How Hard Does A Horse Kick? (Perfect answer) - Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

At the speed of 200 mph, a horse can kick with a force of 1,200 pounds per square inch. Some horses can kick with a force of up to 2,000 pounds. That’s much stronger than a punch of any professional boxer on the planet. Horse kicks are naturally strong because of their size.

How hard can a horse kick? With an approximate speed of 200mph, an average horse can kick with a force of around 2,000 pounds of force per square inch. To put that into perspective that’s more than the hardest punch any professional boxer could ever punch and is enough to kill a person.

How painful is a horse kick?

A horse’s kick is extremely powerful and can cause severe, even fatal injuries. Many riders have experienced broken bones, deep lacerations from a hoof, and even cardiac arrest if the kick landed on their chest. It is also extremely possible to suffer from head injuries that can be fatal if the impact was extreme.

How powerful is a horse kick?

Horses can kick hard enough to kill. Their kicking force is estimated to be 2, 000 psi, with an average speed of 200 miles per hour. That is technically more than how hard any skilled boxer could ever punch.

How many joules is a horse kick?

None of the energy levcls in table 3 arc largc; thc energy of a horse kick has been estimated as being at least 400 Joules.

What animal kicks hardest?

Strongest Kick: Zebra – Kicks with About 3,000 Pounds of Force. Between the well-known force behind the kick of a red kangaroo and a giraffe, you might be surprised to read that the zebra beats them both. When threatened, an adult zebra can kill a fully grown male African lion with a single blow to the body.

Can a horse kick break your femur?

To break the femur, the hardest bone in the human body, a horse needs to deliver 4,000 Newtons of pressure, which is probably why my leg didn’t break. However, other softer bones like an ulna or tibia may break much more easily—not to mention the knee!

Will a horse kick you if you stand behind it?

Will a horse kick you if you stand behind it Walking behind a horse has its risks but a moving target is less likely to be kicked than a stationary one. Sometimes tail braiding requires a more square on approach but you should always exercise caution and pay attention to the cues your horse is giving you.

Do horses get hard?

Stallions have a vascular penis. When non-erect, it is quite flaccid and contained within the sheath. The retractor penis muscle is relatively underdeveloped. Erection and protrusion take place gradually, by the increasing tumescence of the erectile vascular tissue in the corpus cavernosum penis.

Can a horse kick break bones?

Horses kick to defend themselves, but they also kick to display dominance, blow off energy, or when frustrated. A horses’ kick is powerful; it can break bones and most certainly kill you. Some people believe their horse is a chronic kicker and accept its bad behavior.

How hard can an average person kick?

The average adult human can kick with 1,000 pounds of force. The average child can deliver 600 pounds of force. The force of a kick can also be altered by the kind of kicking motion that is used to deliver the force.

What happens when a horse kicks you in the chest?

If the kick lands on your chest, you can have fractured bones or significant lacerations from a hoof, and it can even result in cardiac problems. You might also suffer from concussions, which can in rare cases be deadly if the collision is severe.

Can horses kick sideways?

Most horses kick by lifting the hind legs forward and kicking back in a sideways motion. Another kicking motion is known as the “cow kick,” which is a strike forward with the hind leg usually aimed at someone standing alongside the horse at the rib cage.

What kicks harder a horse or a donkey?

Pound for pound, donkeys are 2-3 times stronger than a horse, but a large horse’s kick would have more power behind it.

What is the most badass animal?

The Guinness book has declared the honey badger as “the world’s most fearless animal.” It looks like a weird skunk or, from the front, like a tiny bear wearing an old man’s toupée, and it’s got the personality to match.

Does a cow or horse kick harder?

Unlike horses, cows can kick in almost any direction with ease. They also have a much better “one inch punch”. When you walk behind a horse, you with want to walk WAY back, or right next it it’s rear end. Even a draft horse can’t generate much more than a hard shove abou a foot behind it.

How Hard Can A Horse Kick?

While grooming one of my geldings the other day, I managed to get my foot caught between his legs, which hurt a lot, especially considering how cold it was outside. However, even though I know he didn’t kick me, this incident got me wondering about how powerful a horse’s kick may be. Several of my acquaintances were unable to provide an answer, so I decided to conduct some study on the matter and was shocked by what I discovered. What is the maximum force that a horse can kick? An ordinary horse can kick with a force of around 2,000 pounds per square inch while traveling at a speed of approximately 200 miles per hour.

The ideal course of action, of course, is to avoid getting kicked in the first place altogether.

How strong is a horse’s kick?

Even while it seems impressive, the fact that a horse’s kick can provide 2,000 pounds of force does not actually tell us anything; yes, it sounds like a lot, but it is difficult to appreciate what the figure truly means unless you compare it to other forces. I discovered that comparing the force of a horse’s kick to other forces was the most palpable method to demonstrate their strength. The chart below displays the power of a horse’s kick in comparison to a number of other forces.

T-Rex bite	13,000
MLB player swing	8,314
Crocodile bite	5,000
PGA golf swing	4,000
Great White Shark bite	3,800
Horse kick	2,000
Hippopotamus bite	1,800
Heavyweight boxer punch	1,420
Gorilla bite	1,300
Lion bite	1,235
Polar Bear bite	1,200
Grizzly Bear bite	975

You would imagine that a kick will be more forceful if the horse is wearing shoes, but while it will undoubtedly hurt a lot more, the amount of force delivered will be no more than otherwise. Horse kicks have a tremendous amount of force, as you can see, and they are certainly not something you want to be on the receiving end of. Although horses prefer not to kick and will typically warn you before they do so, if you choose to disregard the warnings, the horse will kick, albeit he will not necessarily utilize his full strength in doing so.

What does it feel like to be kicked by a horse?

Unfortunately, many horse owners have experienced what it’s like to be kicked by a horse and how painful it can be. The majority of these kicks, on the other hand, are unintentional, as the horse was not attempting to ‘harm’ the victim. Despite this, horse kicks may be quite painful, and many emergency room doctors compare the injuries received from a horse kick to the types of damage sustained when someone is struck by a car going at 20 mph.

How dangerous is a horse’s kick?

Horses seldom kick humans intentionally; instead, it’s usually a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, this does not make the kick any less painful. It’s possible to wind up with a severe bruise that lasts for a long time (the longest I’ve ever had a bruise was just over a month), if you are lucky. The alternative is that you might wind up with fractured bones as well as a significant amount of tissue damage, if not more serious injuries. One of the most important questions to ask is where the horse kicks you.

A kick to the chest might be enough to induce cardiac arrest, whilst a kick to the head (which is fortunately rare) has a high likelihood of being deadly. The great majority of horse kicks, on the other hand, will result in fractured bones.

How many people die from a horse’s kick every year?

Despite the fact that a horse’s kick can be exceedingly hazardous and even lethal, this does not imply that it occurs on a regular basis. Around 20 people die every year in horse-related events, but while this may seem like a large number, the great majority are caused by accidents rather than by kicks to the head. In reality, kicks account for fewer than 15 percent of all fatalities, with 0.6 persons dying on average every year as a result of being kicked by a horse on average. To put this in context, there are around 30 million horse riders in the United States alone, which means that the likelihood of being killed by a horse kick is quite low.

That is not to argue, however, that you should not be concerned about being kicked by a horse.

How can you protect yourself from a horse’s kick?

All of us understand the need of being cautious around horses, but is there anything else you can do to protect yourself from a horse’s kick, or at the very least reduce the severity of its impact? If your horse does not require shoes, then having them removed would lessen the severity of the kick. However, wearing a helmet would assist to lessen the severity of a head kick, and wearing a body protector would also provide some protection for your torso. There is no doubt that you can put on your boots, but while there are many riding boots available with steel capped toes, there are none that will protect your shins or legs.

This will make it much more difficult for him to kick you, even if he does it unintentionally.

I regularly get my horse equipment from horse.com since their customer service is excellent, they provide free shipping on purchases over $75, and, best of all, they are now providing a 15 percent discount!

How likely are you to be kicked by a horse?

Every animal has its own ‘weapon(s)’ that it can use to defend itself; cats have their claws and fangs, rhinos have their horns, and horses have their teeth but they also have their hooves; yet, this does not imply that they can wield them like swords to defend themselves. Horses, on the other hand, are peaceful creatures who do not tend to be violent, and as a result, they are far more likely to express their displeasure with what you’re doing or their displeasure with anything before they will really kick you.

It should be noted that in the event of a horse becoming terrified, agitated, or in great pain, they could suddenly kick, although this is quite unusual.

How fast can a horse kick?

A horse can kick at a maximum speed of 75 mph (121 kph), which is why you should exercise caution while around them, especially if you don’t know the horse well or if you aren’t skilled in reading and understanding a horse’s body language.

Can a horse kick sideways?

horses can and do kick sideways, but these kicks, known as ‘cow kicks,’ are not as forceful as normal kicks since they are directed in a different direction. Having saying that, they are still capable of causing significant harm and are highly likely to break your leg if you happen to be standing in the wrong location at the wrong moment when they strike.

Can a kick from a horse kill you?

It is possible for a horse’s kick (even a sideways kick) to be deadly if it strikes you in the incorrect location. Fortunately, while it is conceivable for a horse to kill a human simply by kicking him, this is a very unusual event.

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.

How Hard Can a Horse Kick? Common Signs and Tips Revealed • Horsezz

Horses are extremely powerful creatures, and their kicks may have a force of up to 1,000 pounds per square inch when they are kicked. 13 elephants would be required to lift this amount of weight! The risk of horse kicks may be easily understood when you realize that a modest automobile weighs around 4,500 pounds on its own two wheels. Never approach a horse from behind or from the side if you don’t want to get kicked by him. Before contacting them, make sure they are aware of your identity. If you’re in close proximity to them, don’t turn your back on them.

This article discusses the most typical indicators of a horse kick and how to recognize them.

Why Do Horses Kick?

Horses kick for a variety of different causes. When they’re worried or nervous, they tend to do this more frequently. Kicks, on the other hand, can occur when horses are simply playing with one another. Horses may be quite sensitive, and any unexpected movements on the side of people can cause them to become anxious and fearful. Animals may also act out as a result of pain caused by injuries, disease, or discomfort caused by tack or shoeing, among other things. Horses are prone to kicking out in response to a rapid change in their environment.

Horses are incapable of feeling a desire to “get even with” people.
They may kick you out of the path if you are in danger.
On uneven terrain, they are more inclined to stomp with their rear feet rather than kick with their front feet since it is less dangerous for them.
Horses taught excessively forcefully on racetracks, where kicking methods are employed instead of gentle training, are an example of what I’m talking about.
Some horse owners use a whip or another instrument to strike the hindquarters of an unruly animal when the animal becomes belligerent.
When this procedure is used, the horse’s muscles tense up all throughout its body as a result of the agony it is experiencing.
Because their bodies are already set up for both protection and offense, they are more effective.

It takes time for the muscular spasms caused by being struck with whips or other instruments such as riding crops to subside completely. In order for the horse to be less likely to make contact with individuals who are approaching him too closely, it is necessary to train him to kick.

How to Protect Yourself From Horse Kicks?

When you’re around horses, be sure you’re wearing appropriate riding gear. Always remember to put your riding helmet on before going for a ride. Quality helmets offer a strong shock-absorbing characteristic that keeps the wearer’s head safe from head injuries. Riding gloves, long sleeves, and breeches should also be worn while riding. Horse kick-related injuries will be less likely to occur if you use this type of equipment. Protective boots on a horse may be able to mitigate the effects of a horse kick in some situations.

The one who has received instruction on how to deal with their kicks.

Try everything you can to avoid displaying any symptoms of discomfort or nervousness in the vicinity of the animal.

How Strong Is a Horse Kick?

The force of a horse’s kick may reach 1,200 pounds per square inch while traveling at 200 miles per hour. Some horses can kick with a force of up to 2,000 pounds, and they are quite powerful. That is far more powerful than any punch delivered by any professional boxer on the globe. Horse kicks are inherently powerful due to the size of the animal. When a horse reaches full maturity, its height can range between six and seven feet in height. The length of the hind limb alone is around four or five inches in total length.

Maintaining balance on two legs at all times is crucial!

As a result, they will always be capable of inflicting serious bodily harm on anyone who comes too close to them.

One fast movement like this might easily rip through the skin, posing a major threat to those unfortunate persons who happen to be close.

Can a Horse Kick Kill You?

Horse kicks are exceedingly hazardous and should be avoided at all costs. People who work with horses are at risk of dying from this disease, which is among the most prevalent causes of mortality. Not only that, but it doesn’t often take much to set off a riot. Sometimes all it takes is an unintentional nudge from behind or any other harmless encounter to set off this dreadful chain of events in motion. A single hoof may be as long as five inches in length and be powerful enough to deliver strikes with its force.

This implies that they are capable of inflicting major bodily injury on anyone who comes too close to them without being provoked in any way.

The kick may leave a visible bruise on your body, which may fade over the course of a few weeks.

The severity of the consequences is determined on the area in which you were kicked. A kick to the chest has the potential to cause shattered ribs. A kick to the head is the most hazardous thing that can happen. Because it has the potential to be deadly.

How Bad Does a Horse Kick Hurt?

There are several hazards, including pierced lungs, fractured ribs, and even death, if one is kicked by a horse, to mention a few. Professor Chiara Spagnoli-Nitti of the University of Cambridge presented the results of an experiment she conducted on soccer players. Each participant was smacked on the shin with a wooden stick before being instructed to kick at her team’s goalposts at a variety of various distances. The kicker did not experience any discomfort when kicking near to their body, however the kicker had much more discomfort as the distance between them rose.

If he had been hit closer to the body and had less time to lose energy before collision happened, he would have fared better.

Because they do not have a protecting spine, this is the area where they are most susceptible.

What to Do if a Horse Kicked You?

Maintain your composure, evaluate the injuries, and seek medical assistance. The most crucial thing to do is to maintain as much stillness as possible until you can get professional assistance. This will aid in the reduction of bleeding and the prevention of future harm to any injuries that have occurred. If a person has received a kick from a horse that has rendered them unconscious for more than five minutes, they should seek medical assistance. Otherwise, it has resulted in any other significant injuries, such as shattered bones, bleeding wounds, organ lacerations, and so on.

First, make sure the person is breathing normally and appears to be in stable condition before transferring them. If there is a possibility of shattered bones, avoid moving them unless absolutely essential. Imprison joints by holding limbs in a straight position so that they do not generate more discomfort when moved
If the individual has passed out as a result of serious trauma, it may be advisable to call emergency services immediately rather than waiting for assistance.

How to Tell if a Horse Is Going to Kick?

The following are some frequent warning indications that your horse is preparing to kick: ears back, head down, tail stiff or flicking behind them, among others. One other thing to keep an eye out for is any abrupt tensing up of their hindquarters (i.e., they will be holding themselves very stiffly). Additionally, pawing with one or both front feet may be necessary. This can occur even if it’s simply in the air ahead of them — kicking out at you can often occur a few seconds before this occurs!

Because there would have been some form of repercussion following the first offense, such as being yelled at or harshly disciplined, among other things.

If you suspect that you are about to get kicked, you can take a variety of steps to protect yourself:

Maintain your composure (this may seem apparent, but it is really crucial!)
Find a means to get out from beneath — there are several options for doing so without running away screaming
If the horse has backed up at any, you should follow after them and yell “whoa” or use another suitable release phrase while backing yourself up the hill. Try to get them off their hindquarters by turning sideways and stepping down near one of their legs if at all feasible. to prevent them from being able to turn with you and continue kicking, and so on It’s best to climb up on their withers if they’ve backed themselves into a corner and you aren’t near enough to sidle. They won’t be able to back up or step sideways if you get up on their withers. If they are in the middle of an open area, close up on them from behind to prevent them from escaping. Then get down near one of their legs and say “whoa” as appropriate while backing away from them until you have established some gap between you and them. You may also lean on the horse’s side when it is facing you, which would allow you to employ your own body weight. It will find it more difficult to turn with force as a result of this.

How to Avoid Horse Kicking?

Some pointers to assist you prevent getting kicked by your horse are as follows:

To communicate with a horse, all you need is your hand. Do not make any further physical contact with the animal’s body. This is one method of gaining their attention. When training their dogs, some owners use a long stick or crop with a rope attached, which they can pull on during training sessions for more effective results
If there is anything in front of them, it will almost always be knocked over. As a result, keep out of their way! This includes things like water buckets that may have been left unattended
Be wary while approaching horses from behind. Because kickers tend to react and lash out without notice. Often assaulting persons whom they have never showed any anger prior against earlier
If a horse is kicking the air, it may be trying to intimidate other horses or people. This behavior commonly happens in herds as an effort at competing for supremacy over their territory and feeding area
Be careful of what your hands are doing when you approach them from behind. Because this is generally where numerous kicks happen without warning. A classic example is reaching out to pat them on the neck which can start off a chain reaction that leads to front kicks and tail swishing

The Final Word

Horses are large, robust creatures with powerful legs and hooves. If they feel threatened, they have the right to kick you. It’s critical to understand how powerful a horse’s kick may be. If your horse attempts to bite you or kicks at you for no apparent reason, you must determine what is causing it.

However, if the horse only produces a single little kick out of nowhere, it is possible that there is nothing wrong with it. There is a possibility that anything startled the horse. In order to calm your horse down, you may also try softly caressing him on the back of his neck.

Scientists Study How Hard Horses Kick – The Horse

When you fall from your horse, which is the most common type of equestrian injury, you’re protected with helmets and safety vests to absorb the impact. But what do we have to keep us safe from the second-most prevalent type of equestrian disaster in the United States? The equine kick is a forceful force that is concentrated in a small region. Its consequences can be debilitating and even fatal for both people and horses, depending on the severity of the kick. According to the experts, what we know about the science behind the kick is actually rather limited.

According to the researchers, getting measuring equipment in exactly the correct spot at exactly the right moment to record forces during a natural kick is a significant difficulty.

ECVS Dipl.

ECVS, head of the University of Zürich’s equine department in Switzerland, said, “People really need to be aware that every horse can kick—even those we think are ‘nice’ or ‘good’ or would never kick—and that this presents a serious risk to handlers and other animals within kicking distance.” “Understanding the forces that drive a kick might provide us with knowledge that would be extremely useful in preventative management and could lead to the creation of effective protection equipment that handlers could wear if they were in danger,” he added.

According to Fürst, such information might also be used to better construct the structures of stables, shelters, and other types of barriers that could be kicked, resulting in not just financial loss but also a potentially dangerous scenario for the animals.

According to Fürst, “imagine a horse kicking through the wall that divides him from the feed storage area.” Fürst and his colleagues at the University of California, Davis equipped six horses who were trained to kick in response to a specific stimulus from a handler with a Tekscan F-SCAN force measuring device in order to assess kick strength.

It operates by the use of a plastic in-shoe device that incorporates ultrathin plastic sensors in the form of the human foot.
They sandwiched the sensor between two 2-mm plastic pads that were custom-made to fit within a horseshoe.
Some of the horses only gave “weak” kicks in reaction to the stimuli, according to Fürst, while one horse refused to kick at all in response.
Furthermore, they discovered that the F-SCAN system was insufficient for accurately detecting kick forces during the experiment.
Despite this, Fürst stated that they measured kick forces in this context to be nearly identical to the horse’s body weight, which was approximately equal to the horse’s weight.
In previous research, kick forces were estimated rather than measured objectively, but this is the first time an attempt has been made to employ true objective-measurement equipment.

Smith. The research, titled “Evaluation of the Tekscan F-SCAN system for assessment of kicking force in horses,” was published in the Swiss Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Surgery.

Can A Horse Kick Kill You? (Why & Protect Tips)

Equines are gorgeous creatures who have been devoted companions to humans for thousands of years. Because they have been finely tuned through time, they have toned muscles and a hefty body that allows them to reach extraordinary speeds. Despite this, horses, no matter how well-behaved they are, may experience the impulse to kick in reaction to a variety of stimuli. Although it is difficult to quantify the exact power of a horse’s kicking force, the average horse has a kicking force of roughly 2,000 pounds per square inch.

Also covered is how to recognize the indications of a disturbed horse before it strikes and how to prevent sustaining serious damage.

Why Would A Horse Kick?

Horses kick for a variety of causes, according to my observations. Equines that are afraid or anxious are the most common types of situations to encounter. Sometimes, a horse will make an unexpected movement with its legs while it is having a good time or attempting to assert its authority. Furthermore, kicks are the most efficient technique to expel surplus energy. The horse is a highly sensitive animal that reacts quickly to abrupt movements by predators and people. Despite this, they are never vindictive or violent with the intent to harm.

In order to escape danger, the most basic explanation for why a horse would kick is to protect itself.
Other causes of unexpected outrages include cinching a saddle, painful equipment, straps, or shoeing.
Equines have a strong need to kick up their heels as a result of the surplus energy they must expend.
The animal will do this in order to defend itself from more cruelty and abuse at the hands of its owners.
Some riders prefer to use riding crops to teach obedience to their charges rather than mild methods.
Equines strike instinctively when their bodies get rigid as a result of the protection mechanism they have activated.
Finally, it’s possible that your horse is trying to communicate with you by kicking.
Unfamiliar persons approaching the horse might also encourage the animal to kick more aggressively.

How Powerful Is A Horse Kick?

The average equine stands around seven feet tall and weighs approximately 1,000 pounds, depending on the breed of horse. The usual top speed of a fully matured horse is 200 miles per hour. As a result, it is capable of striking things and humans with an amazing force of around 1,200 psi. Additionally, horses have kicked with an impact force of 2,000 pounds per square inch, causing death in a few of occasions. Horses have the ability to throw strikes with greater force than any professional boxer, owing to their large size and strength.

In addition, horse hooves are pointed and sharp, similar to knives. When a hoof comes into touch with the skin, it has the potential to slice open with a single movement, causing serious injury.

Signs Indicating A Kick Will Follow

There is no better way to prevent being kicked by a horse than to become familiar with how they act and communicate. You can identify if a horse is preparing to attack or run by studying and monitoring the motions of its body and limbs. Examples of such warning signs include pinned ears (ears that lie flat against the skull) and anxious behavior. It is also possible for the horse to tip its head downwards and erect or flick its tail. In addition, a sudden stiffness of the torso, which may be followed by stomping with the front feet, should be kept an eye out for.

There is a probability that a horse that has kicked before will do so once more.

When everything else fails and you have a sneaking suspicion that a kick is on the way, you can take a few steps to defend yourself, such as:

Maintain your composure and cool-headedness
Try not to go too close to the legs or underfoot
If the horse is cornered and you are unable to approach it in an inconspicuous manner, it is advisable to jump up on it
Always keep within the perimeters of the safe zones when near horses. Keeping your feet close to the horse’s shoulder will assist you avoid being kicked
Exercise cautious at feeding time, since horses are highly possessive of their food, and you may find yourself caught in the middle of a fire between two rivals
Turning sideways and facing the animal while taking a few steps back will help you steer clear of their hindquarters. In no case should you turn your back on a horse as you depart a barn.

Can A Horse Kick Kill You?

When a horse kicks you in the shin, the consequences may be lethal. There have been a few cases of people being killed in horse-related accidents, however they are not commonplace. Because of its power, a single kick delivered in the incorrect spot can result in serious bodily harm or death in the most extreme cases. In response to an unintentional impact or as a result of no apparent provocation, a horse may respond violently. After such a traumatic experience, you’d consider yourself lucky if you ended up with a substantial bruise.

However, there is no need to be very concerned because horse kicks are quite rare.

Helpful Tips To Avoid Horse Kicking

Despite the fact that you may have extensive horse-related experience, it is always advisable to use additional caution. Here are a few tips to keep in mind in order to avoid abrupt horse kicks well before they occur:

Good manners and respect for people should be taught to your horse. Kickers are known for reacting quickly and unexpectedly. As a result, you must use extreme caution when approaching from behind. One method to alert the horse that you’re close by is to meet him and walk to his shoulders at a 45-degree angle. Also, when approaching from the back, pay attention to any hand movements you might be doing at the time. Horses might get aggressive if you approach them from behind and try to touch their necks. They may even flick their tails or kick with their front legs to express themselves. If you are not escorted by an experienced horseman, avoid getting too near to the horses. In most cases, horses who kick their hooves in the air are attempting to establish a dominating position in the herd. Avoid making physical contact with the horse’s body in order to attract its attention. When interacting, it is preferable to use your hands. Horses are capable of knocking over anything in their path. As a result, move any items or abandoned water buckets away from where their front sight zone is located.

Prevent To Protect

When interacting with horses, it’s usually a good idea to wear safety equipment. A riding helmet must be worn at all times when riding. Quality helmets are great shock absorbers, and they can help to reduce the severity of any head injuries that you may get in an accident. Furthermore, a body protector will prevent your torso from being struck in the chest by a rapid kick. Riding equipment, such as long sleeves, gloves, and breeches, will reduce the likelihood of being injured by a horse when out riding.

First Aid After A Horse Kicked You

Despite all safeguards and methods, it is still possible for you or someone else to get kicked. Maintaining your composure and assessing the damage are essential initial steps. After then, call a doctor and seek medical attention as quickly as possible without moving too much from your position. Maintaining your position can help to halt the bleeding and stabilize the status of the injuries you have sustained. Even if there is no visible bleeding, seek medical attention if you have fainted and have been unconscious for a long period of time.

Among the most frequent types of injuries are bleeding wounds, soft tissue ripping or rupturing, and shattered bones. The following are the most important first aid skills you should be familiar with in case anything terrible happens to someone else:

Before transporting or immobilizing the individual, make certain that they are stable and that their breathing pattern is regular
Attempt to stop the bleeding from serious wounds until an ambulance comes
And Maintaining the limbs in a straight position during immobilization will help to prevent further injuries and discomfort
You should avoid moving damaged bones if at all feasible when you fear they have been broken. Immediately notify the authorities if you have received head or chest kicks that have resulted in injuries or passing out.

Final Thoughts

Equines are a fearsome and watchful breed of animal. When they are attacked or terrified, they will not hesitate to protect themselves by using their powerful legs. Because of this, it is critical to get aware with the factors that might contribute to a horse kick. Identifying and addressing the source of the problem will help you avoid unnecessary harm. Horse owners with extensive experience employ a variety of strategies to quiet their horses. The majority of the time, gentle petting on the neck and calming tones are effective.

How did you manage to keep it under control?

What it is Like to Get Kicked by a Horse – How Dangerous It Can Be?

Once, I was kicked by my horse so hard that I couldn’t stand up and had to kneel on the ground for a few minutes. I recall the sound of the hit being so loud that the owners of the adjoining property came out to inquire as to who had fired the shots. As luck would have it, I just suffered a kick to the upper thigh, and the femur is the toughest bone in the human body, thus I did not suffer a fractured bone.

What Is It Like to Get Kicked by a Horse and How Dangerous Can It Be?

A horse’s kick can travel at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour, allowing them to deliver about 2,000 pounds of damaging power for every square inch of your body that their foot makes direct contact with. A kick to the chest, stomach, brain, or other important organs can result in internal hemorrhage and possibly death if it hits one of these regions.

What It Feels Like to be Kicked by a Horse

The kick I described was my very first, and it was a huge kick, but I was fortunate to survive it. Myhorse’s hoof had just made a passing contact with my skin, and once the immediate subcutaneous bleeding had subsided, I could see that only her toe had truly touched me. Essentially, this implies that if she had managed to plant the full hoof on my leg, I may have suffered a fractured leg. Although I’ve been kicked by horses a number of times after that first incident, none of them have been quite so serious.

Pressure Needed to Harm a Human With a Horse Kick

How much pressure from a kick is required to cause injury to the various bodily parts of a human being? I made the decision to investigate how much pressure or force is required to harm different sections of the human body in order to obtain a better understanding of how painful it is to be kicked by a horse.

The Head

The skull is quite resistant to pressure, yet it doesn’t take much power to crush your skull; only 520 pounds of strain will cause your skull to crumble. When you consider that a horse kick may deliver up to 2,000 pounds of power, it is easy to see how it might cause your skull to collapse. Fortunately, the human head is rounded, which means that most kicks will glance off, and while you’ll suffer a severe headache, the bulk of the kick’s force will roll off your skull and away from you.

You will very certainly suffer a maiming injury if the kick falls in a soft area where the power of the kick does not slip off, such as your nose or eye socket. You may even suffer full skull compression and trauma, which can result in death.

The Chest

Crushing injuries to the human chest can occur when as little as 250 pounds of pressure is exerted over a sustained period of time to the chest cavity. It is possible for the heart to be stopped or ruptured in an instant by an increase in pressure that occurs suddenly yet with great power, such as the 2,000 pounds that a horse can give.

Breaking a Leg or Arm

A horse must apply 4,000 Newtons of pressure on the femur, the toughest bone in the human body, in order for it to shatter, which is presumably why my leg did not break. Conversely, other softer bones, such as the ulna or tibia, may be broken far more easily—not to mention the knee joint!

Ways in Which Horses Kick

A horse kick may take on a variety of shapes and sizes. When a horse is attacked by a wild coyote (or by a human who sneaks up on it), it will often kick straight back. However, there is also the “cow kick,” which swings to the side, which is used to ward off the assailant. The “cow kick” is particularly tricky since it is a form of kick that is rarely seen coming. The majority of the time, it will occur when you are bending down beneath the horse to clean their hooves or when you are treating your horse for an injury.

A horse can also rear up and kick with its front feet, which is another option.

When a horse kicks down with his front hooves, he has the ability to crush your head in the process.

How Kicks From Horses are Used in the Past

Horse kicks, believe it or not, have played an important role in human growth and continue to play a role in our lives and the environment around us now as well. Horses used to be trained for battle in the past. In order to kill the adversary beneath their hooves, horses were trained to kick and jump in a certain manner. On the battlefield, where kicking was sought and even trained for, a horse’s ability to kick and “dance on the spot” proved essential, and it was on the battlefield that the movements of classical dressage were first developed.

An further use of a horse’s capacity to kick has been demonstrated in the realm of farming, where a well-trained ranch horse can protect their rider from assault by enraged cattle when the rider must dismount to tend to an injured calf or treat an injured steer.

So, while being kicked by a horse isn’t pleasant, I’ve discovered that a horse that kicks (and especially one that has been educated to do so) can be really beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions about What It Feels Like to Get Kicked by a Horse and How Dangerous It Is

It is critical to analyze the damage and determine whether or not a medical professional is required.

Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs should be used to treat the bruises. Rub the wounded region to aid in the resorption of the subcutaneous hemorrhage.

How much force is there in a horse kick?

When kicking, a horse has the capacity to generate 8,722 Newtons of power, and it can apply an average of 2,000 pounds of pressure on the ground with each kick.

The Final Kick

When you are kicked by a horse, you might expect to suffer a fractured bone or major contusions as a result of the kick. The main risk of a horse kick is the blunt force trauma caused by the horse’s hooves, which can cause serious and even deadly damage to the human body if not treated immediately. To avoid being kicked by a horse at all costs is my recommendation, since you never know when the next kick will be the last kick.

Hoof kick injuries in unmounted equestrians. Improving accident analysis and prevention by introducing an accident and emergency based relational database

Injury caused by a horse’s hoof kick among unmounted riders. The introduction of an accident and emergency-based relational database will help to improve accident analysis and prevention. Free

Accident and Emergency Unit, Department of Anaesthesia, Emergency Medicine, and Intensive Care, Inselspital, The University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Department of Anaesthesia, Emergency Medicine, and Intensive Care, Inselspital, The University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr A Exadaktylos at the Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine (Notfallzentrum) at the Inselspital at the University Hospital Bern in 3010 Bern, Switzerland
Exaris hotmail.com.

Abstract

It is the goal of this study to identify and analyze damage patterns associated with horse kicks, to raise the problem of preventative measures, and to assess the function of contemporary accident and emergency department computer software. Using a new type of comprehensive electronic medical record, we conducted a data analysis on the results. The following results were obtained: Seventeen kicked equestrians were unmounted at the time of the injury. On the other hand, eight out of seventeen patients had contusions to their extremities, back, and trunk.

Because of the intricacy of the face soft tissue lesions, five of the nine patients were sent to the department of plastic surgery for further treatment.
Conclusion: The clinical community may underestimate the danger of severe injuries caused by hoof kicks, particularly when handling the horse.
It is possible that the installation of extra face shields will be beneficial.
The rising use of new computer technology, therefore, has the potential to have a substantial impact on accident analysis and prevention, as well as on the overall quality of research, in the future.

Statistics from Altmetric.com

It has been more than three decades since horses’ place in society was fundamentally altered. At least in the western hemisphere, where horses were once regarded a work animal and the primary means of hauling big burdens, horses are now predominantly employed for recreational and sporting activity. There are around 50 000 equestrians in Switzerland now (out of a total population of 6 million), with more than 13 000 of them organized in equestrian and country clubs (unpublished data of the Swiss Equestrian Association).

In the last decade, a number of studies have been published on injuries suffered by non-professional equestrians, jockeys, polo players, rodeo riders, and cross-country riders.
The enhancement of protective apparel has long been advised for these athletes since fractures of the limbs, spine, and pelvis, as well as injuries of the head and face, are prevalent among them and are responsible for up to 80% of all connected deaths.
Fourteen percent of riders in Whitlock’s professional equestrian community had head and facial injuries, according to the researcher.
Another issue is the loss of data as a result of the incorrect storage of patient notes in electronic format.
As a result, the focus of this essay is on our experience with a newly built computer program that tackles this type of problem, as well as how current emergency department software may be a powerful tool in analyzing patient data.

At this study, over an 18-month period in a level 1 trauma center, the mechanism of damage and injury patterns attributed to hoof kicks were evaluated, and recommendations were made to improve safety in horse-related sports.

METHODS

The emergency unit of the University Hospital of Berne is the only level I accident and emergency facility in the region, providing care to around 1.5 million individuals each year. It is specialized to the initial therapy of highly traumatized and critically ill patients, and it handles around 15 000 surgical cases and 10 000 medical cases every year, according to the hospital. Neurological, maxillofacial, spinal, and pelvic injuries are treated at this facility, which is the only one in the region to offer a 24-hour service.

The new software

It was developed by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University Hospital Bern in collaboration with the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA), the Maurice E Müller Foundation (Bern, Switzerland), the “Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthese” (AO) (Davos, Switzerland), and a software development company. Diagnoses are constantly available through this program, and predetermined keywords (for example, “equestrian”) may be accessed with a single mouse click.

To conduct this research, the records of 42 642 patients were automatically screened for horse hoof kick-related injuries using the built-in search engine, which was programmed to look for numerous important equestrian sports-related key terms.
Discharge summaries, progress reports, and consultations were then searched for sex, age, and injury pattern using an automated search engine.
The diagnoses were highlighted in order to initiate an automatic Medline search or a search in a connected online textbook to get background information on horse-related injuries, which was then followed up with a follow-up email.
Consequently, the program may be used in two ways: first, as a therapeutic tool, and second, as a comprehensive tool for ongoing education and research.

The patients

During the study period, all equestrian injuries treated at the University Hospital Bern between January 2000 and June 2001 were examined. During this time span, there were a total of 80 equestrian injuries, with 17 (21 percent) of them being caused by a direct hoof kick. There were 11 female patients (65% of the total) and six male patients (35% of the total) (see table 1). Among the female patients, the average age was 27 years, with the range being 16 to 58 years, while the average age among the male patients was 31 years, with a range being 20 to 74 years.

The Qualicare clinical information and assessment system was used to record and analyze the mechanism of damage pattern, as well as the radiological data of the patient. Table 1 shows the age and gender of injured equestrians.

RESULTS

Approximately 42 642 people were admitted to the emergency department throughout the research period. Eighty of them (0.2 percent) were equestrians, and 17 of them (21 percent) were injured by a horse’s hoof kick (table 2). An isolated facial injury was found in nine individuals (or 53 percent) of the total. Table 2 shows the location and diagnosis of injuries in 17 individuals who were kicked. All of the equestrians who were kicked were dismounted at the time of the injury. They were either adjacent to the horse or behind it when the incident occurred.

On eight out of nine occasions, patients suffered maxilla facial fractures or severe facial lacerations.

Maxillofacial surgery was performed on three of the patients.

Only two patients had their superficial lacerations sutured, and both of them were women.

DISCUSSION

According to the ancient Arabs, the fatal strength of a horse—which is capable of striking with up to a tonne of force with a single kick—was expressed by the phrase, “The grave opens its yawns for the horseman.” 2,9,11,12 Those involved in horseback riding accidents or injuries caused by horses face a greater chance of suffering catastrophic injuries. Besides that, a horse’s kick has the potential to transfer a force of more than 10,000 Newtons to the body, resulting in fractures of the skull or other bones, as well as severe damage to the intestines.

16 Because all of our patients wore a helmet, we were unable to detect any substantial brain damage in any of them.
18,19 Despite the fact that the skull is now protected by a helmet, the face is still exposed and susceptible, as evidenced by the fact that 53 percent of all kicked patients had facial injuries.
Sixty-seven percent of patients who received a face kick were admitted to the hospital, and three required maxillofacial surgery as a result.
Direct harm to the face is most commonly connected with horse handling rather than horse riding.
Despite the fact that understanding horse behavior patterns might assist to increase safety, dealing with animals will never be fully risk-free.
The usage of custom-made mouth guards for oral protection is another option that might be considered.

21 The creation of such safety devices should be addressed, and more research should be carried out. A greater emphasis should be placed on the distribution of educational publications and the delivery of educational lectures to the equestrian community regarding safety precautions.

Software related issue

The processing of a growing volume of medical data necessitates the advancement of computerization in emergency departments. Conventional text-based systems have frequently failed to keep up with the consequent demands, and after data has been collected and printed, it is either difficult to identify or it takes a long time to locate it. Because of this, not only is there a significant waste of time and energy but there is also a massive loss of information. Modern software considerably decreases the administrative labor of medical workers by fully removing the need for duplicate data recording and by enabling access to all clinical data at any time and from any location.

As a result, the rising use of modern computer technology in accident analysis and prevention, as well as the overall quality of research, is expected to have a substantial impact in the near future.

Contributers

Dr. Aristomenis Exadaktylos was the primary author and investigator of the study. He originated and managed the concept of the project, discussed key ideas with colleagues from different departments that were engaged, participated in data gathering, and prepared the report. Dr. Philipp Inden, a sixth-year medical student, has been in charge of the data collecting and data documentation for this project. Stephan Eggli was involved in the protocol design and data analysis, as well as the editing of the section on the computer software.

Heinz Zimmermann oversaw the study effort and participated in the statistical analysis, as well as editing the manuscript and serving as the research’s scientific guarantor.

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