Significant and serious injuries are associated with equestrian activities, with the higher risk group being recreational equestrians, and riders not using a helmet. The pattern of injury favours head and spine in recreational and non-helmeted riders, and extremities for professional and helmeted riders. Helmet use is still not universal among riders, although an increase in its use may be contributing to an overall reduction in admission rate. Facial and spinal injuries still occurred in helmeted patients.

Gender is increasingly recognised as a significant determinant of health. Not only are there marked differences in measures of health between men and women, but also among men themselves. This article briefly describes the health of males in NSW as presented in readily available sources, in particular The Health of the People of NSW-