Their are many dangers in the equine world know matter what sport or activity it is. In horse racing, both horse and rider are at high risk for danger. If a horse stumbles and falls when running or falls jumping over an obstacle it could put the jockey and horse at risk of being trampled.
A study was done by Anna Waller of jockey injuries over a 4 year period. She came to a conclusion that for every 1000 jockeys racing over 600 will have medically treated injuries. Of these injuries almost 20% were serious neck and head injuries. Between 1993-1996 the study found that 6,545 injuries happened.
Horses face a lot of danger as well as jockeys. Horses are started at a young age into the racing industry. This can cause problems in the long run for the horses life. Such as hock, ankle or tendon injuries. Most of these injuries always happen with the legs. Out of every 1000 horses that start in the USA, 1.5 die. In 2006 there is an estimate of over 600 horses that have died at the racetracks. |
