2006, Barbaro has gained widespread public recognition.
In the months leading up to his death, thousands of admirers send him presents and letters of encouragement, but he would succumb to his injuries in January 2007. Curlin surpasses Cigar as the all-time money winner in history on September 28, 2008, with a total of more than $10 million.
Is Horse Riding Really That Dangerous? And What Can You Do To Reduce The Risk?
The reaction of the yard owner when I informed her that I wouldn’t be able to come to work for a few days because I wanted to rest my leg made me giggle. When I was a lot younger (in fact, I was still in high school), I went skiing and damaged my leg. So, what did she say exactly? “Well, if you’re going to participate in these risky activities, what do you expect?” Now, I understand that skiing might be risky, but wouldn’t the majority of people agree that horseback riding is more dangerous? I’ve long questioned how risky horse riding truly is, and this is something I’ve been thinking about lately.
Horse riding will always have an element of risk to it; after all, horses are live beings with their own minds.
Although it is possible to estimate how dangerous horse riding is with absolute certainty, it is not always possible to do so because, while it is possible to record the number of accidents and injured riders, it is not always possible to determine how often they ride and for how long, how many horses they ride, and how long they have been riding.
That’s why there’s no way to know how risky anything is without making an estimate.
How dangerous is horse riding?
A comparison has been made between the injuries incurred during horse riding accidents and those sustained by participants in motor racing (including automobiles and bikes) or extreme sports such as helicopter skiing, although this comparison does not fully capture the whole story. It’s true that horseback riding is perilous; after all, even if you fall from a pony, you’re still falling a long way; but, what’s more relevant is the likelihood that you’ll get a catastrophic injury while riding.
Although the great majority of horse riding incidents do not necessitate hospitalization, this does not imply that you should dismiss them completely.
For this reason, it’s crucial to get any injury (even if you think you’re not affected) evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Are some disciplines more dangerous than others?
There is a common misconception that no matter what form of horse riding you are involved in, your risks of injury are the same. This is not the case, however. While it may not come as a surprise that sports such as eventing and barrel racing are among the most dangerous, it may come as a surprise to learn that equestrian vaulting is among the safest of all disciplines to participate in. To a certain extent, the pace of the discipline determines not only how risky it is, but also how severe any injuries that may occur as a result of it.
With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the most dangerous sports and activities (with the most dangerous being at the top).
- Eventing, barrel racing, pole bending, trick riding, racing (all forms except barrel racing), showjumping, polo, hunting, dressage, vaulting, and other events are all available.
What are the most common horse riding injuries?
Because the great majority of horseback riding incidents occur when the rider mistakenly ‘leaves’ the horse, it’s no surprise that head injuries are the most prevalent of all riding injuries, with one in every five trips to the emergency room being for some form of hit to the head. Broken arms are the second most prevalent type of injury after head injuries. Although less frequent, some injuries can result in long-term paralysis (usually as a result of spinal cord injury) and, in severe cases, death.
How common are fatal horse riding accidents?
Fortunately, the majority of horse riding incidents do not result in death, especially now that more people are wearing suitable protective riding helmets, but there are around 100 horse riding-related deaths every year in the United States alone. In spite of the fact that this is simply a number, and it doesn’t really tell us anything about how prevalent they are, I felt it would be more useful to compare them with a variety of other causes of death.
| Deaths per year* | |
| Guns | 39,000 |
| Road traffic accidents | 38,800 |
| Accidents around the home | 30,000 |
| Knifes | 1,500 |
| Hypothermia | 700 |
| Horse riding accidents | 100 |
| Hornets / Bees / Wasps | 50 |
| Dog attacks | 48 |
| Snake bites | 5 |
| Grizzly bear attacks | 2 |
| Mountain lion attacks | 0.24 |
Deaths in the United States are expected to reach an approximate total of 1.2 million in 2020.
Is horse riding the most dangerous sport?
Almost every list of hazardous sports will include horse riding somewhere in the top 15, if not the top 10, but the problem with this is that it does not take into consideration the amount of participants in each sport. After all, if two people play tiddlywinks and one of them gets hurt, recording only that will give the impression that the sport is extremely safe, but if you record the percentage of injuries, tiddlywinks would have to be the most dangerous sport on the planet if the percentage of injuries is 50 percent.
But the problem with calculating the proportion of injuries is that not all sports keep track of the number of players, which is especially true if the sport is accessible to anybody who wants to participate from anywhere at any time.
- Motor racing, horseback riding, cheerleading, gymnastics, BASE jumping, bull riding, cycling, boxing, American football, and soccer are some of the sports that are popular.
What can you do to reduce your chance of injury?
Keep in mind that horses are flight animals who can be unpredictable when they are scared. Even if we think we know them, they can still surprise us and catch us off guard, which is why you should always be prepared and behave appropriately when around horses, no matter how familiar you are with them. Remember to be mindful of your actions and what you’re doing; for example, if your horse is sensitive to abrupt noises, turn your phone to mute while out riding. Making sure your horse’s tack is in excellent working order, as well as wearing the appropriate protection clothing, can help to lessen the severity of a fall.
A body protection, as well as correctly fitted riding boots, can help to reduce the risk of damage (especially back injuries in the case of body protectors).
Conclusion
Although I believe we can reasonably conclude that horse riding is risky, it is also tremendously enjoyable, and I believe the vast majority of us would agree that the pleasure it provides surpasses the danger it entails. On top of that, we may take steps to limit our risks of being injured, such as wearing protective equipment. After all, even going outside your front door might be hazardous, therefore it is preferable to be aware of the dangers while continuing to ride – at least, that is what I do!
Further reading
- Learn to ride in 12 simple stages
- How to become a better rider
- And much more. Getting back into riding after a long absence
- What distinguishes Western English from other dialects
- The most important Western disciplines
- Is it really necessary to have spurs? Best-selling gloves: a buyer’s guide equestrian vaulting on horseback
Recommended products
Over the years, I’ve experimented with hundreds of different horse-related things, ranging from different blankets and halters to various treats. Others I’ve liked, some I’ve disliked, but I thought I’d share with you my top five all-time favorite items, the ones I never leave the house without while I’m working in the garden. Please find links to items (which are not listed in any particular order) that I believe are excellent in this article.
- Mane & Tail Detangler– Even if you never show your horse, you’ll need to disentangle his tail (and maybe his mane as well) from time to time, which is always a difficult task! When I put a small amount of detangler through my horse’s tails every few days, I’ve discovered that it prevents them from becoming matted and makes combing them easier, even when they’re coated in muck. I’m not sure if I should mention it or not, but it also works wonderfully on my hair
- I’m not sure how I feel about it. TAKEKIT Pro clippers are a good investment. Over the years, I’ve experimented with a variety of various clippers, and while some were clearly superior than others, I found them to be by far the most effective. However, for me, this is a positive attribute because it gives them the appearance of being more strong and long-lasting than many other clippers. Furthermore, because they have a variety of speeds, they are equally effective at cutting your horse’s back as they are at clipping his face. I also appreciate the fact that they come with a convenient travel bag, but I understand that this is not for everyone. They are made by a fantastic firm that is also wonderfully helpful, which is a big plus in these difficult economic times. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it didn’t come with any oil, but it wasn’t a big deal because it’s not difficult to get lubricant elsewhere. Shire’s ball feeder– There are a plethora of boredom-busting toys available, but I prefer to use this one on a daily basis, regardless of whether or not my horses are feeling bored. Horse safe mirror– This is a strange one that many people are surprised about, but I like to put horse safe mirrors in the trailers as well as in the quarantine stalls to encourage my horses to problem solve. I reward them with treats (or pieces of fruit) when they do so, and it also mimics their natural grazing behavior, which helps to keep them calm and de-stressed. It helps to alleviate the sense of being alone by creating the illusion that other horses are around to provide company. Equine herd animals can get quite anxious when they are left alone, but with the use of these stick-on mirrors they will assume that at least one other horse is present with them, reducing their discomfort. This isn’t glamorous, but it’s critical for your horse’s health to be able to check its temperature on a regular basis, and a rectal thermometer is the most convenient method to do so, which is why I’ve included it on the list: Rectal thermometer
Shopping lists
Besides that, I’ve compiled a few shopping lists of necessities that I’ve found to be very useful over the years. Instead of lumping everything together in one long list, I’ve divided the listings into several sections for your convenience. I hope you found this post to be informative. If you have any information, I would really appreciate it if you could share it with me as it would be quite beneficial to me.
Is Riding a Horse Dangerous? 7 Tips For Riding Safe.
Any links on this page that direct you to things on Amazon are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, I will receive a compensation. Thank you in advance for your assistance — I much appreciate it! Our neighbors’ little boy just suffered a broken collar bone while riding a horse, or rather, when falling from a horse. As a result of his injuries, I became interested in the hazards of horseback riding and started to conduct research on horseback riding accidents and safety. Riding a horse is extremely risky since horses are huge, unpredictable creatures that may inflict damage on their riders in a variety of ways.
The vast majority of horse owners ride their horses on a regular basis and have never had a serious injury as a result.
Riding a horse has inherent risks.
The most of the time, while you’re riding a typical riding horse, you’re going to be sitting more than six feet off the ground on a 1,000-pound animal that can run more than 35 miles in one day. If a horse becomes frightened or makes a rash decision, an accident or injury is almost certain to occur. The most effective method of preventing a horse from spooking is to understand what causes it to startle and to be alert to potential risks.
Strange animals, large groups of people, loud noises, and wasps are all typical triggers. You may be able to take precautions to prevent risks in some cases, but some scenarios may take you completely by surprise, so always maintain control over your animal.
The most common injuries from horseback riding are broken bones and bruises.
We witnessed our neighbor get kicked in the ribs by one of her horses as she was cleaning the horses’ stall for her. Ahorse kick has caused fractured bones in two people in our community in recent weeks, leading me to question whether this is something that happens frequently in our community. Riders who are flung off horses and land on their heads suffer the most serious injuries, which can end in brain damage or paralysis. The most common injuries caused by horses, however, are fractures, bruising, abrasions, and concussions, the majority of which occur when a horse kicks or steps on a human in the face.
You can reduce the risk of injury when riding a horse.
Horseback riding injuries arise as a result of the behavior of the riders or the activities of the horses. Riders with a lot of experience and those who listen to the advise of knowledgeable equestrians are less likely to be harmed.
Horseback riding safety starts with the right equipment.
While horseback riding is a potentially risky activity, there are several precautions you may take to lessen the chance of harm while still having a good time.
Wear a safety helmet when riding a horse.
Riding helmets are intended to protect you against harm as a result of a fall that causes an impact to your head. A properly fitted riding helmet will absorb part of the energy from a collision and spread the impact over a large amount of ground surface. Through the use of a robust external shell, helmets may also protect the wearer’s head from penetrating limbs and sharp objects. A helmet should be properly fitted to your head and secured with a chin strap in order to provide the best possible protection.
Ovation produces high-quality helmets; go here to read Amazon customer reviews and discover why they are the world’s leading equestrian helmet manufacturer.
Helmets are required by law in several areas in the United States for riders under the age of 14.
If you’re interested in learning more about riding helmets for children, you can see my post on the subject here.
Make sure your saddle is the right size for you.
In order to keep you on the horse’s back when riding, it’s critical to have a saddle that fits properly. This is also important for comfort and control. With the proper saddle size, both you and your horse will perform better and feel more comfortable on your rides. Choosing the proper fit for a Western saddle is similar to choosing the perfect fit for an English saddle. Move yourself to the saddle pocket once you have settled into the seat. If the saddle is properly proportioned, you should be able to insert two fingers between the swells of the saddle and the inside of your leg.
When riding on a western saddle, so much room would most certainly be excessive and might lead you to flop around.
Saddle pads are quite important when it comes to properly fitting a saddle on a horse. More information about saddle pads and how to pick the best one for your horse may be found here for English-style riding and here for Western-style riding, respectively.
Check the tack before mounting.
Get into the habit of completing a safety check on your equipment before riding a horse, just like you would before taking a ride in an airplane. Some injuries can be avoided by doing a safety check. Check for cracks and worn places in the saddle, girth, bit, bridle, reins, and stirrups, as well as the reins and stirrups. Maintaining leather requires cleaning and re-oiling it every two to four weeks, as recommended by the manufacturer. Dry rot and fracture are caused by improper leather maintenance.
Wear proper riding attire.
When riding, it is necessary to dress correctly, with the most important piece of clothing being adequate footwear. It is recommended that you wear a pair of sturdycowboy boots in case a horse steps on your feet. The boots should have a heel to prevent your foot from falling through the stirrup and being caught. Riding your horse while wearing jeans that are tailored to your shape but do not limit movement is recommended. Jeans, jodhpurs, and breeches are all suitable options. Shorts, flip-flops, and sandals should never be worn in public.
Gloves are useful for holding on to the reins and preventing them from sliding out of your grasp.
To read my evaluation of children’s riding vests, please visit this page.
Sound decisions can reduce the chances of injury.
The most effective approach to learn to ride safely is to enroll in riding lessons with an experienced riding teacher. Experienced riders may give invaluable insights that will help you not only learn to ride but also gain confidence in your horse-handling abilities as well. It is essential to master the fundamentals of any new hobby correctly; this is especially true when it comes to equestrian riding. The majority of beginner riding classes include instruction on how to equip and lead a horse, as well as verbal cues that are used in conjunction with physical indications.
After that, you may start strolling and trotting with your animal, and soon you can start running with it.
Cleaning and grooming are two crucial lessons that are often ignored.
Riding lessons can not ensure that you will not get harmed while riding, but they do lessen the likelihood of injury and help you become a more confident rider.
Be familiar with the area you intend to ride in.
Unless you have much riding experience, you should not ride alone in an open field, arena, or pasture if you are inexperienced. Before you begin riding, inspect the region in which you intend to ride to make sure there are no holes or risky terrain to contend with. When trail riding in a group, maintain a distance of at least one horse length between yourself and the horse you’re following. You should also pay attention to the other riders.
Recognize their skill levels as well as the temperament of the horses under their care. Do not ride your newly purchased horse or your green horse on a trail ride where there are many other horses, or near a road. If you are still learning about horses, ride in a fenced area.
Ride a horse that fits your skill level.
When selecting a horse to ride, the most important consideration is safety. To learn how to ride, you need a seasoned horse that is eager to work and has a calm, steady temperament; a horse that anybody can saddle and ride without being concerned about the horse’s disposition. Riding a horse that is not appropriate for your ability level may be both annoying and hazardous at the same time. Being on the back of a frightened animal that leaps when it perceives shadows is not something you want to be doing.
Is the horse calm and tolerant when being led to the corral and tied up?
These are indications that the horse is not comfortable or that the rider is too enthusiastic for the animal.
Riding a horse is dangerous, but the risk of injury can be reduced.
Riding a horse is perilous; yet, it is unclear how dangerous it is. Using limited data, the majority of the research attempt to quantify risk. For example, how many individuals ride horses, how many times a horse owner rides each week, and so on. However, studies have shown that the risk of injury is proportional to the amount of equestrian activity performed by the individual. Showjumping, for example, is far more risky than recreational horseback riding. The sport of horseback riding is a pleasurable exercise, but it does carry a danger of harm.
Related articles:
- Children’s Horse Riding Body Protectors
- Best Horse Riding Helmets
- Best Horse Riding Body Protectors for Children Is it Legal to Ride a Barefoot Horse on the Highway? 10 Points to Keep in Mind
- The 12 Horse Coat Colors: Patterns, Genetics, and Photographic Illustrations
- What Does a Horse Eat and Drink? A Feeding Guide that Is Required
- How to Move a Horse into a New Home: The Complete Guide
- How to Move a Horse into a New Home: The Complete Guide
Horse Riding More Dangerous Than Skiis And Motorcycles, Injury Data Reveal
Instead of being a companion in labor for many individuals in the United States, horses are more likely to be partners in sport and leisure activities. However, it is a pleasure that may come with a cost, one that many riders should consider more seriously. It has been revealed how many individuals have been admitted to hospital as a consequence of injuries incurred when horse riding, according to a research conducted on a decade’s worth of data from the United States National Trauma Data Bank.
Horseback riding led in more hospitalizations than skiing when the two activities were compared hour for hour.
A prior research conducted in the United Kingdom discovered that the injury rate for motorcyclists was around 0.14 for every 1,000 hours of riding.
This is not meant to discourage anyone from enjoying a day out on the trails with their motorcycle.
Researchers write in their report, which was published in the British Medical Journal’s Trauma SurgeryAcute Care Open journal, that “recently, some attention has been paid by equestrian sporting agencies to the use of protective equipment to prevent injuries, particularly as it relates to concussion and brain injuries.” The National Institutes of Health reports that “relatively few public health initiatives have focused on reducing injuries in riders who utilize horses for both recreational and professional purposes.” This isn’t the first research to compile a list of the kind of injuries that Americans are most likely to get when horseback riding.
- Because most past study has been restricted to certain geographical areas, it is difficult to determine if the nation as a whole is exposed to the same hazards.
- However, given what we now know, the outcome may not come as a complete surprise to us.
- It is estimated that around 37% of persons who are wounded while horse riding seek medical treatment for damage to their thoracic region (chest and upper back), making it the most often injured section of the body.
- It was discovered that a tiny number of patients (less than 4 percent) had a worrying degree of awareness, one that indicated serious neurological damage.
- Only little more than a quarter of all admissions would be admitted to critical care, with one out of every 10 patients arriving at the hospital in need of surgery.
- However, in around 7% of instances, leaving the hospital resulted in admittance into rehab, if not a nursing institution.
- Essentially, it is a list of statistics that does not have to be as long as it appears.
- This is in response to a major attention on the hazards of brain damage.
- Let’s take it from the experts, who have concluded that stronger advertising for protective gear and “knowledge of injury patterns” will allow us to continue to enjoy this popular activity while also minimizing the number of fatalities and serious injuries.
This study was published in the BMJ Journals Trauma SurgeryAcute Care Open, which is an open access journal.
Why Horses Are Dangerous (But Worth the Risk!)
When I first started riding horses seriously, I was paralyzed by terror on a regular basis. Although I actually like horses and riding, my pre-teen self was plagued by fears and “what-ifs” about the future. What if I didn’t meet my trainer’s expectations? What if my horse couldn’t comprehend what I was saying? What if something terrible has just.happen? Although my “what-if” thinking remained with me far into adulthood, I eventually recognized that there was a great deal I could do to reduce the likelihood of having a dangerous horse encounter.
For newcomers to the sport, it is very normal to spend a significant amount of time worrying about them!
While horses can be dangerous, risks can be significantly reduced by acquiring information, maintaining situational awareness, and using safety equipment when working with them.
Is Horseback Riding Dangerous?
Anyone who contemplates horseback riding, whether for a short vacation, a trail ride, or a lifelong passion, must realize that horses are half-ton creatures with the potential to inflict significant injury to themselves and others. Injuries caused by falling off, getting kicked, and being bitten are the three most prevalent types of horse riding injuries. However, if you question any seasoned equestrian about how the hazards involved with horses impact their decisions to ride, the great majority will tell you that danger and injury are a minor aspect of horse riding and pale in contrast to the allure of the horse/human interaction that riding provides.
Furthermore, you may reduce the danger of horseback riding by doing the following:
- Being prepared
- Remaining calm
- And learning to “Speak Horse” are all important.
Let us take a closer look at each of these protective methods.
Be Prepared
The first and most crucial step in reducing danger while working with horses is to be well-prepared and safety-minded. Practical readiness should include, at a bare least, a well fitted helmet, appropriate boots, and the guidance of a certified coach or mentoring. Head injuries account for more than half of all equine-related deaths, despite the fact that they are uncommon in contrast to the overall number of riders out there and the amount of time they spend in the saddle. Tipperary helmets that are ASTM-SEI approved are available on Amazon.
- Concussions, severe brain injuries, and mortality in horse-related incidents are all significantly reduced when riders wear helmets, according to research.
- A minimum of 1 inch heel is required for horseback riding boots in order to reduce the likelihood of becoming accidently caught in the stirrups during a fall and being dragged behind the horse.
- However, hiring a trained and educated equestrian guide is just as important as having the proper safety equipment.
- The first lesson you’ll want to learn is how to dismount in an emergency situation.
- Despite the fact that it is rarely necessary with a well-trained horse, any horse is capable of getting fearful and responding in an unpredictable manner.
Please watch the following short film to see an example: Check out Horse Rookie’s list of horse riding safety equipment that is well worth the investment in order to reduce your chance of harm.
Stay Calm
If you haven’t already noticed, horses are extremely intelligent creatures, and you will soon discover why. They are also flight animals, which means that any anxiety they detect in their surrounding “herd” (whether it be horses or humans) will have an impact on their own mental and emotional well-being. When I introduce someone to equestrian riding, my first advise is usually a single word: “Relax.” This is true no matter who I am talking to. When you appear frightened, it is common for the horse to get nervous as well.
Instead, they merely detect your anxiety and believe that your emotions are alerting them to a more serious threat.
When you relax, on the other hand, you send a signal to the horse that everything is well.
Here’s a little video on how to relax in order to let your horse to rest: Do you want to calm down those butterflies in your stomach?
Learn to “Speak Horse”
Understanding how a horse’s mind works is a lifelong endeavor for all equestrians, not just those who are just starting out. Beginner horse riders can gain valuable insight into equine behavior by studying fundamental equine psychology. Horses are herd animals, which is the first and most crucial thing to understand about them. “Who is the leader?” is a question that always emerges in the wilderness. Even though herd dynamics are always changing, this dilemma continues since the hierarchy of the herd determines the safety of the herd.
- It doesn’t matter how little you know about horses; merely stating your limits will go a long way toward earning your horse’s respect and confidence in the process.
- In spite of this, it is in their nature to push the boundaries every now and then.
- Another thing to keep in mind is that horses may be easily spooked, so avoid making large, rapid movements in their vicinity when around them.
- A powerful yet tranquil presence will help to build trust between you and any horses you come across on your journey.
- They are hardwired for collaboration, which implies that they want to be at ease with the people who are riding with them.
Instead of simply honing a talent and expanding our understanding of a passion, we get to do both. We have the opportunity to engage with extraordinary, incredibly perceptive creatures who sincerely want to be our companions.
About Lindsey Rains
Besides being an equestrian blogger, Lindsey is also the founder of Alta Mira Horsemanship. In her work, she emphasizes the need of communication between horse and rider, as well as the importance of humane training approaches. She and her husband live in Auburn, Washington, USA, where she works as a non-profit administrator during the day. Her social media accounts include a blog, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. P.S. Did you find this article interesting? Go to the following address:
- 32 things you can do right now to put an end to your riding anxieties for good
- The 8 Best Horse Riding Helmets for Cooling Off in Hot Weather Horseback Riding Boots for Lessons: 13 of the Best Are you afraid of riding your horse? Get your mojo back in action
- What are some methods for gaining confidence when horseback riding
- How frequently should horseback riding helmets be replaced to be safe or to be sorry? Start with putting your asana in the saddle: 5 yoga recommendations for equestrians
- Three reasons why horseback riding is (very) enjoyable
Continuing Your Education
Risks of Injury & Risk Management
The danger of injury or mortality associated with horseback riding has been compared unfavorably to the hazards associated with motorcycling, extreme sports, and illicit drug use, among other activities. What is the level of hazard associated with horse riding? A considerable number of large-scale surveys and evaluations of injury data from health-care providers and other government agencies are required in order to estimate risk. None of these sources is without flaws, and the numbers that are generated will only provide a partial view of the situation.
- For comparisons of risk with other activities, it is necessary to know the total number of riders, the number of horses they ride, how frequently they ride, for how many hours, and for which activities they ride.
- A survey from the 1980s is frequently cited in support of the assertion that horse riding is 20 times more risky than motorcycle riding.
- No one can deny that horse riding has the potential to be harmful, even if quantifying that threat is impossible to do so.
- In addition, numerous injuries are inflicted when on the ground in the vicinity of horses.
- Some seemingly simple acts, such as walking a horse out to its pasture, can result in lethal kicks to the head.
- (Department for Transport).
- Otherwise, the number of deaths due to horse riding or contact with horses away from roads is uncertain.
For every equestrian related death there may be approximately 7 or 8 very serious injuries.
Of injuries seen at hospitals, head injuries are the commonest; about one fifth of the total.
Fortunately the majority of head injuries are not severe but even minor head injuries can be significant.
The increased use of protective riding hats is most probably responsible for a significant reduction in the proportion of fatal head injuries recorded in the USA over the past thirty years.
This is inherent to the guidance given by qualified instructors and the organisations that represent equestrianism.
Within equestrian sport, the British Horseracing Authority and British Eventing have systems for monitoring accidents and injuries and implementing innovative measures to reduce these.
In simple terms, there are two important things for any rider to think about regarding risk management.
This ought to include reflection on whether they are attempting the right thing on the right horse at the right time.
This includes the horse’s tack (for example checking that stirrup leathers are in good condition) and personal protective equipment – most importantly their protective hat. Experience and being prepared to ask for advice and listen to others, especially good instructors, will build on these points.
How Dangerous Is Horseback Riding?
The Hideout is where PC is located. You should be aware of the hazards associated with whatever you are doing. Horseback riding is a serious activity that should not be taken lightly. It may be really harmful! Horses are responsible for a significant number of injuries seen in hospitals, owing to their sheer size and unpredictable nature. Although you should not sell your horse, you should learn safe handling and riding practices to keep it in good condition.
How does horseback riding compare?
Stacy Westfall posted some intriguing facts on her blog, which you should read. Riding was recognized as the sixth most hazardous sport in the world.
- Football, basketball, cycling, skateboarding, baseball, softball, horseback riding, ice hockey, lacrosse, golf, and tennis are some of the sports available.
Type of Injuries
The most vulnerable parts of your body are your upper extremities, which include your wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Lower limbs such as the knee, ankle, and foot are frequently injured while participating in rodeo-related activities. While the majority of incidents occur in the saddle, there are those that occur on the ground. Lower back strains might arise as a result of exerting too much effort on your body. Bruises, strains, and sprains are the most often reported injuries. Broken bones and dislocations do, however, occur from time to time in the sport.
These are generally caused by a traumatic brain injury.
According to a research conducted by the National Trauma Databank, 45.2 percent of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) were caused by horseback riding!
How to Stay Safe
This information should serve as an encouragement to you to remain safe. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
- Wearing an authorized riding helmet, wearing appropriate gear and clothing, breaking away stirrups, and wearing a chest protection (particularly for eventing) are all recommended.
For the sake of their passion for the sport, many individuals are prepared to take a chance. Recognize the hazards and exercise caution! Make sure to check our ‘New Stylish Helmet Designs For Western Riders’ for more information!
Motor Mouth: Riding a horse is more dangerous than riding a motorcycle
To take a quick poll, how many of you out there in Drivingland have had the traditional “birds and the bees” debate with your parents at some point in your lives? You’re talking about The Talk. There was some extremely strange discussion of “honey” having to be “extracted” from the bees — only married bees, mind you — as well as some obscure references to flowers and unicorns. Although this advertisement has not yet been loaded, your article continues below it. After that, I’ll move on to the second portion of my quasi-poll: Which of you motorcyclists had the “over my dead body” conversation with your parents after telling them — in the not-inconsistent words that only a 12-year-old can manage — that you’d die if you didn’t get a new mini-bike for your birthday?
Despite the fact that I have no data from either Angus Reid or Ipsos, I’m going to take a gamble at this one and suppose that the former, despite its place in cinematic history and use as material for much stand-up comedy banter, was a fairly common occurrence in the latter.
Although this advertisement has not yet been loaded, your article continues below it.
My mother, like the majority of moms, was sure that riding a motorcycle was a death sentence. A message that I assume was echoed in kitchens throughout the country was that no other sport was even nearly as likely to take her baby away from her as boxing was.
- To take a quick poll, how many of you out there in Drivingland have had the traditional “birds and the bees” debate with your parents at some point in your lives? You’re talking about The Talk. There was some extremely strange discussion of “honey” having to be “extracted” from the bees — only married bees, mind you — as well as some obscure references to flowers and unicorns. Although this advertisement has not yet been loaded, your article continues below it. After that, I’ll move on to the second portion of my quasi-poll: Which of you motorcyclists had the “over my dead body” conversation with your parents after telling them — in the not-inconsistent words that only a 12-year-old can manage — that you’d die if you didn’t get a new mini-bike for your birthday? As in, you needed one as soon as possible or you were going to flee (OK, that last bit might have been just me). Despite the fact that I have no data from either Angus Reid or Ipsos, I’m going to take a gamble at this one and suppose that the former, despite its place in cinematic history and use as material for much stand-up comedy banter, was a fairly common occurrence in the latter. The fact of the situation is that few of us, at least those of my generation, were ever given any guidance on when, when, and most importantly, how to wield our “shame branch” — Robin Williams’ term for, well, you know — when we were enraged. Although this advertisement has not yet been loaded, your article continues below it. On the other hand, it is quite uncommon that a fledgling biker-to-be is never given to the sit-down lecture that motorbikes are the most hazardous objects on the earth. My mother, like the majority of moms, was sure that riding a motorcycle was a death sentence. A message that I assume was echoed in kitchens throughout the country was that no other sport was even nearly as likely to take her baby away from her as boxing was.
Motor Mouth: Driving’s view on noisy motorcycles
As it turns out, Mom was, to put it mildly — and I can only say this now that she has passed on to a better place — a jerk with a lot of attitude. As a matter of fact, according to a slew of recent studies, riding motorbikes is statistically safer than a variety of other activities such as horseback riding and downhill skiing, both of which my naive professor was enthusiastic about. Although this advertisement has not yet been loaded, your article continues below it. The unadvertised hazards of horseback riding, I believe, will come as a surprise to many people.
- No one disputes that motorcycle accidents result in more deaths than horse accidents, but according to another research, this one from British Columbia, motorcycling is safer on a per-hour basis than equestrian accidents.
- There are around 0.14 significant injuries per 1,000 hours of riding on two wheels, but there are 0.49 major injuries per 1,000 hours of riding on four hoofs, according to the research.
- Almost a quarter of people who attend a hospital as a consequence of a horseback riding accident end up in intensive care, and a further 10% require major surgical intervention.
- Although this advertisement has not yet been loaded, your article continues below it.
- Photo courtesy of Getty Images The parallels in the injuries sustained, as well as the manner in which they occur, make this horse-versus-horsepower comparison even more intriguing.
- A second finding showed that those aged 50 to 59 were the most likely to seek treatment at a trauma center after falling from a horse, a finding that is consistent with the fact that older born-again bikers (BUBs) are overrepresented in motorcycle accident statistics.
This is a mechanism that has been replicated by the fact that all three deaths in world championship motorcycle racing this year — a particularly bad year statistically — have resulted from the falling rider being struck by either his or her own motorcycle or the motorcycles of riders following him.
Although this advertisement has not yet been loaded, your article continues below it.
As an example, while there is a legal requirement in Ontario for anybody under the age of 18 to wear a helmet when horseback riding, anecdotal evidence suggests that the helmet rule is not strictly enforced.
Motorcyclists, on the other hand, at least in Canada, are required to wear skid-lids at all times when riding.
My mother, like the majority of moms, was sure that riding a motorcycle was a death sentence.
Christopher Reeve, arguably the most well-known of recent equestrian injuries, was thrown from his horse during the Commonwealth Dressage and Combined Training Association championships in Culpeper, Virginia, when it just refused to leap the third fence.
In addition, a horse rider sits at least twice as high in the saddle as a cyclist, and it is believed that this greater height is to account for at least some of the more serious injuries sustained by horse riders.
Nonetheless, my mother would have had fewer sleepless nights if I had opted to jump horses rather than get the Honda CT70 that she eventually agreed to purchase.
Not to mention being attacked by drunken louts — that should be read “bosses” — at New Year’s Eve parties about jeopardizing the future of my children, or getting chastised by my family doctor for being a bad parent.
A student who is getting motorbike instruction and putting in some riding time.
Are the risks associated in this situation unknown to anyone?
What if there is a coordinated media campaign to downplay the hazards of Dutch Warmbloods and Hanoverian jumpers by demonizing the Valentino Rossis of the world?
No, I don’t believe so.
The human nature, it appears, permits us to forgive that which we consider to be polite while railing against that which we consider to be base — regardless of how much statistical fact may suggest that the contrary should be true.
Hopefully, for the sake of everyone’s safety, she is unsuccessful.
Your agreement to receive the aforementioned newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
You may unsubscribe from our emails at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link included at the bottom of each email we send. The Postmedia Network, Inc. is located at 365 Bloor Street East in downtown Toronto, Ontario, and may be reached at 416-383-2300.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email has been sent to you. It’s possible that you’ve accidentally deleted it. Please check your garbage folder. The next edition of Driving.ca’s Blind-Spot Monitor will be delivered to your email shortly after that. There was a problem when we tried to sign you up. Please try your search again.
Notice for the Postmedia Network
Cookies are used on this website to customise your content (including advertisements) and to analyze traffic on the website. More information about cookies may be found here. The fact that you are continuing to use our site indicates that you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.