The American Horse Council reported 258,400 youth were involved in 4-H horse and pony programs in 1994. In 1999, 13,390 youth were members of the United States Pony Club. The actual number of youth participating in equestrian activities is greater since many youth are not members of equestrian organizations. Horseback riding tends to be more popular among girls than boys. Horses can weigh up to 1100 pounds and travel up to 40 MPH.

• Nationwide in 1999, an estimated 15,000 horse-related emergency department visits were made by youth under 15 years old.
• In 1998 and 1999, youth under 15 years represented roughly 20% of all horse-related emergency room visits nationwide.
• The most frequent types of injury include fractures, soft tissue, and head injuries.
• The most frequent body parts injured, in order, include arms, legs, and head/face.
• The most frequent cause of death and serious injury for mounted and dismounted horse activities is head injury
• A 2000 study of U.S. horse-related pediatric trauma events revealed 36% occurred at the youth's home, 23% at a recreational area, 19% on a farm, and 5% at school.
• In a U.S. study of youth sports and recreational injuries, the highest proportion of injury events involving multiple injuries were due to riding animals - a higher proportion than bicycling, in-line skating, or sports-related falls.
• A population-based study in rural Wisconsin revealed the horse-related injury rate for youth under 16 years to be 5.6 injuries per 10,000 person-years compared to 3.9 per 10,000 for adults.

• Studies indicate roughly 20-30% of horse-related injuries occur while dismounted such as leading, grooming, or playing around a horse.
• Mounted injuries most often involve a youth falling off or being thrown from a horse. Dismounted injuries most often involve a youth being kicked or trodden by a horse.
• One Australian study found that youth injuries sustained while dismounted were more likely to require hospitalization than mounted injuries (42% vs. 30%).

• Reliable and current information on helmet use among horse riders is not available. Studies suggest helmet use is more common among girls than boys and English riders than Western riders. Youth using horses to perform work are less likely to wear a helmet.

• Female gender
• 10-19 years
• No helmet use
• Immature judgment, risk taking, motor skills or technique
• More experienced riders (5+ years)
• Riding English style
• Riding 15-24 hours per month
• Horse being "spooked" by another animal, car, etc.

• physical size, strength, balance, and coordination to ride a horse
• cognitive capacity to look for and react to potential hazards and follow directions
• Good judgment to not act impulsively or take excessive risks while riding
• Physically and mentally disabled youth should be evaluated by appropriate medical personnel to determine if therapeutic riding is a suitable and appropriate activity.

*American Society of Testing Materials, ASTM F-1163-99

^†Safety Equipment Institute, SEI