Key result
Protective headgear and screening for contraindications may lower catastrophic neurologic injuries in equestrian sports.
Why the study?
Neurologic injuries occur in up to one third of horseback riding injuries, with a need to identify risk factors and preventive measures to reduce catastrophic outcomes.
Equestrian falls frequently cause head/CNS injuries; leaves open optimal prevention strategies and contraindication criteria.
In brief: More than 42,000 injured horseback riders are treated each year in emergency departments. Although most of the injuries are relatively minor, as many as one third involve the CNS. Neurologic injuries are usually to the head-mostly concussions or cerebral contusions-and commonly occur when a rider falls from the horse. Certain medical conditions, eg, temporary paralysis and posttraumatic epilepsy, contraindicate equestrian activities. The risk of catastrophic injury may be lessened by identifying the persons who should not participate and enforcing the use of protective equipment-particularly adequate headgear.
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Brooks et al. (1988) conducted a review in Neurologic injuries in equestrian sports. Protective equipment (adequate headgear) was evaluated on Neurologic injuries. The risk of catastrophic neurologic injuries in equestrian sports may be lessened by identifying contraindicated individuals and enforcing the use of adequate protective headgear.
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