Analysis of horse-related injuries in children
Katalin Kiss1, Paul Swatek, Imre Lénárt
1Surgery Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Pécs, József A. u. 7, 7633 Pecs, Hungary. katalin_c_kiss@yahoo.de
Insights
Horseback riding and horse care lead to injuries in children, with riding incidents being more severe. Prevention strategies must consider age-specific risks and rider experience when developing safety guidelines for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Traumatology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Horseback riding and horse care are common activities for children.
- Injuries associated with these activities can range in severity and type.
- Understanding injury patterns is crucial for effective prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing the nature, characteristics, severity, and outcomes of pediatric horseback riding and horse care injuries.
- To develop evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of these injuries in children.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of detailed clinical records for 265 children with horse-related injuries.
- Follow-up information gathered via questionnaires from 112 patients treated between 1999 and 2003.
- Data analyzed from pediatric surgery departments in Pécs, Hungary, and Graz, Austria.
Main Results:
- Female to male ratio among 112 patients was 101:11.
- Horseback riding injuries (76.8%) were more severe than those from horse handling (23.2%).
- Injury mechanism and location showed a strong association with patient age.
Conclusions:
- Prevention strategies for pediatric horse-related injuries must account for age-dependent injury patterns.
- Injury severity is not always correlated with rider experience.
- Guidelines should address the specific risks associated with different age groups and activities.
Purpose:
The purpose of the present study was to investigate factors affecting the nature, characteristics, severity and outcome of horseback and horse care injuries in paediatric patients and to create guidelines for injury prevention.
Methods:
Detailed clinical records of 265 children sustained horse-riding related injuries have been analysed. Questionnaires were mailed to provide follow-up information for patients who have been treated in either Department of Paediatric Surgery in Pécs, Hungary, or Department of Paediatric Surgery in Graz, Austria between 1999 and 2003. Those 112 children (42%) who answered the questionnaire were included in the study and further analyses were performed.
Results:
Female to male ratio of the 112 patients was 101/11. Trauma occurred during horseback riding accounted for 76.8% of all cases; these injuries represented more severe cases comparing to those which happened while handling a horse (23.2%). The mechanism as well as the localisation of injury displayed a close association with age.
Conclusions:
Prevention strategies targeting horse-related injuries at children should appreciate the age-dependent nature of injury as well as the fact that injury severity is not necessarily associated with the experience of the rider.
