Preventing and Investigating Horse-Related Human Injury and Fatality in Work and Non-Work Equestrian Environments: A Consideration of the Workplace Health and Safety Framework

Abstract

Simple SummaryAttempts to reduce horse-related injuries and fatalities to humans have mostly focused on personal protective equipment like helmets. In organizational contexts, such technical interventions are considered secondary to reducing the frequency and severity of accidents. In this article, we describe the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) framework that has been associated with reduced risks in industries and organisations. We consider how such a framework could be used to reduce horse-related risks in workplaces, as well as non-work equestrian competition and leisure environments. In this article, we propose that the simplicity and concepts of the WHS framework can provide risk mitigation benefits to both work and non-work equine identities.AbstractIt has been suggested that one in five riders will be injured due to a fall from a horse, resulting in severe head or torso injuries. Attempts to reduce injury have primarily focussed on low level risk controls, such as helmets. In comparison, risk mitigation in high risk workplaces and sports is directed at more effective and preventative controls like training, consultation, safe work procedures, fit for purpose equipment and regular Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) monitoring. However, there has been no systematic consideration of the risk-reduction benefits of applying a WHS framework to reducing horse-related risks in workplaces, let alone competition or leisure contexts. In this article, we discuss the different dimensions of risk during human–horse interaction: the risk itself, animal, human and environmental factors and their combinations thereof. We consider the potential of the WHS framework as a tool for reducing (a) situation-specific hazards, and (b) the risks inherent in and arising from human–horse interactions. Whilst most—if not all—horses are unpredictable, the majority of horse-related injuries should be treated as preventable. The article concludes with a practical application of WHS to prevent horse-related injury by discussing effective evidence-based guidelines and regulatory monitoring for equestrian sectors. It suggests that the WHS framework has significant potential not only to reduce the occurrence and likelihood of horse-related human accident and injury, but to enable systematic accident analysis and investigation of horse-related adverse events.

Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members

“…Our data are in line with the literature [ 7 ]. Despite the human effort in training horses to be desensitized from external stimuli, horses can often exhibit unpredictable behaviors; when they feel under threat they can run away, bite, kick, or crush, and cause injuries in humans [ 48 ]. Transportation can be considered a dangerous practice for people and animals.…”

What People Really Think About Safety around Horses: The Relationship between Risk Perception, Values and Safety Behaviours

“…However, many horse handlers and riders continue to sustain serious head-body trauma and even die when wearing a helmet [118]. While personal protective equipment (PPE) should be part of human-horse risk management, it is rated as the 'lowest' and 'least' effective safety control for any 'high-risk' activity including human-horse interactions [17,[119][120][121].…”

“…However, humans continue to be exposed to ongoing risks [17] during horse interactions. The concept of risk exposure and potential harm during these interactions needs further investigation given humans generally present with varying levels of risk awareness.…”

“…Previous studies of human-horse interactions have predominantly focused on injury and fatality statistics [17,[22][23][24][25]. A few studies have analysed safety interventions highlighting the need for more robust preventative safety actions and risk mitigation opportunities.…”

“…More recent research suggests we need to consider what factors contribute to different human behaviours and the risks they are prepared to take when interacting with horses [17,[31][32][33][34]. This can be achieved by asking questions about what determines and possibly influences individual safety choices during human-horse interactions and more.…”