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Sport-specific baselines

Baseline Testing for Equestrian Athletes

One of the highest concussion rates per hour of any sport — with almost no organized baseline infrastructure.

3 min read

Horseback riding produces one of the highest concussion rates per hour of participation of any sport, according to research published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. Falls from height (horses stand 5–6 feet at the head), kicks from horses, and rotational ejections create significant head injury risk.

Yet equestrian sports have virtually no organized baseline testing programs because there’s no centralized league structure to mandate them. If your child rides competitively, pursue individual baseline testing proactively through a concussion clinic like Headquarters.

See also concussions in “safe” sports for the broader argument on non-contact concussion risk.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

How risky is horseback riding for concussion?
Research in the American Journal of Sports Medicine places equestrian sports among the highest concussion rates per hour of participation of any sport.
What are the common injury mechanisms?
Falls from height (horses stand 5–6 feet at the head), kicks from horses, and rotational ejections all create significant head injury risk.
Do equestrian leagues mandate baseline testing?
No. Equestrian sports have virtually no organized baseline testing programs because there's no centralized league structure to mandate them.
What should equestrian families do?
Pursue individual baseline testing proactively through a concussion clinic. For competitive riders, a baseline is a reasonable safety precaution.

Baselines for the sports that don't have them.

Competitive riders face real concussion risk. We offer individual baseline testing regardless of whether a sport mandates it.

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