An investigation into the prevalence of groin and pelvis area pain in male equestrian riders

Abstract

Horse riding is recognized as one of the most hazardous sports, surpassing skiing, motor racing, and rugby in injury risk. While acute injuries such as fractures, contusions, and concussions often result from falls, chronic issues like back pain are also prevalent. Despite substantial research focusing on female riders, limited attention has been given to pain and injury in male equestrian athletes. This study investigates the prevalence of pain in the groin, pelvis, and buttock areas among male horse riders and evaluates the impact of saddle design and other factors on these discomforts. A predominantly quantitative approach was employed, utilizing a survey of 384 over 18 years old, male riders who completed a questionnaire comprising 20 open and closed questions. Fifty-seven percent of participants reported to have experienced pain or injury in the groin, penis, or pelvic area during riding. The findings reveal a prevalence of testicular pain (36.3%) and nerve-related pain/issues (20.5%), with fewer reports of prostate pain/issues (5.3%). Notably, 43% of riders reported needing to temporarily stop riding due to pain. Saddle design emerged as a critical factor influencing pain risk; riders using deep-seat saddles were 1.6 times more likely to experience pain than those using flat-seat saddles across disciplines (OR: 1.56 95% CI: 1.12–2.17). For dressage, deep-seat saddles were associated with significantly higher pain prevalence, while for jumping, deep-seat saddles presented a 38.9% pain probability compared with 31.6% for flat-seat saddles (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 0.98–1.91). The study further revealed that rider skill level had no significant correlation with pain frequency (P = 0.555). Factors exacerbating pain included underwear choice (43.7%) and the sitting trot (32.5%). These findings highlight the need for improved riding-specific underwear, development of ergonomic saddle designs, and targeted interventions to address male-specific health concerns in equestrian sports. Future research should prioritize male rider health and comfort to mitigate pain and improve performance.