Mapping equestrian injuries and injury incidence in Sweden using insurance registry data

Abstract

A nationwide insurance database including all members of the Swedish Equestrian Federation and acute injuries reported to Folksam Insurance Group during 2017 was used to investigate horse-related injuries and calculate injury incidence nationally. Of the 152 069 insured members during 2017, 907 were injured, an average of 1.2 injuries per injured person. Females represented 96.9% of all those injured and had a higher risk of injury than males (RR = 3.18). The average age of injured equestrians was 30 years, and the highest injury incidence was for riders aged 21-40 years (RR = 8.83) and 41+- year-olds (RR = 7.33). The most common diagnoses included soft-tissue injuries (39%), fractures (36.7%), and concussions (17.3%). The most frequently injured body regions were the head and neck (36.4%) and the upper limbs (22.3%). Horse-related injuries occurred most frequently while riding a horse (86.2%), and the most frequent incident type was a fall (77.4%). The type of incident and activity was not independent from injury type. Injuries to equestrians represent a sizable public health concern. Injury prevention methods should be directed toward females, and protection against injury should be targeted for different incidents. Focus should be on preventing fall injuries, with appropriate matching of horse and rider and horsemanship skills.