At the time of an emergency, are you an asset to the situation or a liability to your horse and those around you?

A simple question that most of us would quickly answer, "I'm an asset, of course!"

Now, stop and think about it. Have you ever been in a situation where you later said, "We were lucky not to have anyone be injured or worse!"?

Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue (TLAER) training courses are designed to teach handling and rescue techniques in a safe and controlled environment. This hands-on training delivers some of the skills, knowledge and confidence to enhance the chances of a positive outcome in a dangerous situation involving horses and other large animals.

While the details and scope of this topic cannot be covered in a short introductory article, I would challenge first responders, veterinarians, and all equestrians to plan to receive certified training. By meeting with your local police, fire and EMT departments, you may be able to create opportunities for you and the local emergency personnel to receive training together.

You may never need to utilize the skills and training you receive, but I would argue that someone you know will, as the equine community continues to grow.

Some of the principles that are inherent to TLAER are:

1. Safety, safety, safety. Never allow yourself, the owner, or a rescuer to be placed into a position of risk. Don't become the next victim in need of rescue. Not only will the person(s) risk injury, they will delay or abort the eventual rescue of the horse.

2. Always use the fastest, least risky and lowest technological approach to achieve a rescue. That is, don't use a helicopter when a halter and lead rope will work.

3. Don't use the head or legs as handles for moving an entrapped animal. The forces applied to those parts many save the body, but you could end up losing the animal due to fractures, soft tissue injuries, or inflammation of the spinal cord.

4. Continue to receive additional training in TLAER and Incident Command System (ICS). Today's equine society is more and more likely to call 911 in times of crisis. The ability to communicate, integrate, and understand how first responders organize is of great value to yourself, the situation, and the horse in distress. You may be the only individual present with appropriate TLAER training, but without the means to communicate and integrate, you may be more of a liability than an asset.

5. Make sure to become acquainted with your local first responders. During a time of crisis they will not have or take the time to understand the skills that you or another TLAER-trained individual maybe able to bring to the problem.

Why include TLAER training in your future plans?

-- Increase the chances of a successful outcome for both horses and people on the scene.

-- Allows for you to safely help yourself, help others, and help horses during a time-sensitive crisis.

-- Allows you to assess the risks and choose the safest, fastest way to aid an injured or entrapped animal.

-- Provides methods of safely transporting injured horses with less risk of additional injury to the animal.

-- Decreases the potential risks to people, animals and equipment if proper techniques are utilized.

Given the right training, equipment, and personnel we can increase the welfare of our horses in need.