BaselinesSport-specific baselines
Baseline Testing for Equestrian Athletes
One of the highest concussion rates per hour of any sport — with almost no organized baseline infrastructure.
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.
When to re-baseline
Plan every year before the first competition for athletes under 18, and every two years for adults in equestrian. Always capture a new baseline after medical clearance from a concussion, after invalid or low-effort test results, when ADHD or other cognition-affecting medications change, or after 12+ months away from the sport.
See the sports baseline & re-baseline directory, how often to re-baseline, and the complete by-sport guide. For jockeys and eventing at elite levels, also review rodeo and high-fall guidance — horse racing carries extreme TBI risk.