title: Nervous system injuries in horseback-riding accidents.
abstract: A review of 156 horseback-riding accidents that occurred in southern Alberta over a 6-year period and resulted in nervous system trauma, including 11 deaths, is presented. The majority (81%) of accidents occurred during recreational activity and 81% were associated with falling or being thrown from a horse. Head injury occurred in 92% of patients and accounted for all of the 11 deaths. Spinal injury occurred in 13% of the patients and was associated with head injury in 40%. One peripheral nerve injury was identified. Helmets were used by only two victims. The 11 deaths that occurred as a consequence of severe head injury accounted for 79% of all deaths associated with horseback riding. This profile of neurologic injuries associated with horse-related accidents supports a need for use of protective headgear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: B I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Tranmer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011998:Recreation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*