A September 2010 survey conducted 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, reveals that equestrians are experiencing too many riding accidents that could be prevented or minimized.

Of the 500 equestrians selected from a national search panel, 221 (45.5%) had been injured at least once due to a riding accident or handling injury with an average of four injuries reported. Of the 221 individuals injured, 57% sought medical treatment.

Of the 221 that were injured, 66% said it was due to rider error, and 23% had to stop riding for an extended period.

A little over a third (35.7%) of riders rode alone the last time they rode, and only 43.8% of all riders wore a helmet