Is Horseback Riding More Dangerous Than Other Sports?

Horseback riding is in fact a sport. The definition of sport is “ an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess .” This means that horseback riding is considered a sport as it requires physical talent and strength, as well as lots of skill. The Olympics even started recognizing horseback riding as a sport in the year 1912!

A new study found tha t at least 45,000 Americans visited a major trauma center with horseback-related traumatic injury during a recent 10 -year stretch—meaning that horseback riding likely sends more people to the hospital than other sports like football, auto and motorcycle racing, and skiing.

Ask anyone what the most dangerous sport is, and you’d probably hear football. Or auto racing. Or cliff diving. Pretty much anything but the correct answer: Horseback riding.

The results indicate that riders should be encouraged to protect themselves more often while riding, especially through wearing helmets, the researchers say. Horseback riding, or equestrianism, is fairly popular in the U.S., though current estimates are difficult to come by.