Risks of Being a Jockey

Jockeys participate in one of the most dangerous sports. These men and women have to accept it's usually only a matter of time before they get hurt. When considering the risks involved in being a jockey, the principal concerns are bodily injury of some kind.

  1. Eating Disorders

    • Horse jockeys are expected to maintain very low body weight. It is not uncommon for jockeys to develop eating disorders in their efforts to stay light enough to race horses. Many jockeys get sick because of eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia, and they spend considerable energy at the gym or preparing their diet to make sure they stay well below a healthy body weight, the Seattle Times reports.

    Fractures

    • Broken bones are common in jockeys. Racing on the back of horses running at full speed is just risky, and it only takes a moment to lose focus and fall. Broken bones can be the result of the fall itself or the result of a horses falling on top of the jockey or running him over.

    Concussions and Spinal Injuries

    • Another danger associated with working around horses is the danger of a serious head or spinal injury. If a horse kicks a rider or if a jockey takes a bad fall during a race, the chances of getting a concussion are high, the Center for Disease Control states. This can lead to permanent brain damage and even death.

    Crippling Injuries

    • Injuries may occur where the jockey is permanently injured. Paralysis, brain damage, spinal injuries, and other problems can force a jockey to not only give up racing, but also be permanently dependent on others for care the rest of their life.

    Death

    • The most serious risk that jockeys face is death. Being run over by a horse or otherwise suffering from a major impact can damage the body to such an extent that the jockey may never recover, and there have been more than 120 deaths since 1940, according to a Louisville Courier-Journal report.