The other alarming statistic in these numbers is the fact that originally we had only 2 tractor related fatalities. With the additional numbers, the final statistic on tractor related fatalities is 6. These numbers assist in planning programs that will meet the needs of the farmers in our state. However, working with livestock can have disadvantages as well. Livestock are a common cause of injuries among rural children.
Children are at particular risk because of their small size and lack of strength and mobility.
Children generally lack experience in handling animals and may not always recognize danger signals in time to avoid injury. Just about any type of livestock can cause injuries. Because of their size and recreational use, horses tend to cause more injuries and fatalities than other farm animals. In general, adult male animals are larger and more aggressive than females, though female animals can pose a danger when they are nursing their young. Most animals are color-blind and generally have poor depth perception, which means they can be scared or spooked very easily by shadows and quick movements.