What Are the Dangers of Horse Bites and Falls?

According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, 62,693 horse-related injuries required treatment in American hospitals in 1998. A 1993 study by a neurosurgeon who analyzed reports from medical examiners in 10 states reported 217 horse-related deaths per year in the United States. For equestrian experiences to remain pleasant and safe, riders must take precautions and understand how to handle common horse hazards, such as biting or falling. Wearing protective head gear, learning techniques for cushioning falls, understanding your horse's temperament, and establishing yourself as a well-meaning master can help prepare you for potential dangers.

  1. Horse Fall Occurrences

    • Horse falls may occur because your horse suddenly stops, stumbles, changes direction with a jolt or becomes frightened or excited, "spooking" to the side or bucking you from the saddle. While falls are usually harmless, they can result in major physical injury. Some trainers teach emergency dismount techniques to help cushion potential falls. Wearing protective gloves can also help you maintain a tight grip on the reins while riding. An ASTM SEI-certified equestrian helmet helps protect your head from injury in the event of an unexpected tumble, as head injuries are one of the most serious risks of horse falls.

    Horse Fall Injuries

    • The Hughston Sports Medicine Foundation reports that equestrian injuries are more common than motorcycle injuries. Bruised, sprained or strained muscles, ligaments, tendons and skin are the most common injuries resulting from horse falls, followed by broken or dislocated bones. Concussions and long-term effects from head injuries such as seizures or brain damage are more rare, but also possible, along with spinal injuries that can yield effects as dire as paralysis.

    Horse Bite Dangers

    • Horse bites can be exceedingly dangerous, with potential to result in death or severe injuries. Wendy Hilton, horse trainer at Cornerstone Training, refers to instances of a person being killed by a single horse bite and another having muscle ripped from his arms. According to physician Klaus-Dietrich Wolff, any wound from an animal bite is subject to contamination and severe risk of infection because of the amount of bacteria in an animals' oral cavity.

    Addressing a Biting Horse

    • One method Wendy Hilton suggests for conditioning your horse against any undesired behavior, such as nipping, is focusing your horse on an activity that will require movement and work until it works up a sweat. Then you may offer the horse a chance to stand beside you peacefully, but begin the strenuous activity again if the behavior resurfaces. Taking time to assess why the horse has bitten -- whether out of fear, discomfort, pain, eagerness, or dominance efforts and whether during feeding, saddle-fitting or feeling ignored -- can help you determine what measures can ensure that the horse's motivation for biting is promptly addressed. If you do not have the time, patience or expertise to address the behavior yourself, you should seek any necessary assistance from a veterinarian or professional trainer.