Injury experts recommend helmets for horse-riders

By CATHERINE MASTERS

The moment they reach a certain age, they simply must have a horse.

But research shows a heavy injury toll of people - many of them young girls with dreams of riding - hurt by horses that outweigh them by hundreds of kilos.

An Auckland research unit says horse-related accidents are fewer but more severe than rugby injuries, and cost almost twice the money to fix.

The unit suggests that helmets be made compulsory for all horse-riders.

Helmets are compulsory only at pony clubs and during equestrian competitions.

But since helmets were made compulsory for cyclists in 1994, the number of reported head injuries has fallen nearly 20 per cent.

Eleven people died in equestrian accidents between 1993 and 1997, often after the horse rolled on top of them, and 3731 people were admitted to hospital between 1993 and 1998.

Auckland University's Injury Prevention Research Centre says that while some statistics are available, little information exists on horse-related accidents and a thorough study is needed.

Females accounted for 64 per cent of the deaths and girls aged between 10 and 19 had the most injuries because they spent more time riding.

In older age, more males suffered injuries, and the rate balanced between the sexes from about the mid 50s.

Thirty per cent of injuries occurred on farms and at sport and recreational facilities, and only 3.5 per cent on public roads.

Head and neck/trunk injuries were most common, followed by arm fractures, dislocations and leg injuries.

ACC claims show that while the incidence of equestrian injuries is only 10 per cent of rugby claims, riding injuries are more severe and have long-term consequences.

In 1997, 570 riding claims were made, compared with 5184 rugby claims. The average cost of a rugby injury was $3943 compared with $6426 for riding.

Glenda Northey, the research centre's information manager, says young girls have a romantic vision of horse-riding, but do not realise the implications.

Sitting well above the ground on an animal that could weigh 500kg was "a mixture for disaster if that person has got no idea how to control a horse."

Even the most placid mount can be spooked and throw a rider or kick out, she says.

Children should wear helmets even when dismounted because many accidents happened on the ground when a horse stomped and kicked.

Ms Northey, a rider herself, likes the idea of compulsory helmets but concedes it would be hard to police, for example, in country areas where horses are still used on farms.

She recommends wearing protective clothing, especially helmets, and says teaching falling techniques may help to reduce injuries.

Larry Graham, from Equestrian New Zealand, says the organisation's board would support a call for mandatory helmet-wearing.

Fifteen-year-old Claire Dobson's childhood dream to own a horse came true and she spends all the time she can with "my mate" Trance.

The Meadowbank Pony Club member says she has never had a serious accident but knows plenty of people who have had "freak" accidents causing broken bones and back injury.

At the club she has learned how to ride properly and how to fall so she minimises damage.

But her main advice is for people to wear helmets.