Page 6 - May 2017 Thoroughbred Highlight

A group photo of the participants posing with the life size demonstration horse used for training
Equine Guelph’s
Large Animal Emergency Rescue Course
In late 2014 Equine Guelph kicked off a series of emergency response rescue courses which included a lecture by special guest, Dr. Rebecca Gimenez. Dr. Gimenez teaches Emergency Preparedness workshops for horse owners along with Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue (TLAER) courses for rst responders.
The Equine Guelph Emergency Preparedness Workshops are designed to help improve safety during emergency situations for both people and large animals. Dr. Gimenez, who holds a Ph.D. in animal physiology, stressed the fact that large animal rescue is a constant learning process, and “It’s not about a horse in a rescue scenario, it’s about you!”
The latest workshop in the series was held April 25 and 26 at Mohawk Racetrack and was geared towards those working in the horse racing industry. Topics covered included incidents involving starting gates, loose horses and on-track injuries. Best practice responses appropriate to trailer and stall incidents were also covered and re prevention and evacuation procedures were featured in detail.
Sponsored by OMAFRA, Grand River Agricultural Society, and Woodbine Entertainment Group, the courses on re prevention and emergency rescue training by Dr. Rebecca Gimenez included a lecture as well as hands-on training in simulated emergency situations.
Part of the lecture included preparedness equipment checklists, which include such items as re ective vest or jackets, helmets, hand tools rope and webbing. There was also a list of what NOT to do in rescue situations, such as tying ropes around the animal’s head or neck or pulling the entire animal by the tail.
Each participant who completed the two day course received a Fire Prevention and Emergency Training Certi cate from Equine Guelph and Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue (TLAER).
Additional training opportunities at Equine Guelph include a 3-week online short course, Horse Behaviour and Safety (Oct 2 to 22). Dr. Rebecca Gimenez will be returning as guest expert.
For course info please visit the Equine Guelph
Horse Portal
Susan Raymond, Communications & Programs Of cer for Equine Guelph at the University of Guelph coordinated the two day course.
Thoroughbred Highlight - Page 6 - May 2017