Horsing around: A retrospective review of horse-related trauma

Epidemiology of horse trauma: a literature review

“…Severe trauma (ISS > 15) was at 28% with 23% admitted to ICU, and 45% required surgery. The mean LOS was 4.3 days • Young boys are at highest risk Australia (2019) [ 40 ] Retrospective (6 years) 28 31 (IQR 16–76) 57/43 All activities • For maxillofacial trauma, kick while unmounted was commonest MOI and resulted in many injuries Germany (2019) [ 41 ] Prospective (1 year) 233 15.59 (5.31, range 6–48) 94/6 Vaulting • Commonest injuries to lower and upper limbs with bruising and muscle strain • Injury risk increased with greater age, number of falls, greater competitive level, number of events, and previous injuries USA (2019) [ 6 ] Retrospective (4 years) 222 38.5 (range 4–79) 161/61 All activities • Older patients (> 54 years) and MOI are predictors of ISS, injury region, health costs, and LOS USA (2019) [ 42 ] Retrospective (4 years) 27 51 (17) 52/48 All activities • More serious morbidity in those > 60 years USA (2019) [ 43 ] Retrospective (16 years) 1195 43 (19) 100% males Saddle Horn Injuries • Urethral injury and pubic symphysis diastasis were higher with saddle horn injury than other mechanisms of pelvic ring disruption Ireland (2018) [ 44 ] Retrospective (1 year) 149 27 (range 5–77) 58/42 All activities • Recreational equestrians more likely for fracture than professional jockeys, and more likely for surgery • Jockeys experience and training limits i...…”

“…Of the 39 studies included in the review, 20 reported that horse-related trauma most frequently involved females with the disparity ranging between 52 [ 42 ] and 93.7% [ 29 ]. This skewing is usually explained by the fact that many recreational and amateur horse-related activities are predominantly undertaken by females [ 9 ] with British Equestrian recently reporting a female participation rate of 74% [ 2 ].…”

“…Regarding length of stay (LOS) in hospital, most studies placed in the 3- to 4-day band (range 0–15) [ 14 , 16 , 17 , 31 , 35 , 39 , 40 ] with more severe injuries (ISS equal/greater than 4) requiring 8.56 (± 10.84, range 1–64) days [ 30 ]. Older patients had longer LOS although not recording any worse injuries, the explanation being perhaps the case of more cautious monitoring [ 33 , 42 ].…”