JUNE 2017 THE RIDER /15


Story by: Jackie Bellamy- Zions Photo Credits: Dr. Susan Raymond


“One of a horse owner’s


greatest fears is seeing their 1,000 lb plus companion in peril,” says Dr. Rebecca Gimenez, of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Inc.


(TLAER).


“Couple that with not hav- ing the ability to do any- thing about it and not knowing who to call for help and the situation can quickly go wrong with panic stricken judgment calls that may result in a disastrous outcome for the equine.” Over thirty firefighters


and first responders de- scended upon the Meaford Fire Department Training Centre in Ontario for inten- sive training on what to do in emergency situations. The three days of rigorous training, presented by Grey Highlands and Meaford Fire Departments and Equine Guelph, took place Apr 28 - 30 2017.


Raising Awareness and Gaining Skills in Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Equine Guelph director,


were more of the topics cov- ered.


Gayle Ecker, delivered a demonstration of great im- pact where equine anatomy and human anatomy was compared using life size skeletons of both. “Just as you would not pull a child out of a well by the arm; you cannot salvage a horse by wrapping a recovery strap to a limb without resulting in catastrophic damage,” cau- tioned Ecker. For example, as easily as a human hand can be degloved, a horses tail can be removed if used to pull a horse out of a mud rescue situation. Limbs and tails are not handles! Graphic and in-depth


examples of What NOT to do were shown in case sce- narios followed by hands on exercises included working with Rusti,


Rescue Inc.:


• Victor MacPherson, Ad- jala-Tosorontio Fire Depart-


ment • Deborah Chute, Adjala- Tosorontio Fire Department • Chris Watson, Adjala-


Tosorontio Fire Department • Mark Whittick,Adjala- Tosorontio Fire Department • Wendy McIsaac-Swack- hamer, Erin Fire and Emer- gency Services • Beverley Sheremeto, Sev- ern Fire & Emergency Serv- ices • Robert Nagle, Central York Fire Services • Penny Lawlis, consultant for Professional Livestock Auditing Inc. • Cathy Furness, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs • Katherine Hoffman, On- tario Ministry of Agricul-


ture, Food and Rural Af- fairs, • Gayle Ecker, Equine Guelph, University of Guelph • Susan, Raymond, Equine Guelph, University of Guelph “Many commendations


were made by the partici- pants to the fire hall and the municipal offices thanking the instructors for coming to our community,” said Chief Scott Granahan, “great things have come from this weekend. Thank you.” A Final Thank you from Equine Guelph goes out to


everyone involved in this important training and the participants dedicated to safe and successful rescues of large animals.


the Rescue


Horse mannequin. Gather- ing the proper equipment, the group practiced proper technique for drags and lifts to extricate a large animal from situations like a mud


Chief Rod Leeson and


Chief Scott Granahan opened with a safety brief- ing,


followed by Dr.


Gimenez raising awareness of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue concepts including how to deal with that panicked owner when arriving upon the scene. Problem solving utilizes the incident command system where cool heads prevail be- cause everyone understands their role. This allows emer- gency responders, the vet- erinarian,


owner


rescue, trench rescue or trailer roll over. “This type of emer-


and


equipment operators, large animal ambulances etc. on the scene to communicate effectively and work to- gether to find the best possi- ble outcome. First


responders re-


ceived important training in normal animal behaviour and what to expect when that


animal becomes


stressed, in order to proceed in a manner that keeps everyone safe from harm. Basic handling included how to approach livestock and where the blind zones and kick zones are located. How to create and secure an emergency halter and then restrain & lead the animal to a safe containment situation


gency rescue training is es- sential for first responders, and anyone involved with transporting livestock, to provide them the expertise they need to focus on the welfare and safety of ani- mals and people in these sorts of emergency situa- tions,” says Ontario Veteri- nary College Dean Jeff Wichtel. “This is just one more example of the Uni- versity of Guelph commit- ment to equine health and welfare, and the proactive training Equine Guelph pro- vides to the equine industry, from horse owners to racing track personnel.” Special thanks to all the


suppliers involved: Trac- tor/Equipment


- Earth


Power Equipment Meaford, livestock hauler - Aldcorn Brothers Company, Chap- man’s Ice Cream, water pro- vided by Ice River Springs and last but not least, Abrams Towing and their recovery operator, John Allen. Thank you to all the


training crew expertly lead by Dr. Gimenez, Technical Large Animal Emergency


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