Classification of horse falls: predicting the severity of injuries and outcomes of horse falls in a rural setting

Erica Dean, Sarah Ritchie, Stacey Casley, Henry Hicks

Abstract

In 1995, a classification system for horse falls was created, based on presentations to a rural emergency department (ED)1. Other studies have since looked at the pattern of injuries2, however there is still no recognised classification system. Many medical staff have had no exposure to equine activities. Thus it is not always obvious how significant a fall may have been. Horse falls can result in severe injury and poor outcomes3.

A retrospective audit was conducted from December 2017 to March 2018 and the classification system applied.

Type 1: dismount or sliding fall directly onto feet +/- toppling over, point of contact lower half of body;
Type 2: sliding fall, point of contact upper half of body;
Type 3: rider thrown clear of horse or tumbling fall or fall of horse and rider or rider thrown into second object.

There were a total of 35 falls, of which 5% were Type 1, 37% were Type 2 and 57% were Type 3. A prospective database from 01 April 2018 has been established to inform further research in this area.