LARGE ANIMAL RESCUE SKULL SESSION
October 7th

QUARTER HORSE DOWN! HOW THE INCIDENT WAS RESOLVED

An apparently fit and healthy quarter horse that appeared in the Reno Rodeo Parade was found the following night collapsed in the back yard of a residence near Lake Tahoe where he was staying for the night. He could not be brought to his feet and a veterinarian was called. The veterinarian was similarly unsuccessful and the horse had to be removed to a veterinary hospital. Michael Connell was contacted to extricate the horse from the back yard and transport him. The LRTC transport trailer was utilized. Upon arrival we found the horse downslope in a back yard that had fence posts, large rocks, tree stumps and other impediments to the horse's rapid removal. The residents had erected some shade to protect the horse from the sun. A veterinarian was on-scene as were a number of bystanders. Skull Session Questions What are your priorities? What are the safety issues? What resources do you need? Describe your action plan. Group Feedback Once again the group provided some very logical approaches to this situation. The responses included: Assemble (organize) human and equipment resources. Concurrently, assess scene and note all potential safety issues. Plan in advance how to lift and/or move the horse. Tranquilize if the horse isn't unconscious. Protect the horse's eyes throughout the operation. Move panels and clear obstructions along path to the trailer. Properly package the horse onto the Rescue Glide and load in the trailer. Monitor vitals (assigned to vet on scene) throughout. Protect bystander-helpers and the vet. (Safety Officer) Assign safe tasks to the bystanders, such as removing impediments in the way along the path to the trailer. COMMUNICATE throughout the event, particularly since the majority of the people present have never been in this kind of situation. (If the vet wasn't on-scene and taking charge of animal care, have someone experienced take vitals and periodically roll the horse from one side to the other until everything is set up for transporting.)   ACTUAL RESCUE ACTIVITIES This was technically a relatively straightforward incident, however as the video shows, the dynamic produced by many people who were inexperienced in these kinds of events proved to be a greater challenge that most definitely had to be managed. Rather than post a couple of pages of discussion, please view the video that was taken of this rescue. Tahoe Vista Horse Rescue, Michael Connell, Technical Rescue Lead. Go to Skull Session Index Return to the Strike Team LRTC Page

This material is intended for the use of the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue (TLAER) Facebook Group. TLAER is a trademark of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue.