INJURIES IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS

The authors surveyed equestrians to determine an injury profile. Based on responses from 2,195 frequent riders, the study confirms previous findings regarding injury rates, injury sites, and helmet use. New fin dings include a large number of neck and back injuries and a likelihoo d of injured riders to be between 15 and 44 years of age, ride English style, and have less than 10 years of riding experience. Data also sh ow that many horseback-riding injuries are treated in physicians' offi ces. The high percentage of injured patients who suffered prolonged di sability underscores the need for physicians to counsel horseback-ridi ng patients about hazards and safety measures-especially helmet use.