Rest easy, Mom.

An equestrian friend passed along this 2007 American Journal of Surgery study (PDF):

[H]orseback riding has been identified as a higher-risk activity than automobile racing, motorcycle riding, football, and skiing, and at least as dangerous as rugby. Equestrian riding also is considered to have the highest mortality of all sports, with an annual death rate of 1 per 1 million population. This reality is not surprising because a horse weighs up to 500 kg, moves at a speed of 65 km/h, elevates the rider 3 meters above the ground, and kicks with a force of nearly 1 ton. A horse also is more unpredictable than either a motorcycle or a racecar.

Don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys, and never buy your kids that pony.

Tagged: reading, sports, travel, vrooooom

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