Horse-riders are being warned to wear more safety gear after 34 people ended up in Bristol’s Major Trauma Centre after riding last year.

The head of trauma services in the Avon area said he frequently saw serious and even fatal wounds caused by horses.

Across the entire Severn Trauma network, which covers Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire and parts of Wiltshire, 68 people suffered equine injuries during 2017.

More than 50 were seriously injured falling from horses and 11 were due to blows from a horse.

Several people died from their injuries, hospital bosses said. Bristol’s Major Trauma Centre in Southmead Hospital alone saw 34 admissions, while some were seen at the city’s children’s hospital. T

he figures were released around National Equestrian Safety Day, which bosses at Southmead Hospital are backing.

The campaign day, on March 24,  was set-up to highlight the injuries that can be sustained from horses – from falls and bites to horses bolting – and to hand out advice about what can be done to reduce the risks.

Severn Trauma Network adult lead Dr Ben Walton said: “As a major trauma service we see serious and even fatal injuries related to horse-riding and we want to use National Equestrian Safety Day as an opportunity to encourage riders to take any precautions they can to minimise their risk of injuries so they can enjoy their hobby safely.

“We encourage people to wear helmets, body protection and long boots to protect themselves when out riding.

“Many of the people who came to us in 2017 with injuries related to horses were wearing protective gear and this meant their injuries were not as significant as they would have been without them.”