Last month we featured a blog post on how to handle a rider who’s been in a serious fall. In some cases, it will be plainly evident that a rider is injured – they’re knocked unconscious or they have broken a bone. In other cases, though, the injuries might not be quite so apparent.

Concussions are serious injuries that are dangerous if they go unnoticed. Caused by a violent blow to the head or sudden, traumatic motion that affects the head, concussions indicate that your brain has been injured. Serious brain injuries can lead to your brain bleeding, and even death. Concussions should never be ignored.

The Rider's Risk for Concussion

Every rider is at risk for a concussion. A fall from a horse can cause a concussion regardless of whether or not the rider is wearing a helmet. Be aware of the fact that a rider does not have to lose consciousness to withstand a concussion.

Concussions can occur out of the saddle, too. A strong, sudden impact to your head can result in a concussion. Colliding with a doorjamb, your horse’s head, or your trailer door could, if done forcefully enough, cause a concussion.

It’s also important to note that once someone has had a concussion, they are at an increased risk for concussions in the future.

Signs of Concussion

Headaches are frequent signs of concussions. A rider may or may not lose consciousness. If a rider has suffered a concussion, he or she might feel dizzy, nauseous, and tired. The rider may have difficulty speaking or slur words. Vomiting sometimes occurs. Some concussion sufferers find that they feel confused, and that thinking is difficult; they may be slow to speak or respond to situations, and may appear unsteady on their feet.

Longer-lasting effects of concussions can include sound and light sensitivity, migraine headaches, loss of memory, difficulty sleeping, and even personality changes.

Handling a Concussion

While some symptoms of a concussion may be apparent immediately after the injury, sometimes symptoms do not display themselves until hours or days afterwards. If you suspect that a rider may have sustained a concussion, then the rider should go to the ER or be seen by a doctor immediately. Remember, severe concussions can lead to bleeding in the brain, which can be fatal.

A doctor will evaluate the rider and make recommendations for recovery, which typically include limited activity, avoidance of loud noises and bright lights, and follow-up evaluations to monitor the rider’s progress. A rider may be told to stay out of the saddle until they are recovered. Speech therapy can also help improve memory issues that the rider may be having.

Because the onset of symptoms is sometimes delayed, concussions can go unnoticed. If you or another rider suffers a fall or other significant impact to your head, be on the watch for symptoms that could indicate a concussion.

Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eventing

Original Source: http://blog.classic-equine.com/2014/06/recognizing-the-signs-of-concussion-in-a-rider/