UK study sheds new light on horse rider falls – Dr David Marlin discusses.
Researchers have found that the risk factors surrounding many falls may be preventable. Since horse riding is considered anecdotally to be a ‘dangerous sport’ globally, Dr David Marlin and Professor Jane Williams have undertaken a first-of-its-kind study in the UK to investigate the common factors surrounding rider falls, and, crucially, how the risk of falling and injury can be reduced.
The research paper, titled: UK Rider Reported Falls in a 12-month Period: circumstances and Consequences, has been published in Comparative Exercise Physiology by Brill Wageningen Academic. The large-scale study determined that rider falls from horses are caused by a variety of factors. Importantly, many may be modifiable and hence preventable.
According to the research findings, rider falls appear to happen more frequently when hacking/trail riding, and/or schooling on the flat, and showjumping schooling. As such, encouraging riders to wear protective equipment in activities currently perceived as ‘low risk’, such as hacking or schooling at home, may help to reduce injury severity.
