Towards a safer sport: Risk factors for cross-country horse falls at British Eventing competition.

Background: Equestrian eventing is a dangerous Olympic sport, with 16 rider and 69 horse fatalities at competition in the last 10 years. Despite this, there is limited research that aims to improve safety within the sport.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for horse falls, which are the leading cause of rider fatality within the sport.

The effect of two preparation procedures on an equine arena surface in relation to motion of the hoof and metacarpophalangeal joint.

A link between surface characteristics and injury has been identified in equine disciplines. Maintenance procedures are reported to affect surface characteristics and could influence horse movement. The study investigated limb and hoof movement on a synthetic surface following two different preparations (harrowing and rolling).

Effects of a stretching regime on stride length and range of motion in equine trot.

The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of two different 8-week stretching regimes on stride length (SL) and range of motion (ROM) in the equine trot. Eighteen horses were divided into three matched groups: a 6 days/week stretching regime (6DSR), a 3 days/week stretching regime (3DSR) and a control no-stretching regime (NSR). SL and ROM data were collected at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 for trot in-hand.