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Website with information on riding areas.
 
 
Horse advocacy group - working for better public access for horse recreation.Get the latest information, add your support to submissions, provide feedback or ideas to improve the group via our Mailing List
 

 
 
 
 

Injury Information

Horse Safety and Injury Information from ACC

Safe horses, safe riders 

ACC has worked closely with the New Zealand Pony Clubs Association (NZPCA) to develop a DVD and accompanying booklet aimed at promoting safe horse riding and horse handling practices. These have been distributed to the NZPCA clubs but are also available to members of the public. The primary target audience for these resources is younger riders but they are appropriate for all age groups.
 
You can order these resources at thinksafe@acc.co.nz, quoting the following reference numbers:

•  Save horses, safe riders booklet (ACC4314)

 •  Safe horses, safe riders DVD (ACC4336)
 

Recreational horse injury statistics

Recreational horse riding is the sixth most costly sport for ACC, and even ranks ahead of rugby league.
 
 
 

Concussion

 
Head injuries are one of the common injuries suffered by Horse Riders. Wearing an approved helmet will decrease the chances of you suffering a serious head injury (including death), however, you can still suffer a concussion injury with or without a helmet on.

What is concussion:
Concussion can occur following sudden violent movement of the head, usually by being struck or in a fall or collision. Most damage is caused by rotation and acceleration (e.g. spinning of the head caused by a blow to the side of the head). 

 
 Concussion may occur with or without loss of consciousness.

What should you do if a concussion occurs?


•  ALWAYS assume a cervical spine injury if the person is unconscious.

 •  If there is any risk of a neck injury, stabilise the person's head and neck, then get help.

 •  When appropriate support (doctor or ambulance crew) has stabilised the neck with a collar, the person may be taken from the area on a scoop stretcher or spinal board.

 •  A doctor or sports medic should make a thorough medical assessment, record the symptoms and events leading to the injury, and make further hospital referral if required.

 •  No concussed person should return to riding or similar activities until they have been cleared by a medical professional.
 
A responsible adult should stay with the concussed person for at least the next 24 hours.
 
ACC has developed a ‘CONCUSSION CHECK’ that is the size of a credit card, and details signs and symptoms and tests for concussion. 
 
You can obtain a pack, by calling 0800 THINKSAFE (0800 844 657), or by using the online order form 
 

 

 

In the 12 years to 2004, 37 crashes involving horses on New Zealand roads were reported. One was fatal, 10 resulted in serious injury, and 24 resulted in minor injuries. Two were non-injury.

In total, 70 people were hurt, roughly split between riders and the occupants of vehicles. No figures were available on the accident outcome for the horses involved.

The toll is hardly about to cause sleepless nights in the Beehive, with 400 people dying each year in car and truck accidents, and thousands more injured.

The comparatively low accident rate could indicate that riders are being displaced; fewer riders are venturing onto the roads.  It may also indicate that the accident rate on the road is under-reported.


Did you know?
 
That a fall from a horse may have been the major contributor to Jack Lovelock's early death? The legendary runner suffered a number of head injuries, the worst of which was a fall from a horse that left him unconcious for 2 days. He suffered eyesight and balance problems for the rest of his life (common symptoms of brain injury) and this is thought to be the reason for his fall in front of a train years later.