Led by UK HealthCare in response to the large number of riders admitted to UK’s Emergency Department, the five-year campaign aims to increase awareness and educate riders not only in Kentucky, but nationally and internationally, about riding and horse handling safety. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the number and severity of rider injuries. Launched during the lead-up to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the campaign’s purpose is to help make a great sport safer.

“So often, injuries are incurred due to a lack of knowledge or understanding of equine behavior,” Beshear said. “Through this program, we hope to educate current and future riders in an effort to curb preventable injuries.  The Games provide the perfect opportunity to highlight this initiative.”

The statistics underscore the need. According to national figures, an estimated 30 million people ride horses each year, generating approximately 79,000 emergency room visits, with more than 13% of those patients admitted to the hospital. (Source: National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, 2007 estimates). While injuries to arms and legs are the most commonly treated, neck and head injuries rank second in frequency and are a significant percentage of those admitted