The Santa Barbara County Humane Society and County Fire Department practiced horse trailer rescues Saturday, November 12, 2011.
Participants gathered at Station 30 in Solvang with Humane Society trainers to learn how to safely get a horse out of a trailer in the event of a roll-over accident using an old trailer and special ropes and harnesses with a fiber-glass dummy horse for the drill.
According to Battalion Chief Woody Enos rescuing a thousand pound horse that's frightened and kicking from inside a trailer can be very challenging since both the horse and the trailer need to be stabilized before a horse can be rescued. The Humane Society says it needs old horse trailer donations to continue training exercises like the one today.
In addition to practicing horse trailer rescues, the Society has information on equine slings have been successfully used to rescue horses in various situations. They are useful tools and are often the focus of media attention. It is important to understand that slings should be used only as a last resort when a ground rescue is not possible.
Use of rescue slings puts rescuers, helicopter pilots, their crew, and the animal at risk.
Professionally designed harnesses were developed for rescue operations where extensive lifting is required. Individuals must be trained to use the slings and the rescue group must have an agreement with a helicopter company for necessary air support.
At least four trained personnel are required to use the sling. Most groups that have horse slings will provide their own trained personnel to assist during a rescue. Successful rescue operations utilizing a sling require the cooperation of veterinary personnel, the air support team, and personnel trained in the sling operation.
Equipment used in ground rescues includes the Collins Rescue Mat, the rescue strap, hobbles, and a rescue surcingle (a strap that goes around the horse's body).
A Collins Large Animal Rescue strap can be used to assist a horse up an embankment or to move a horse for a short distance to a rescue mat. Once on the rescue mat the horse can be dragged (on the mat) for a considerable distance.
The rescue strap is especially useful when dealing with a recumbant horse in a confined space. A rescue surcingle can also be used to assist a horse up a hill. Lack of training on proper use of appropriate equipment or the use of equipment not designed for these purposes (eg. cargo nets) can put personal and animal lives at great risk.
Preparation and training are essential for successful use of rescue slings. Training courses and workshops exist for people interested in learning how to use slings. The courses may also include information on organizing interested individuals into a group.