Show jumping is a competitive event in which horse and rider must jump a course of fences as fast and as high as possible. It is the only equestrian event in which both horse and rider compete as team, meaning that both must work together to achieve the goal of finishing first. In show jumping, each course has multiple fences that the rider and horse must negotiate in a given sequence to finish the course successfully. This means that if either the rider or the horse misjudges the jump, they will likely fail the course and go home with a disappointing performance. Fortunately, show jumping is a fairly low-risk event when it comes to injuries. The most common injuries in show jumping are sprains and strains in the legs and back; strained tendons; and stress fractures in the pastern. In addition, the lower-back, ankle, and groin are also common areas of injury in show jumping.
The legs and back are the most common locations for injuries in show jumping. In particular, sprains and strains in the legs and back are the most common injuries. Sprains occur when a ligament in a joint suddenly tears, resulting in the joint moving out of place. Strains occur when a muscle or tendon in a joint is overstretched or over-tense and tears. If the sprain or strain is mild, it can often be treated at home with ice and rest. However, if it is severe, it may require surgery. Strains and sprains to the lower back can often be treated at home with ice and rest, but they may require physical therapy. Stress fractures in the pastern are also a common injury in show jumping.
Strain injuries are usually very painful, as the tendon continues to contract even though the muscle above it has been stretched too far. Strains to the tendons in the legs and feet are particularly common in show jumping. The tendons that run along the inside of the legs are called the digital extensors. These tendons are often strained when the horse touches their foot while it’s in the stirrups for a jump. Tendon strains can often be treated at home with rest and ice, but they may also require surgery.The most common injury to the tendons in the foot is called a plantar plate tear. This injury often occurs when a horse steps in a hole during a jump and puts a lot of weight on just one of its feet.
A stress fracture is a break in the bone that is caused by overuse and is often associated with jumping. The pastern is the joint where the front leg meets the hoof. The pastern can be a very painful place to have a stress fracture. This injury typically occurs in the third or fourth week of training when the horse is trying to jump higher and higher. A stress fracture in the pastern is very rare for a show jumper, but it can be very painful and take a long time to heal.
Other injuries that are less common in show jumping include fractures, lacerations, and soft tissue damage. Fractures are often associated with falls on the course or when the horse falls over while being led. A lacerated hoof can often be treated at home, but it can also be very serious. In addition, soft tissue damage can occur anywhere on the horse, but the most common location is the back.
Show jumping is a very physical sport, and injuries are very common. However, the most common injuries are sprains and strains in the legs and back, and strained tendons. Stress fractures in the pastern are also very common. Fortunately, most injuries are very treatable.