"The grave yawns for the horseman." Equestrian deaths in South Australia 1973-1983.
The fatalities associated with the riding and handling of horses in South Australia over the 11-year period 1973-1983 are reviewed. There were 18 deaths, including two sudden natural deaths in the saddle and one drowning. The 15 cases of horse-related trauma represent a death rate of approximately one per million population per annum. Thirteen of the deaths were the result of a head injury after a fall. Nine persons were not wearing protective headgear. The two principal groups at risk were male professional riders with a mean age of 32 years and female amateurs with a mean age of 19 years.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk