Equestrian sports are a growing and competitive industry, with more than $500 million in annual revenues. This rapid growth has been accompanied by a rise in serious injuries and incidents among competitors, and eventing is no exception. In the past 10 years, the percentage of fatalities and injuries in eventing has increased at an alarming rate. Many equestrians may not know that these types of injuries are entirely preventable. Even so, eventing injuries are serious and can have long-lasting impacts on horse health and performance. Some of the most common injuries seen in eventing include hoof problems, musculoskeletal injuries, and metabolic diseases. The most common health problems in eventing are discussed below.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Musculoskeletal injuries are one of the most common types of injuries seen in eventing. The most common types of musculoskeletal injuries include back and vertebral injuries, tendinitis and tendon tears, hamstring injuries, and joint injuries such as carpel tunnel syndrome. Musculoskeletal injuries are almost always caused by a rider trying too hard to stay in the saddle and over-extending their horse. They are usually the result of poor riding practices such as using a whip excessively, over-training, or ridden in a poorly designed tack set-up.If you’re reading this, you probably know that the horse is the main athlete in eventing, not you. So it’s important to remember that the best way to prevent a musculoskeletal injury is to ride your horse at an appropriate level. The most important factors that will prevent injuries are: appropriate horse fitness level, correct rider position, correct rider aids, a balanced tack set-up, and proper ground training techniques.
Breaking a Hoof
One of the most common health problems in eventing is broken or damaged hooves. Many eventers ride on hard or caged shoes, which can lead to hoof damage and breakage. Another common health issue is over-trimming the hooves, which can cause hoof cracks. Over-trimming the hooves can also lead to hoof damage and breakage. It’s important to remember that all hoof injuries require veterinary care and can be very time consuming and expensive to treat. The most common hoof problems seen in eventing are hoof wall cracks, split hooves, and damage to the hoof wall. Hoof wall cracks are a serious hoof injury that requires immediate attention. To prevent hoof wall cracks, keep an eye on your horse’s hooves and inspect them regularly. If you notice any abnormalities, bring your horse to a veterinarian right away.
Fractures and Dislocations
Fractures and dislocations are not uncommon in eventing, and are usually the result of a horse falling and impacting another horse, rider, or other horse. A fall-related injury can be very serious, especially if it’s a compound fracture or a spiral fracture. A spiral fracture is very serious and requires immediate veterinary attention. If you notice any abnormalities after a fall, bring your horse to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Strangulation and Entrapment
Strangulation and entrapment are two very serious injuries that can occur when a rider is trapped in a loose part of the bridle. The most common types of rider-bridle entrapment injuries are related to the bit, martingale, and browband. It’s important to remember that most health issues related to these parts of the bridle are preventable, and can be resolved with a good cleaning and re-fitting of the bridle. The most common health problems related to rider-bridle entrapment are mouth ulcers and lacerations.
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious metabolic disease that causes the breakdown of muscle tissue. It’s most commonly seen as a result of trauma, but can also be caused by certain drugs and metabolic diseases. The symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are very severe and can include muscle weakness, muscle pain, and a dark-colored urine. The most common health problems related to rhabdomyolysis are metabolic diseases, traumatic injuries, and injections of certain drugs.
Conclusion
Eventing is an extremely competitive and high-risk sport, and most injuries can be prevented with proper training techniques and rider equipment. There are many ways to prevent injuries in eventing, and one of the most important things you can do is keep an eye on your horse’s hooves and body and report any abnormalities to a veterinarian right away. If you want to keep riding and keep your horse in great shape, it’s important to follow these guidelines to help prevent injuries.