Horse Rescue Training for Firefighters

We’ve all seen the headlines and read the stories about a horse or pony or other equine that finds itself in a dangerous situation and needs rescuing. The aptly named Lucky, a 20-year-old grey mare from California who fell into a sinkhole, is one example that comes to mind. Evacuating horses quickly and safely during a barn fire is another situation.

In order to safely help a trapped or injured horse, a group of firefighters got a few lessons in horsemanship from a trainer with Equine Guelph at the WETRA riding facilities in Essex, Ontario. A short video of the Large Animal Rescue Workshop was posted on CBC and showed the firefighters learning techniques including leading the horses around an indoor arena. Although some of the first responders initially looked a tad nervous handling the horses, the training will prove invaluable during a real emergency.

During one exercise, a loud bang akin to fireworks or a gunshot is heard and a few of the horses spook on their lead, forcing the firefighters to hang on and bring the horse back under control calmly.

Scroll to continue with content

Susan Raymond, a trainer with Equine Guelph, tells the CBC that they focus on “training first responders how to deal with an animal, looking at their welfare and safety of those involved.”

In another segment, a large model horse is used as a stand-in for the real thing as a team of firefighters pull the “animal” along the ground using large straps that are placed in front of its hind legs and behind its front legs. This exercise trained the rescue team on how to move a prone horse, perhaps if the equine had fallen or was stuck in mud.

A firefighter told the CBC reporter about his experience during a barn fire involving dairy cattle that had been difficult. “We found it very challenging to get the animals out of the barn when they’re in high-stress situations, we’re learning techniques today on how to deal with that and get the animals out of danger.”

One fire captain at the event who had been at the same dairy farm fire told the CBC that the training he was getting from Equine Guelph would have come in handy. “We’re learning how [horses and cattle] are herding animals and like to stay in groups; knowing that might have helped us move more animals at once.”

He went on to explain how in that situation the firefighters attempted to pull the individual animals out and acknowledged that livestock the size of horses and cattle aren’t easily swayed by a tug on a rope when they are frightened.

Horses like Lucky and Big George and their human owners are incredibly grateful for the care and training that first responders put into their work to help animals in need.

More information on Equine Guelph’s Large Animal Rescue Workshops can be found here.