Thanks to quick thinking, teamwork, and specialized training from Equine Guelph’s Large Animal Emergency Rescue (LAER) program, a 29‑year‑old retired police horse named Dottie was successfully rescued after becoming dangerously unable to rise on a snowy, icy winter morning at Trinity Trotters, Dec 30, 2025.
What began as a routine check‑in by barn manager Tracey Abramovic, quickly turned into a critical situation. Dottie, well‑loved and known for mobility challenges, was found lying in a position that made it impossible for her to stand on the slippery ground.
“The way she was laying down, I knew there was no way she was getting up,” Tracey explained. Initial attempts to help her rise only confirmed those fears. “We tried for about 10 minutes, but she wasn’t even trying.”
Recognizing the risks, to both to Dottie and the handlers, Tracey shifted from instinctive effort to an organized, informed response grounded in LAER training.
“Her stability was terrible, and she was at risk of falling back into us. The safety portion of the course came right to mind,” she recalled. The Trinity Trotters team paused, reassessed, and retrieved the rescue straps they had purchased after completing the LAER program.
With a tractor, proper rigging, and fewer people involved, the process became far safer and more controlled. “It was so much easier—far less stress, emphasized Tracey. “The training made all the difference.”
What began as a chaotic situation with six or seven people on hand became a coordinated four‑person rescue effort once Tracey assumed the role of incident command, another key principle emphasized in the course. Clear communication, a structured plan, and proper equipment allowed the team to lift Dottie safely to her feet.
When Dr. Molson, the attending veterinarian, arrived, she was prepared for the worst. Instead, she found Dottie standing, stable, and not exhausted.
“She was so relieved,” said Tracey. “Seeing Dr. Molson’s reaction to Dottie being up and acting her normal self; it made us feel like we did something really amazing that day.”
The experience highlights how quickly an emergency can happen to any horse. The LAER training hosted at Trinity Trotters in the not-so-distant past proved invaluable for the entire equine community.
When asked what she’d tell other horse owners or barn managers, Tracey didn’t hesitate in her recommendation, “Definitely take the course! You are going to see some things in this course that you will shake your head and think I am never going to use this; and hopefully you never have to. However, there are things you will use and as you’re doing them, you’ll go, oh, I learned this in the course. They’re amazing tools to have.”
Equine Guelph’s LAER program gives horse owners, caregivers, and first responders practical, lifesaving skills to manage emergencies safely and effectively.
Dottie’s story is a powerful real-world example of training in action.
Improve your emergency preparedness! Visit TheHorsePortal.ca to register for the new Large Animal Emergency Rescue (LAER) online offering proudly offered with the Grand River Agricultural Society as a program partner and explore upcoming hands‑on course opportunities.
Spots are filling fast for the May 1st hands‑on LAER Awareness Level Workshop in Port Perry, ON. Hands‑on course registrants will also receive free access to the online LAER offering for one year.
Save the date – LAER Awareness Level Workshop, May 27 in Ancaster, ON – more details coming soon.
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