Horses are majestic creatures that have been a part of human life for centuries. In Australia, horses have been used for recreational activities such as racing, jumping, and competing in rodeos. However, horses can also be dangerous and have been known to cause serious injuries and even death when not handled properly. In this article, we’ll explore the issue of how many people are killed by horses each year in Australia.
Horse-Related Deaths in Australia
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were twenty-five deaths due to horse-related incidents in Australia between 2013 and 2018. Of these deaths, twenty-two were due to riding accidents, two were due to a horse-riding related fall, and one was due to a horse-related motor vehicle incident.
Types of Horse-Related Deaths
The majority of horse-related deaths in Australia are due to riding accidents. These can occur when the rider falls off the horse or is thrown off, or when the horse trips, rears up, or bolts. Falls from horses can also occur when the rider is inexperienced or when the horse is not properly trained or not used to being ridden.
The second most common type of horse-related death in Australia is due to a horse-related motor vehicle incident. These incidents can occur when a horse is startled by a car, truck, or other vehicle and bolts onto the road. They can also occur when a horse is frightened by a passing vehicle and rears up, causing the rider to fall off.
Risk Factors
There are a number of risk factors that increase the chances of a horse-related death in Australia. The first is inexperience. Those who are inexperienced in riding or handling horses are more likely to be involved in a riding accident. Additionally, those who are riding horses that are not properly trained or not used to being ridden are also more likely to be involved in an accident.
Other risk factors include the use of drugs or alcohol while riding, riding in areas with traffic or other potential hazards, and riding in extreme weather conditions. Additionally, riders who do not wear the proper safety equipment such as a helmet can also be at increased risk of a horse-related death.
Prevention
Fortunately, there are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent horse-related deaths in Australia. The first is for riders to make sure they are properly trained and experienced before riding a horse. Riders should also make sure the horse is properly trained and used to being ridden.
Riders should also wear the proper safety equipment such as a helmet and make sure they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol while riding. Riders should also be aware of potential hazards such as traffic or extreme weather conditions and take steps to avoid them.
Legislation and Regulation
The Australian government has implemented a number of regulations and laws to help reduce the number of horse-related deaths in Australia. These include laws requiring riders to wear safety helmets while riding and laws requiring horses to be adequately trained and used to being ridden.
The government has also implemented laws that require riders to be at least sixteen years old before they can ride certain types of horses and laws that require riders to be of a certain level of competency before they can ride. These regulations and laws are in place to help reduce the number of horse-related deaths in Australia.
Statistics
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were twenty-five deaths due to horse-related incidents in Australia between 2013 and 2018. Of these deaths, twenty-two were due to riding accidents, two were due to a horse-riding related fall, and one was due to a horse-related motor vehicle incident.
In 2018, there were four horse-related deaths in Australia. This is a decrease from the eight deaths that occurred in 2017, and a decrease from the peak of nine deaths in 2016. This decrease is likely due to the regulations and laws that have been put in place to help reduce the number of horse-related deaths in Australia.
Horse-Related Deaths Compared to Other Causes of Death
When compared to other causes of death in Australia, horse-related deaths are relatively rare. In 2018, there were twenty-two deaths due to drowning, twenty-five due to motor vehicle accidents, and forty-seven due to falls. These deaths dwarfed the four horse-related deaths that occurred in the same year.
When compared to other causes of death in Australia, it is clear that horse-related deaths are relatively rare. This is likely due to the regulations and laws that have been put in place to help reduce the number of horse-related deaths in Australia.
Conclusion
Horse-related deaths in Australia are relatively rare, but they do occur. The Australian government has implemented regulations and laws to help reduce the number of deaths, and these regulations and laws appear to be having an effect.
In 2018, there were twenty-five horse-related deaths in Australia. Of these deaths, twenty-two were due to riding accidents, two were due to a horse-riding related fall, and one was due to a horse-related motor vehicle incident.
When compared to other causes of death in Australia, horse-related deaths are relatively rare. However, riders should still take steps to ensure their safety when riding, such as wearing the proper safety equipment, being adequately trained and experienced, and avoiding potential hazards.
FAQs
- How many people are killed by horses each year in Australia?
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were twenty-five deaths due to horse-related incidents in Australia between 2013 and 2018.
- What are the most common types of horse-related deaths in Australia?
The majority of horse-related deaths in Australia are due to riding accidents, followed by horse-related motor vehicle incidents.
- What steps can be taken to prevent horse-related deaths in Australia?
Riders should make sure they are properly trained and experienced before riding a horse, wear the proper safety equipment such as a helmet, and be aware of potential hazards such as traffic or extreme weather conditions.
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2019, May 21). Causes of Death, Australia, 2018. Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/3303.0~2018~Main%20Features~Causes%20of%20Death~13
Australian Government. (n.d.). Horse Riding Safety. Retrieved from https://www.racing.com/safety/horse-riding-safety