How Many People Die Horse Riding Per Year?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 17, 2020

On average, around 100 people per year die in horse riding accidents. Thousands more riders are injured. The majority of horse related accidents and deaths are due to brain injuries caused as the result of not wearing a helmet. In fact, it is estimated that 60 percent of horse riding deaths occur due to brain injury.

Additionally, horse riding is the third most common animal related cause of death, and horse riding is the sport responsible for the most brain related injuries. Seventy thousand emergency room visits each year are attributable to brain injuries. Of these, nearly 20 percent are related to a head injury.