Coping with fractures
Wrist, rib and collarbone fractures are common following falls from horses. A person is likely to have a fracture if the area is tender, swelling or deformed in any way.
“If an arm fracture is suspected, support the affected arm with a sling — you could use a scarf or horse bandage to create one — or improvise to make a splint to help keep the limb still, as movement of the bones will cause pain,” says James. “It’s also important to remove any rings from the affected hand as fingers may swell up.
“Occasionally bones are badly broken and there may be bone sticking out, and the injured person may complain of numbness or tingling, which could indicate serious injury.
“It could also mean that the blood supply to that limb is being compromised, so they must be taken to hospital immediately. Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink as they may need surgery to fix the bone.” Preventing infection is really important too. “Apply a sterile dressing over the top of the exposed bone to shield it from contamination and then immobilise it with a simple triangular bandage, or use a belt round your neck and arm,” explains James. “Find a position that is comfortable and try and keep it still.”
Broken ribs are really painful and need to be checked over at hospital.
“The risk is that ribs can puncture the lining protecting your lungs and you can end up with air in the lung cavity,” says James. “If someone has banged their chest, they should be X-rayed to check the ribs.”