title: The epidemiology of horse-related injuries for different horse exposures, activities, and age groups in Queensland, Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The dangers associated with horse riding, a popular activity throughout Australia, are well documented; yet, few studies have comprehensively described injuries caused by horses to nonriders. This study aimed to facilitate targeted injury prevention strategies and appropriate trauma management by describing all horse-related injuries, for both riders and nonriders, in Queensland, and identifying those at greatest risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horse-related injury data from 2005 to 2009 were extracted from the Queensland Trauma Registry. Descriptive comparisons were undertaken for demographic, injury, and acute care characteristics between riders and nonriders, between pediatric and adult cases, and between sports/leisure and work injuries. The relative risk of surgery by sex and between riders and nonriders was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than 25% of injuries occurred in people not riding a horse. Nonriders sustained a significantly higher proportion of internal organ injuries, open wounds, as well as facial and pelvic/abdominal injuries. Females accounted for more than 80% of children who were injured while riding a horse. For adults, 25% were injured while working, and more than 66% of injured workers were male. Injuries most commonly occurred in regional areas. Surgery was most common among children, nonriders, and those with Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 1 to 8. The likelihood of surgery was 25% higher for nonriders (95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.38%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Horse-related injuries are most prevalent in identifiable populations, particularly young female riders and adult males injured while working. Injuries inflicted by horses to nonriders contribute more than 27% of all horse-related injuries; however, most previous research has been limited to injured riders. Compared with riders, nonriders more frequently sustain internal, facial, and pelvic injuries; are male; and undergo surgery. The results of this study may be used to tailor prevention strategies and inform trauma management specific to the type of horse exposure, patient age, and activity engaged in when injured.
  
  
  METHODS
  Epidemiologic study, level III.
authors.affiliation: From Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine (J.L., K.T., C.P., K.H., N.B.), School of Medicine, The University of Queensland; and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (M.S., K.T.), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Jacelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sathivelu
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tetsworth
authors.forename: Cliff
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bellamy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011998:Recreation; D012737:Sex Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult