Avoiding Equine Injury Claims
All equestrians know that if one thing is certain – it is that horses can be unpredictable. Because of the size and strength of horses, riders and pedestrians can easily endure personal injury. However, there are steps that owners and riders alike can take to avoid equine personal injury claims. Our equine law attorneys have gathered tips and tricks to limit equestrian injuries.
Types of Equestrian Incidents
There are various ways that someone can incur personal injury from horses. According to 2021 horse-riding accident statistics, 2 out of 3 horse-riding injuries can be prevented. It is essential to understand the situations where incidents can occur, so you can take proper precautions to avoid injuries. Common causes of equestrian accidents include:
- Stable mishaps
- Broken tack
- Slipped saddle
- No safety checks
- Unsafe environment and trails
- Trainer negligence
- Kick, fall, and trample injuries
According to the National Trauma Data Bank, 74.83% of equestrian deaths were caused by head and neck injuries.
- Head and Neck Injury Deaths – 74.83%
- Thoracic Injury Deaths – 18.44%
- Abdominal Injury Deaths – 5.31%
- Extremity Injury Deaths – 1.42%
How to Prevent Horseback Accidents and Injuries
There are simple steps that riders can take to prevent horseback riding injuries. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are a few tips for riders to prevent injury:
- Wear riding helmets
- Wear leather boots with a small heel
- Inspect riding equipment
- Size saddle and stirrups
- Use safety stirrups and supervisor if a novice
- Ride on flat terrain if a novice
- Stay alert
- Do not go off-trail
- Approach horses at their shoulder, not from behind
By following these simple tips and tricks, riders, owners, and those in the equine field can stay safe and limit accidents and injuries.
I Have an Equine Injury – What Now?
If someone suffers an injury due to an equestrian incident on your property or while interacting with or riding your horse, they may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. At Clayborne & Wagner, we understand that accidents happen. Get in touch with our expert equine attorneys for equestrian legal assistance.
Sources:
Fernanda Camargo, William R. Gombeski Jr, Polly Barger, Connie Jehlik, Holly Wiemers, James Mead & Amy Lawyer | Pedro González-Redondo (Reviewing Editor) (2018) Horse-related injuries: Causes, preventability, and where educational efforts should be focused, Cogent Food & Agriculture, 4:1, DOI: 10.1080/23311932.2018.1432168
Meredith, L., Ekman, R., & Thomson, R. (2017). Horse-related incidents and factors for predicting injuries to the head. BMJ Open Sport — Exercise Medicine, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000398 Meredith, L., Ekman, R., & Thomson, R. (2017). Horse-related incidents and factors for predicting injuries to the head. BMJ Open Sport — Exercise Medicine, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000398
Mutore K, Lim J, Fofana D, et al
Hearing hoofbeats? Think head and neck trauma: a 10-year NTDB analysis of equestrian-related trauma in the USA
Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open 2021;6:e000728. doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2021-000728