How to Treat Horseback Riding Injuries

Horseback riding is wonderful exercise and a great stress release for many people. However, you can suffer an injury while riding that requires immediate medical attention. Most injuries take place when a rider falls from a horse and strains, sprains, bruises or breaks a limb. If you ride, you should know how to treat these injuries.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Ice
• Pressure bandages
• Ibuprofen

1. Treat bruises immediately with ice, and elevate the area above the heart. Don't move the area for a day or two if it's a large bruise. Anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen, can alleviate the pain. If the bruise is severe or covers large areas or causes extreme swelling, contact your care provider.
2. Ice over sprains and strains immediately. Continue for 48 hours to reduce the swelling and pain. Consider wrapping sprains and strains with pressure bandages to keep swelling down, but don't wrap the sprains and strains so much that the circulation is cut off.
3. Never move someone after a fall. The victim may have suffered a neck or spinal injury and moving them may make it worse. Call paramedics if the person is unconscious, has an obviously broken limb or cannot move.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear a helmet and other safety equipment such as gloves when riding a horse to prevent any injuries.
• After an injury, speak to your care provider about using wrist or ankle braces while riding.