MAY 2026 THE RIDER/ 9 INSIDE


LAER Training ..............................9 From the Trainer’s Eye ................10 OXC News ...................................12


Rescued Hearts.............................13 Ontario Equine Expo....................14 Shannon Burwash Memorial Awards.....................................15


ORCHA News .............................16 ORHA News ................................18


Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training Highlights the Critical Role of


Veterinarians in Emergency Response


Equine Guelph delivers focused LAER workshops at the University of Guelph and Woodbine Racetrack


scenes involving injured, trapped, or distressed animals and must be pre- pared to work within an Incident Command System alongside fire serv- ices and other responding agencies, while prioritizing both human safety and animal welfare. The course focused on scene


real-world emergency situations. Vet- erinarians may be called to emergency


future veterinarians for


safety, animal behaviour and anatomy, head control and working zones, emergency haltering, assisted move- ment techniques, trailer rescue scenar- ios,


ence supporting emergency operations in complex and unpredictable condi- tions.


thanks to System Equine for the gen- erous use of a horse trailer, which al- lowed students to practice realistic trailer rescue scenarios commonly en- countered in emergency responses. Large Animal Emergency Rescue LAER Mar 2026


shop took place on March 12, 2026, hosted at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. This workshop was delivered ex-


A second LAER training work- clusively for AGCO-licensed race-


vet student training day, “Large Ani- mal Emergency Rescue training is im- portant for both current and future veterinarians, giving them the knowl- edge and confidence to contribute safely and effectively at an emergency scene. When a large animal is trapped or injured, veterinarians who are pos- sibly first on scene may find them- selves working close with fire services and other responders under stressful conditions. Understanding scene safety, communication, Incident Com- mand System and rescue skills gained from the course ensures that animal welfare can be addressed without compromising human safety.” Equine Guelph extends sincere


ing was led by Riley McGilloway of Halton Hills Fire Department, with veterinary instruction from Dr. Chris Riley, along with assistant instructor Katherine Hoffman. Sean Marak of Centre Wellington Fire Department, participating as a trainee instructor, provided additional support during the course. Marak provided his view on the


The University of Guelph train-


sponse decision-making. Through hands-on demonstrations and scenar- ios, students gained practical experi-


considerations including triage and re- and veterinary-specific


awareness-level training, as part of a fourth-year elective on public service veterinary medicine, designed to pre- pare


veterinary students at the University of Guelph participated in a LAER


Photo Caption: Two specialized hands-on training workshops from Equine Guelph provided veterinarians with skills to respond to scenarios when large animals are involved in emergencies. Photo Credit: Susan Raymond


track veterinarians, recognizing the specialized risks and responsibilities associated with emergency response in racing environments. The Woodbine training was led by Victor MacPherson as Lead Trainer, with veterinary instruction once again provided by Dr. Chris Riley. Assistant trainers included Katherine Hoffman and Troy Moffatt, with Moffatt bring- ing dual expertise as both an AGCO Inspector and a Southwest Oxford (SWOX) Fire Fighter and Fire Instruc- tor.


with on-site personnel and emergency services. “This introduction to large ani-


play in emergency preparedness, rapid assessment, and coordinated response


ation to Woodbine Racetrack, noting that both the venue and staff provided excellent support for the training. Thanks are also extended to Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS), a longstanding program partner whose support continues to strengthen large animal emergency preparedness initia- tives like this one. Together, these March work-


shops demonstrate how Equine Guelph’s Large Animal Emergency Rescue program delivers targeted training to specific audiences while re- maining rooted in a cooperative ap- proach to emergency response.


mal rescue was eye opening. It helped me visualize the dynamics of the process. By following an organized plan it is possible to convert panic into productive action,” said Judith Pottins, Veterinarian and horse owner from North York. “Having a team, a plan and some fairly simple tools one can reduce losses significantly and obtain a positive outcome. Thank you.” Equine Guelph extends appreci-


Scenario-based exercises highlighted the vital role racetrack veterinarians


addressed scenarios such as emergen- cies involving loading a horse into an ambulance with specialized equip- ment and response challenges during active


racing


Dr. Susan Raymond, Program Coordi- nator for the Large Animal Emergency Rescue program at Equine Guelph. The racetrack-focused training


Both courses were facilitated by operations.


ing or hosting a workshop, please con- tact: Susan Raymond slraymon@uoguelph.ca Program Coordinator, Large Animal Emergency Rescue, Equine Guelph Story by: Jackie Bellamy-Zions, Equine Guelph


Story by: Jackie Bellamy-Zions, Equine Guelph


rescue program prioritizes the welfare and well-being of animals involved in incidents, while emphasizing the safety of those involved in rescue op- erations,” said Dr. Susan Raymond, facilitator of the Large Animal Emer- gency Rescue program at Equine Guelph. “We are over 10 years offer- ing this important specialized training and we are committed to enhancing large animal rescue capabilities through education and practical train- ing. We are fortunate to have an in- credibly dedicated team.” For inquiries about LAER train-


Hands-on course registrants will also receive free access to the new Large Animal Emergency Rescue (LAER) online offering proudly offered with the Grand River Agricultural Society as a program partner. “Our large animal emergency


and scenario-based exercises for re- sponding to large animal emergencies.


cover key safety principles, assisted movement techniques, rescue tools,


LAER Awareness Level Workshop, May 27 in Ancaster, ON. These hands-on workshops will


sponse to large animal emergencies. Registration available soon:


ity and will offer hands-on, sce- nario-based training emphasizing safety, teamwork, and effective re-


LAER Awareness-Level Workshop will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Restoration Ranch in Port Perry. The workshop is nearing capac-


vide Large Animal Emergency Rescue training opportunities for first respon- ders, veterinarians, and animal profes- sionals across Ontario. An upcoming


More LAER Training Ahead Equine Guelph continues to pro-


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Guelph / Toronto, ON — March 2026 — Equine Guelph continues to pro- vide important Large Animal Emer- gency Rescue (LAER) training for first responders, veterinarians, and an- imal professionals across Ontario. Two targeted training workshops held in March underscored the essential role veterinarians play as part of the large animal emergency response team, working alongside fire services and other agencies in complex emer- gency situations. On March 6, 2026, fourth-year


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