Buccomaxillofacial traumas in athletes who practice horseback riding

Sports practice is one of the main causes of oromaxillofacial injuries, with great variability depending on the sport practiced. Epidemiological studies don ́t refer to the incidence, management and complications of injuries caused by animals, taking into account that the kick of a horse has a lethal power capable of producing a ton of force, and generating more than 10,000 Newtons per day. human body, producing fractures of the skull, face and other bones of the human body. The prevalence of these injuries is related to cultural components, varying depending on the country, including from one region to another within the same country. A systematic review of scientific studies related to oral and maxillofacial trauma was carried out in athletes who perform horse riding both in our country and in different parts of the world. Proper understanding of horses' behavioral patterns can help improve safety when handling them, but working with animals will never be completely safe. The most common mechanism by which injuries occur is falling from a horse, however, being kicked was correlated with a more serious injury. In addition to the use of helmets, face protectors such as those used by polo players, and mouth guards, could be options to increase orofacial protection when interacting with these animals. In all the bibliography consulted and analyzed, it is determined that the use of a helmet does not seem to add any protection to the face; Likewise, to avoid further injuries, it is recommended to provide education and information to horse owners on the proper use of protective elements and supervise young riders