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DARK SIDES OF SPORT: Sasha Bobrova,11c
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DARK SIDE OF HORSEBACK RIDING
Sasha Bobrova,11c
The popularity of equestrian sports can be explained by the desire of people to join a healthy lifestyle, get a boost of energy, and experience new sensations. Horseback riding attracts with a combination of strength and grace, allows you to improve your health and gain the desired physical shape. But for all its beauty, this lesson is fraught with some dangers and has a number of contraindications. So let`s dive into the dark side of that extreme sport.
Equestrian sport is one of the ten most extreme sports according to statistics. Among all sports, equestrian injuries account for relatively few injuries, but most of them are severe injuries. According to the research of Professors W. Heypertz and K. Steinbrück, the main injuries and accidents occur with athletes from 10 to 19 years old. However, experienced riders from 30 to 40 years old are not immune from injuries. Researchers at the Heidelberg University Hospital Sports Clinic report: "In 135 cases, riders were injured in 10th place, but equestrian injuries were the most serious compared to other athletes, with 39% of cases resulting in bone fractures".
Frequent falls are due to constant changes in speed and behavior patterns of the horse. More severe injuries are most often sustained by riders falling from a horse. In terms of height, such a fall does not differ much from a fall from a sports equipment of the same name or a fence and, in general, threatens to get injured only under the weight of its own weight. However, falling from a horse at a frisky gallop in terms of injury is comparable to falling from a height of the 5th floor or falling out of a moving car. The same professors and scientists noted: "In 76% of cases, the cause of injuries is a fall from a horse, in 9% - a fall with a horse or for reasons related to riding. In 15% of cases, injuries are caused by caring for a horse in a stall. 16% accidents occur at the time of the jump, 57% - during gallop both indoors and in the open air - mainly when the horse suddenly stops from fright".
The most dangerous falls are with the horse, when the horse covers a person, since the weight of the animal is on average about 500-600 kg. It is also dangerous to fall on the side with the horse. At the same time, the most injured part of the rider is the legs. Falling with the horse forward can often be observed at a gallop, when the horse stumbles and falls on its front legs or rolls forward. The most vulnerable parts of equestrian athletes are the knee joint, forearm and hand, the ankle and foot, and the collarbone. But the most dangerous injury for a rider is a spine, neck and head injury. For this reason, always being in the saddle - always! - the rider must wear a helmet, and children under 12 years old must wear a protective vest. It is also important to learn how to emergency dismount.
For example, I had this situation. I went on a horse at my grandmother` village, the horse had been set for a long time and even fed from my hands. And then some clever guy thought of blowing up a firecracker nearby. The horse was very frightened by the loud sound and ran at a gallop. I could not resist and fell to the ground. The horse nearly smashed my head with his hoof, but fortunately I was lucky and his hoof just swept over my head and then he ran away. I then found it and forgave it.
The horse is by nature an animal affectionate and sensitive, submissive and diligent. Rather shy than aggressive, in natural conditions, in danger of fleeing. At the same time, physically it is a very strong animal, endowed by nature with powerful means of defense against enemies: teeth and hooves and surprisingly fast reaction. In this regard, we must not forget that with inept handling of the horse or under the influence of external factors, it can behave undesirably and get out of submission. Therefore, it is impossible to completely exclude accidents during horse riding.
The horse has been valued by mankind for several thousand years; it has become not only an indispensable helper for him, but also a loyal friend. To try yourself in equestrian sports or not is a purely individual decision, you just need to remember about medical contraindications and not harm your health. For those who nevertheless choose to communicate with these amazing animals, we can say that in many cases it can be more useful than any psychologist, because a person gets a lot of emotions. Equestrian sport is a pair sport, and your partner will undoubtedly become your faithful friend, and with mutual understanding, endurance and striving for success, you can achieve high results.