
Equestrianism (from
Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
, , , 'horseman', 'horse'), commonly known as horse riding (
Commonwealth English) or horseback riding (
American English
American English, sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of variety (linguistics), varieties of the English language native to the United States. English is the Languages of the United States, most widely spoken lang ...
), includes the disciplines of riding,
driving, and
vaulting. This broad description includes the use of
horses for practical
working purposes, transportation, recreational activities, artistic or cultural exercises, and
competitive sport.
Overview of equestrian activities

Horses are
trained and ridden for practical working purposes, such as in
police work or for controlling herd animals on a
ranch. They are also used in
competitive sports including
dressage,
endurance riding,
eventing,
reining,
show jumping,
tent pegging,
vaulting,
polo,
horse racing,
driving, and
rodeo (see additional equestrian sports listed later in this article for more examples). Some popular forms of competition are grouped together at
horse shows where horses perform in a wide variety of disciplines. Horses (and other
equids such as
mules) are used for non-competitive recreational riding, such as
fox hunting,
trail riding, or
hacking. There is public access to horse trails in almost every part of the world; many parks,
ranches, and public
stables offer both guided and independent riding. Horses are also used for
therapeutic purposes both in specialized para-equestrian competition as well as non-competitive riding to improve human health and emotional development.
Horses are also
driven in
harness racing, at
horse shows, and in other types of exhibition such as
historical reenactment or ceremony, often pulling
carriages. In some parts of the world, they are still used for practical purposes such as
farming.
Horses continue to be used in public service, in traditional ceremonies (parades, funerals),
police and volunteer mounted patrols and for
mounted search and rescue.
Riding halls, also known as indoor arenas or schools, enable training of horse and rider in all weathers as well as indoor competition riding.
History of horse use
Though there is controversy over the exact date horses were
domesticated and when they were first ridden, the best estimate is that horses first were ridden approximately 3500 BC. There is some evidence that about 3000 BC, near the
Dnieper River and the
Don River, people were using
bits on horses, as a
stallion that was buried there shows teeth wear consistent with using a bit.
[Chamberlin, J. Edward ''Horse: How the Horse has Shaped Civilization'' New York:BlueBridge 2006 ] However, the most unequivocal early
archaeological evidence of equines put to working use was of horses being driven.
Chariot burials about 2500 BC present the most direct hard evidence of horses used as
working animals. In ancient times chariot warfare was followed by the use of
war horses as light and heavy
cavalry. The horse played an important role throughout human history all over the world, both in warfare and in peaceful pursuits such as
transportation,
trade and
agriculture. Horses lived in North America, but died out at the end of the
Ice Age. Horses were brought back to North America by European explorers, beginning with the second voyage of
Columbus in 1493. Equestrianism was introduced in the
1900 Summer Olympics as an Olympic sport with jumping events.
Horse racing
Humans appear to have long expressed a desire to know which horse or horses were the fastest, and
horse racing has ancient roots.
Gambling on horse races appears to go hand-in hand with racing and has a long history as well.
Thoroughbreds have the pre-eminent reputation as a racing breed, but other breeds also race.
Types of horse racing
Under saddle:
*
Thoroughbred horse racing is the most popular form worldwide. In the UK, it is known as
flat racing and is governed by the
Jockey Club in the United Kingdom. In the US, horse racing is governed by the
Jockey Club. other light breeds are also raced worldwide.
*
Steeplechasing involves racing on a track where the horses also jump over obstacles. It is most common in the UK, where it is also called
National Hunt racing.
In harness:
* Both light and heavy breeds as well as ponies are raced in harness with a
sulky or racing bike. The
Standardbred dominates the sport in both
trotting and
pacing varieties.
* The United States Trotting Association organizes
harness racing in the United States.
* Harness racing is also found throughout Europe, New Zealand and Australia.
Distance racing:
*
Endurance riding, takes place over a given, measured distance and the horses have an even start. Top level races are usually , over mountainous or other natural terrain, with scheduled stops to take the horses' vital signs, check soundness and verify that the horse is fit to continue. The first horse to finish and be confirmed by the veterinarian as fit to continue is the winner. Limited distance rides of about are offered to newcomers. Variants include
Ride and Tie and various forms of
long riding.
International and Olympic disciplines
Equestrian events were first included in the modern
Olympic Games
The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international Olympic sports, sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a Multi-s ...
in 1900. By 1912, all three Olympic disciplines were part of the games. Three forms of competition are recognized worldwide and are a part of the
equestrian events at the Olympics. They are governed by the rules of the
International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI):
*
Dressage ("training" in
French) involves the progressive training of the horse to a high level of
impulsion,
collection and obedience. Competitive dressage has the goal of showing the horse carrying out, on request, the natural movements that it performs without thinking while running loose.
*
Show jumping comprises a timed event judged on the ability of the horse and rider to jump over a series of obstacles, in a given order and with the fewest refusals or knockdowns of portions of the obstacles.
*
Eventing, also called ''combined training'', ''horse trials'', the ''three-day event'', ''the Military'' or ''the complete test'', puts together the obedience of dressage with the athletic ability of show jumping, the fitness demands the
cross-country jumping phase. In the last-named, the horses jump over fixed obstacles, such as logs, stone walls,
banks,
ditches and
water, trying to finish the course under the "optimum time". There was formerly a 'Steeple Chase' phase, which has been excluded from most major competitions to bring them in line with the Olympic standard.
The additional internationally sanctioned but non-Olympic disciplines governed by the
FEI are:
combined driving;
endurance;
reining; and
vaulting. These disciplines are part of the
FEI World Equestrian Games every four years and may hold their own individual World Championships in other years. The FEI also recognizes
horseball and
tent pegging as its two regional disciplines.
Para-equestrian disciplines
Para-equestrian competition at the international level, including the
Paralympics, are also governed by the FEI and offer the following competition events:
* Para-Equestrian Dressage is conducted under the same rules as conventional Dressage, but with riders divided into different competition grades based on their functional abilities.
* Para-Equestrian Driving places competitors in grades based on their skill.
Haute École
The ''haute école'' (
F. "high school"), an advanced component of
Classical dressage, is a highly refined set of skills seldom used in competition but often seen in demonstration performances.
The world's leading Classical dressage programs include:
* The
Cadre Noir in
Saumur,
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
.
* The
Spanish Riding School in
Vienna,
Austria.
* The
Portuguese School of Equestrian Art at
Queluz National Palace,
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...
.
* The
Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in
Jerez de la Frontera,
Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
.
Other major classical teams include the
South African Lipizzaners and the
Hollandsche Manege of the
Netherlands
, Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
.
Horse shows
Horse shows are held throughout the world with a tremendous variety of possible events, equipment, attire, and judging standards used. However, most forms of horse show competition can be broken into the following broad categories:
*
Equitation, sometimes called ''seat and hands'' or ''horsemanship'', refers to events where the rider is judged on form, style and ability.
* ''Pleasure, flat'' or ''under saddle'' classes feature horses who are ridden on the flat (not jumped) and judged on manners, performance, movement, style and quality.
* ''Halter, in-hand breeding'' or ''conformation'' classes, where the horse is led by a handler on the ground and judged on conformation and suitability as a breeding animal.
* ''Harness'' classes, where the horse is
driven rather than ridden, but still judged on manners, performance and quality.
* ''Jumping'' or ''Over Fences'' refers broadly to both
show jumping and
show hunter, where horses and riders must jump obstacles.
English riding

In addition to the classical Olympic events, the following forms of competition are seen. In North America they are referred to as "
English riding" in contrast with western riding; elsewhere in the world, if a distinction is necessary, they are usually described as "classic riding":
*
Hunt seat or
Hunter classes judge the movement and the form of horses suitable for work over fences. A typical
show hunter division would include classes over fences as well as "Hunter under Saddle" or "flat" classes (sometimes called "hack" classes), in which the horse is judged on its performance, manners and movement without having to jump. Hunters have a long, flat-kneed trot, sometimes called "daisy cutter" movement, a phrase suggesting a good hunter could slice daisies in a field when it reaches its stride out. The over fences classes in
show hunter competition are judged on the form of the horse, its manners and the smoothness of the course. A horse with good jumping form snaps its knees up and jumps with a good
bascule. It should also be able to canter or gallop with control while having a stride long enough to make a proper number of strides over a given distance between fences. Hunter classes differ from jumper classes, in which they are not timed, and equitation classes, in which the rider's performance is the focus. Hunter style is based on fox hunting, so jumps in the hunter division are usually more natural colors than the jumps in a jumper division.
*
Eventing,
show jumping and
dressage, described under "Olympic disciplines", above are all "English" riding disciplines that in North America sometimes are loosely classified within the "hunt seat" category.
*
Saddle seat, is a primarily American discipline, though has recently become somewhat popular in
South Africa, was created to show to best advantage the animated movement of high-stepping and gaited breeds such as the
American Saddlebred and the
Tennessee Walker.
Arabians and
Morgans may also be shown saddle seat in the United States. There are usually three basic divisions. ''Park'' divisions are for the horses with the highest action. ''Pleasure'' divisions still emphasis animated action, but to a lesser degree, with manners ranking over animation. ''Plantation'' or ''Country'' divisions have the least amount of animation (in some breeds, the horses are flat-shod) and the greatest emphasis on manners.
*
Show hack is a competition seen primarily in the United Kingdom, Australia and other nations influenced by British traditions, featuring horses of elegant appearance, with excellent way of going and self-carriage. A related event is
riding horse.
Western riding
Western riding evolved from the cattle-working and warfare traditions brought to the Americas by the
Spanish, and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the working needs of the
cowboy on
ranches in the
American West.
The most noticeable feature of western style riding is the
western saddle, which has a substantial
saddle tree that provides support to horse and rider when working long hours in the saddle. The western saddle features a prominent pommel topped by a horn (a knob used for dallying a
lariat after roping an animal), wide
stirrups, and in some cases, both front and back cinches. The depth of the seat may depend on the activity, a deeper seat used for
barrel racing or
cutting cows or a more shallow seat for general ranch riding or
Steer wrestling.
Finished western horses are asked to perform with a loose rein controlled by one hand. The headstall of a western bridle may utilize either a
Snaffle bit or
curb bit. Bitless headstalls are also seen, such as a
bosal
A bosal (, , or ) is a type of noseband used on the classic hackamore of the ''vaquero'' tradition. It is usually made of braided rawhide (textile), rawhide and is fitted to the horse in a manner that allows it to rest quietly until the ride ...
-style
hackamore on younger horses, or various styles of
mechanical hackamore. In
Vaquero style training, a combination of a bosal and bit, called a "two-rein", is used at some stages of training. The standard western bridle lacks a
noseband and usually consists of a single set of reins attached to a
curb bit that has somewhat longer
shanks than the curb of an English
Weymouth bridle or a
pelham bit. Western bridles have either a
browband or else a "one ear" loop (sometimes two) that crosses in front of the horse's ear. Two styles of Western
reins developed: The long split reins of the Texas tradition, which are completely separated, or the "
Romal" reins of the California tradition, which are closed reins with a long single attachment (the romal) that can be used as a
quirt. Modern
rodeo competitors in timed events sometimes use a closed rein without a ''romal''.
Western riders wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants or jeans,
cowboy boots, and a wide-brimmed
cowboy hat. A rider may wear protective leather leggings called
chaps. Riders may wear brighter colors or finer fabrics in competition than for work. In particular, horse show events such as
Western pleasure may much flashier equipment. Saddles, bits and bridles are ornamented with substantial amounts of silver, rider clothing may have vivid colors and even rhinestones or sequins.
Harness

Horses,
ponies,
mules and
donkeys are driven in
harness in many different ways. For working purposes, they can pull a
plow or other
farm equipment designed to be pulled by animals. In many parts of the world they still pull
wagons for basic hauling and transportation. They may draw
carriages at ceremonies, in parades or for tourist rides.
As noted in "horse racing" ''above'', horses can race in harness, pulling a very lightweight cart known as a
sulky. At the other end of the spectrum, some
draft horses compete in
horse pulling competitions, where single or teams of horses and their drivers vie to determine who can pull the most weight for a short distance.
In
horse show competition, the following general categories of competition are seen:
*
Combined driving, an internationally recognized competition where horses perform an arena-based "dressage" class where precision and control are emphasized, a cross-country "marathon" section that emphasizes fitness and endurance, and a "stadium" or "cones" obstacle course.
*
Draft horse showing: Most
draft horse performance competition is done in harness.
*
Pleasure driving: Horses and ponies are usually hitched to a light cart shown at a walk and two speeds of trot, with an emphasis on manners.
*
Fine harness: Also called "Formal driving", Horses are hitched to a light four-wheeled cart and shown in a manner that emphasizes flashy action and dramatic performance.
*
Roadster: A horse show competition where exhibitors wear
racing silks and ride in a sulky in a style akin to
harness racing, only without actually racing, but rather focusing on manners and performance.
*
Carriage driving, using somewhat larger two or four wheeled carriages, often restored
antiques, judged on the turnout/neatness or suitability of horse and carriage.
Rodeo
Rodeo events include the following forms of competition:
Timed events
*
Barrel racing and
pole bending – the timed speed and agility events seen in
rodeo as well as
gymkhana or
O-Mok-See competition. Both men and women compete in speed events at gymkhanas or O-Mok-Sees; however, at most professional, sanctioned rodeos, barrel racing is an exclusively women's sport. In a barrel race, horse and rider gallop around a cloverleaf pattern of barrels, making agile turns without knocking the barrels over. In pole bending, horse and rider run the length of a line of six upright poles, turn sharply and weave through the poles, turn again and weave back, then return to the start.
*
Steer wrestling – Also known as "Bulldogging", this is a rodeo event where the rider jumps off his horse onto a steer and 'wrestles' it to the ground by grabbing it by the horns. This is probably the single most physically dangerous event in rodeo for the cowboy, who runs a high risk of jumping off a running horse head first and missing the steer or of having the thrown steer land on top of him, sometimes horns first.
*
Goat tying – usually an event for women or pre-teen girls and boys, a goat is staked out while a mounted rider runs to the goat, dismounts, grabs the goat, throws it to the ground and ties it in the same manner as a calf. This event was designed to teach smaller or younger riders the basics of calf roping without the more complex need to also lasso the animal.
Roping
Roping includes a number of timed events that are based on the real-life tasks of a working cowboy, who often had to capture calves and adult
cattle for
branding, medical treatment and other purposes. A lasso or
lariat is thrown over the head of a
calf or the horns of adult cattle, and the animal is secured in a fashion dictated by its size and age.
*
Calf roping, also called "tie-down roping", is an event where a calf is roped around the neck by a
lariat, the horse stops and sets back on the rope while the cowboy dismounts, runs to the calf, throws it to the ground and ties three feet together. (If the horse throws the calf, the cowboy must lose time waiting for the calf to get back to its feet so that the cowboy can do the work. The job of the horse is to hold the calf steady on the rope) This activity is still practiced on modern working ranches for
branding, medical treatment, and so on.
*
Team roping, also called "heading and heeling", is the only rodeo event where men and women riders may compete together. Two people capture and restrain a full-grown steer. One horse and rider, the "header", lassos a running steer's horns, while the other horse and rider, the "heeler", lassos the steer's two hind legs. Once the animal is captured, the riders face each other and lightly pull the steer between them, so that it loses its balance, thus in the real world allowing restraint for treatment.
*
Breakaway roping – an easier form of calf roping where a very short lariat is used, tied lightly to the saddle horn with string and a flag. When the calf is roped, the horse stops, allowing the calf to run on, flagging the end of time when the string and flag breaks from the saddle. In the United States, this event is primarily for women of all ages and boys under 12, while in some nations where traditional calf roping is frowned upon, riders of both genders compete.
"Rough Stock" competition

In spite of popular myth, most modern "broncs" are not in fact wild horses, but are more commonly spoiled riding horses or horses bred specifically as bucking stock.
* Bronc riding – there are two divisions in rodeo,
bareback bronc riding, where the rider rides a bucking horse holding onto a leather
surcingle or rigging with only one hand, and
saddle bronc riding, where the rider rides a modified western saddle without a horn (for safety) while holding onto a braided lead rope attached to the horse's halter.
* Bull Riding – though technically not an equestrian event, as the cowboys ride full-grown bulls instead of horses, skills similar to bareback bronc riding are required.
International rodeo
*
Australian rodeo
*
Chilean rodeo
*
Charreada
Other equestrian activities

There are many other forms of equestrian activity and sports seen worldwide. There are both competitive events and
pleasure riding disciplines available.
Arena sports
* Arena
polo and
Cowboy polo
*
Pato (Argentina's national sport)
*
Equestrian vaulting: In vaulting, a
surcingle with two hoops at the top is attached around a horse's
barrel. The horse also wears a
bridle with
side reins. The vaulter is
longed on the horse, and performs
gymnastic movements while the horse walks, trots, and canters.
*
Gymkhana, competition of timed pattern games, also known as ''O-Mok-See'' in the western United States.
Horse sports that use cattle
*
Bullfighting (''
rejoneo'')
**
Portuguese-style bullfighting
**
Spanish-style bullfighting
*
Campdrafting, a type of cattle-working competition popular in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
*
Cutting
*
Team penning
*
Working cow horse
Defined area sports
*
Buzkashi, a sport originating on the
steppes of central
Asia, now the national sport of
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...
and
Kyrgyzstan.
*
Cowboy mounted shooting
*
Horseball
*
Jousting and
Skill at Arms, events involving use of lances, swords and completion of obstacles. There are stand-alone competitions and also are often seen at
historical reenactments,
Renaissance Fairs and
Society for Creative Anachronism events.
*
Mounted archery
**
Yabusame
*
Mounted Games, a sport where games are played in a relay-style with two to five members per team at very high speed
*
Polo, a team game played on horses, involves riders using a long-handled
mallet to drive a ball on the ground into the opposing team's
goal while the opposing team defends their goal
*
Polocrosse
*
Tent pegging
Cross-country sports
*
Competitive Mounted Orienteering, a form of orienteering on horses (but unrelated to
orienteering) – consists of three stages: following a precise route marked on a map, negotiation of obstacles and control of paces.
*
Le Trec, which comprises three phases – trail riding, with jumping and correct basic flatwork. Le Trec, which is very popular in Europe, tests the partnership's ability to cope with an all-day ride across varied terrain, route finding, negotiating natural obstacles and hazards, while considering the welfare of the horse, respecting the countryside and enjoying all it has to offer.
*
Competitive trail riding, a
pace race held across terrain similar to
endurance riding, but shorter in length (25 – , depending on class). Being a form of
pace race, the objective is not to finish in the least time. Instead, as in other forms of
judged trail riding, each competitor is graded on everything including physical condition, campsite and horse management. Horsemanship also is considered, including how the rider handles the trail and how horse is handled and presented to the judge and vet throughout the ride. The horse is graded on performance, manners, etc. "Pulse and respiration" stops check the horse's recovery ability. The judges also set up obstacles along the trail and the horse and rider are graded on how well they perform as a team. The whole point is the partnership between the horse and rider.
*
Cross Country Jumping, a jumping course that contains logs and natural obstacles mostly. The common clothes worn are usually brighter colors and less conservative.
*
Endurance riding, a competition usually of 50 to or more, over mountainous or other natural terrain, with scheduled stops to take the horses' vital signs, check soundness and verify that the horse is fit to continue. The first horse to finish and be confirmed by the veterinarian as fit to continue is the winner. Additional awards are usually given to the best-conditioned horses who finish in the top 10.
*
Fox hunting
* Hacking, or
pleasure riding.
*
Hunter Pacing is a sport where a horse and rider team travel a trail at speeds based the ideal conditions for the horse, with competitors seeking to ride closest to that perfect time. Hunter paces are usually held in a series. Hunter paces are usually a few miles long and covered mostly at a canter or gallop. The horsemanship and management skills of the rider are also considered in the scoring, and periodic stops are required for veterinarians to check the vital signs and overall soundness of the horses.
*
Ride and Tie is a form of
endurance riding in which teams of 3 (two humans and one horse) alternate running and riding.
*
Steeplechase, a distance horse race with diverse fence and ditch obstacles.
*
Trail Riding, pleasure riding any breed horse, any style across the land.
Health issues
Horseback riding is a leading cause of sports-related traumatic brain injury in the United States. A 2023 study of 210 equestrians found a higher incidence of concussion in equestrian sports than football or rugby.
Handling, riding and driving horses have inherent risks. Horses are large prey animals with a well-developed
flight or fight instinct able to move quickly and unexpectedly. When mounted, the rider's head may be up to from the ground, and the horse may travel at a speed of up to . The injuries observed range from very minor injuries to fatalities.
A study in
Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
reported that the
relative risk of injury from riding a horse, compared to riding a bicycle, was 9 times higher for
adolescents and 5.6 times higher for younger
children, but that riding a horse was less risky than riding a
moped.
In
Victoria, Australia, a search of state records found that equestrian sports had the third highest incidence of serious injury, after
motor sports and
power boating.
In
Greece, an analysis of a national registry estimated the incidence of equestrian injury to be 21 per 100,000 person-years for farming and equestrian sports combined, and 160 times higher for
horse racing personnel. Other findings noted that helmets likely prevent traumatic brain injuries.
In the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
each year an estimated 30 million people ride horses, resulting in 50,000
emergency department visits (1 visit per 600 riders per year).
A survey of 679 equestrians in Oregon, Washington and Idaho estimated that at some time in their equestrian career one in five will be seriously injured, resulting in hospitalization, surgery or long-term disability.
Among survey respondents, novice equestrians had an incidence of any injury that was threefold over intermediates, fivefold over advanced equestrians, and nearly eightfold over professionals. Approximately 100 hours of experience are required to achieve a substantial decline in the risk of injury. The survey authors conclude that efforts to prevent equestrian injury should focus on novice equestrians.
Mechanisms of injury
The most common injury is falling from the horse, followed by being kicked, trampled and bitten. About 3 out of 4 injuries are due to falling, broadly defined.
["Most injuries result from falls (80%)", ''Horse riding during pregnancy'', MS Rogers.] A broad definition of falling often includes being crushed and being thrown from the horse, but when reported separately each of these mechanisms may be more common than being kicked.
Types and severity of injury
In
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
, a 10-year study of trauma center patients injured while riding reported that although 48% had suffered head injuries, only 9% of these riders had been wearing helmets at the time of their accident. Other injuries involved the chest (54%), abdomen (22%) and extremities (17%).
A German study reported that injuries in horse riding are rare compared to other sports, but when they occur they are severe. Specifically, they found that 40% of horse riding injuries were fractures, and only 15% were sprains. Furthermore, the study noted that in Germany, one quarter of all sport related fatalities are caused by horse riding.
Most horse related injuries are a result of falling from a horse, which is the cause of 60–80% of all such reported injuries.
Another common cause of injury is being kicked by a horse, which may cause skull fractures or severe trauma to the
internal organs. Some possible injuries resulting from horse riding, with the percent indicating the amounts in relation to all injuries as reported by a
New Zealand
New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
study,
include:
* Arm fracture or dislocation (31%)
* Head injury (21%)
* Leg fracture or dislocation (15%)
* Chest injury (33%)
Among 36 members and employees of the
Hong Kong Jockey Club who were seen in a trauma center during a period of 5 years, 24 fell from horses and 11 were kicked by the horse. Injuries comprised: 18 torso; 11 head, face or neck; and 11 limb.
The authors of this study recommend that helmets, face shields and body protectors be worn when riding or handling horses.
In
New South Wales,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
, a study of equestrians seen at one hospital over a 6-year period found that helmet use both increased over time and was correlated with a lower rate of admission. However, 81% of admissions were wearing a helmet at the time of injury,
In the second half of the study period, of the equestrians seen at a hospital, only 14% were admitted. In contrast, a study of child equestrians seen at a hospital emergency department in
Adelaide reported that 60% were admitted.
In the United States, an analysis of
National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data performed by the Equestrian Medical Safety Association studied 78,279 horse-related injuries in 2007: "The most common injuries included fractures (28.5%); contusions/abrasions (28.3%); strain/sprain (14.5%); internal injury (8.1%); lacerations (5.7%); concussions (4.6%); dislocations (1.9%); and hematomas (1.2%). Most frequent injury sites are the lower trunk (19.6%); head (15.0%); upper trunk (13.4%); shoulder (8.2%); and wrist (6.8%). Within this study patients were treated and released (86.2%), were hospitalized (8.7%), were transferred (3.6%), left without being treated (0.8%), remained for observation (0.6%) and arrived at the hospital deceased (0.1%)."
Head injuries
Horseback riding is one of the most dangerous sports, especially in relation to head injury. Statistics from the United States, for example, indicate that about 30 million people ride horses annually. On average, about 67,000 people are admitted to the hospital each year from injuries sustained while working with horses. 15,000 of those admittances are from traumatic brain injuries. Of those, about 60 die each year from their brain injuries. Studies have found horseback riding to be more dangerous than several sports, including skiing, auto racing and football.
Horseback riding has a higher hospital admittance rate per hours of riding than motorcycle racing, at 0.49 per thousand hours of riding and 0.14 accidents per thousand hours, respectively.
Head injuries are especially traumatic in horseback riding. About two-thirds of all riders requiring hospitalization after a fall have sustained a traumatic brain injury.
Falling from a horse without wearing a helmet is comparable to being struck by a car.
Most falling deaths are caused by head injury.
The use of riding helmets substantially decreases the likelihood and severity of head injuries. When a rider falls with a helmet, he or she is five times less likely to experience a traumatic brain injury than a rider who falls without a helmet.
Helmets work by crushing on impact and extending the length of time it takes the head to stop moving. Despite this, helmet usage rates in North America are estimated to be between eight and twenty percent.
Once a helmet has sustained an impact from falling, that part of the helmet is structurally weakened, even if no visible damage is present. Helmet manufacturers recommend that a helmet that has undergone impact from a fall be replaced immediately. In addition, helmets should be replaced every three to five years; specific recommendations vary by manufacturer.
Rules on helmet use in competition
Many organizations mandate helmet use in competition or on show grounds, and rules have continually moved in the direction of requiring helmet use. In 2011, the United States Equestrian Federation passed a rule making helmet use mandatory while mounted on competition grounds at U.S. nationally rated eventing competitions. Also in 2011, the United States Dressage Federation made helmet use in competition mandatory for all riders under 18 and all riders who are riding any test at Fourth Level and below. If a rider competing at Prix St. Georges and above is also riding a test at Fourth Level or below, he or she must also wear a helmet at all times while mounted.
Riding astride

The idea that riding a horse astride could injure a woman's sex organs is a historic, but sometimes popular even today, misunderstanding or misconception, particularly that riding astride can damage the
hymen.
Evidence of injury to any female sex organs is scant. In female high-level athletes, trauma to the
perineum is rare and is associated with certain sports (see
Pelvic floor#Clinical significance). The type of trauma associated with
equestrian sports has been termed "horse riders' perineum".
A
case series of 4 female mountain bike riders and 2 female horse riders found both patient-reported perineal pain and evidence of
sub-clinical changes in the
clitoris
In amniotes, the clitoris ( or ; : clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous zone, erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female Human sexuality, sexual pleasure. Th ...
;
the relevance of these findings to horse riding is unknown.
In men, sports-related injuries are among the major causes of testicular trauma. In a small
controlled but
unblinded study of 52 men,
varicocele was significantly more common in equestrians than in non-equestrians.
The difference between these two groups was small, however, compared to differences reported between extreme
mountain bike riders and non-riders,
and also between mountain bike riders and on-road bicycle riders.
Horse-riding injuries to the
scrotum (
contusions) and
testes (
blunt trauma) were well known to surgeons in the 19th century and early 20th century.
[ pp. 598, 615] Injuries from collision with the pommel of a saddle are mentioned specifically.
See also
*
Glossary of equestrian terms
*
List of equestrian sports
References
External links
International Federation for Equestrian SportsFEI official homepage
*
United States Equestrian Federationbr>
USEF Official web site*
Equestrian Federation of Australiabr>
Equestrian Federation of Australia web site*
Equestrian Federation of Irelandbr>
– EFI web siteEquestrian Federation of KazakhstanRussian �
Equestrian Federation of KazakhstanEnglish
United States Dressage FederationAmerican Endurance Ride ConferenceThe North American Trail Ride Conference– Competitive Trail Riding
UK Endurance Horse RidingRide and Tie AssociationThe American Vaulting Association– Equestrian Vaulting
Danish Riding FederationNational Cutting Horse Association
{{Short description, Use of horses for sport or work
Individual sports
*
Uses of boots
Summer Olympic sports