Equestrianism
This broad description includes the use of horses for practical working purposes, transportation, recreational activities, artistic or cultural exercises, and competitive sport.
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.
Chariot burials about 2500 BC present the most direct hard evidence of horses used as working animals.
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 were brought back to North America by European explorers, beginning with the second voyage of Columbus in 1493.
Under saddle: In harness: Distance racing: Equestrian events were first included in the modern Olympic Games in 1900.
Horse shows are held throughout the world with a tremendous variety of possible events, equipment, attire, and judging standards used.
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.
Saddles, bits and bridles are ornamented with substantial amounts of silver, rider clothing may have vivid colors and even rhinestones or sequins.
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.
Horses are large prey animals with a well-developed flight or fight instinct able to move quickly and unexpectedly.
[22][23] 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.
[24][25] In Canada, 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.
[26] A German study reported that injuries in horse riding are rare compared to other sports, but when they occur they are severe.
Furthermore, the study noted that in Germany, one quarter of all sport related fatalities are caused by horse riding.
[30] 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, 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,[31] 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.
Statistics from the United States, for example, indicate that about 30 million people ride horses annually.
[36] Studies have found horseback riding to be more dangerous than several sports, including skiing, auto racing and football.
[37] Helmets work by crushing on impact and extending the length of time it takes the head to stop moving.
[44] 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.
In female high-level athletes, trauma to the perineum is rare and is associated with certain sports (see Pelvic floor#Clinical significance).
In a small controlled but unblinded study of 52 men, varicocele was significantly more common in equestrians than in non-equestrians.
