Quiz Tests Equestrians on Rider Safety
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 28, 2011) — How aware are you of the potential accidents that could happen if you don't know the safety rules of riding? You can now test your knowledge before getting back on a horse by taking the simple 12 question safety quiz found on the Saddle Up Safely website.
The safety quiz comes on the heels of a national survey conducted in September 2010 by Saddle Up Safely, a rider safety awareness coalition of 40 community organizations led by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture's Equine Initiative and UK HealthCare, which revealed that most riders don't get enough training in safety or they rate their safety knowledge low.
"Our study and a number of others showed that many injuries can be prevented or reduced in severity by practicing safe horsemanship," said Fernanda Camargo, assistant professor, equine extension specialist, at the UK College of Agriculture.
The most common injuries in horseback riding are fractures, bruises and abrasions, sprains and strains, internal injuries and concussions. Injuries are most often caused by falls, but people can be kicked, stepped on or fallen on by horses.
Dr. Julia Martin, associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the UK College of Medicine said the most severely injured riders are seen at UK HealthCare's Chandler Hospital.
"If there was one recommended behavior we would like to see, it would be for every equestrian, whether novice or experienced, young or old, to wear an approved, correctly fitting helmet," she said.
Saddle Up Safely is one of a number of organizations including the certified Horsemanship Association and the 4H Clubs who are trying to make the great sport of horse riding safer. To learn more about what you can do to improve your knowledge of horse riding safety, go to www.saddleupsafely.org or call (859) 323-5508.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Blackford ann.blackford@uky.edu or (859) 323-6363 ext. 230