Today marks Concussion Awareness Day in America, coinciding with Canada's Concussion Awareness Month of September. We’re also in the midst of Safety Awareness Week, making this the perfect time to reflect on the importance of concussion awareness for equestrians.
Signs and Symptoms
Concussions can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms can vary from person to person, and depending on severity. Riders, coaches (and loved ones!) can turn to the governing bodies for equestrian sport in their area for guidance and resources on recognizing and managing concussions.
Equestrian Canada offers a number of resources on concussion symptoms, along with concussion training for coaches. Also available from EC is the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, which can help to identify a possible concussion.
The US Equestrian Federation has compiled a collection of resources regarding concussion recognition, and concussion training. Their Concussion Recognition document offers insight into identifying the mechanics of an injury that may lead to a concussion, and concussion symptoms.
Make yourself familiar with these resources to better understand and recognize the signs of a possible concussion.
Recovery
It’s no secret that equestrians are resilient, and love what they do! As tough as it may be to sit on the sidelines while recovering, in the case of a concussion (or any injury) it’s incredibly important to only return to the saddle once you’ve been cleared to do so.
Equestrian Canada enforces the Accidents & Return to Sport Rule for all competitors at EC sanctioned events. This protocol is in place to uphold the welfare of equestrian athletes, and contribute to the evolving concussion recommendations for equestrian sport. The EC Return to Sport Form requires equestrians with a concussion injury to follow a step-by-step process of reintroducing activities before being cleared by a physician.
The US Equestrian Federation introduced the Return to Sport Concussion Strategy for equestrians who have suffered a concussion, or apparent concussion, to identify and monitor their symptoms. In order to return to competition, an equestrian with a possible concussion or head injury must submit a completed Return to Competition Medical Release Form including a sign-off from a physician.
If you’ve suffered from a concussion, be sure to follow your doctor’s orders and the appropriate concussion protocol in order to avoid risking a worsened injury and/or prolonged recovery.
Prevention
An important reality is that equestrian sport does come with inherent risks. While wearing a helmet can help reduce the risk of head injuries, it’s important to remember that no helmet or protective equipment can prevent all foreseeable injury. Much like a seatbelt and airbags in a car, a helmet is designed to offer protection but can’t every possible outcome in the event of an accident. Be sure to wear a helmet that fits you correctly, and follow the care and replacement guidelines to help keep your helmet in good condition to provide the best possible protection.