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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Design and Analysis for Fall Detection System Simplification
Published on: April 6, 2020
Risk factors for horse falls in British jump racing (2010-2023)
S E Allen1, S Taylor2, J Given2
1Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK.
Equine Veterinary Journal
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Horse falls in British jump racing are reduced by older horses, more experienced racehorses and jockeys, and eye coverings. Padded hurdles decrease faller rates in hurdle races.
Area of Science:
- Equine Sports Medicine
- Veterinary Epidemiology
- Racing Safety Research
Background:
- Horse falls in jump racing pose significant risks to equine welfare and jockey safety.
- Identifying factors contributing to falls is crucial for improving safety protocols in equestrian sports.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key risk factors associated with horse falls in British jump racing.
- To analyze these factors separately for steeplechase and hurdle races.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study analyzed jump race data from January 2010 to April 2023.
- Mixed-effects logistic regression evaluated 101 potential risk factors using comprehensive horse, race, and jockey data.
- Data excluded horses 'brought down' by others, focusing on independent falls.
Main Results:
- Faller rates were 40.6/1000 steeplechase starts and 19.2/1000 hurdle starts.
- Increased horse age, greater race experience (horse and jockey), and eye coverings reduced fall odds in both race types.
- Steeplechase fall odds increased with field size and were higher for non-GB trained horses; padded hurdles reduced fall odds compared to birch hurdles.
Conclusions:
- Replacing birch hurdles with padded ones could lower overall faller rates in hurdle racing.
- Consideration of restricting field sizes in steeplechase races may help reduce falls, though impact may be minimal due to small numbers of large fields.
- Further research could explore other race-day data to refine safety measures.
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