Training Rescue Services and Supporting Student Vets

Refresher training for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Services

At the start of the month we ran our first Horse Handling and Behaviour refresher training course to the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. This introduction to Horse Handling and Behaviour provides Fire and Rescue service personnel with the crucial knowledge and practical skills they need to deal with emergency incidents involving horses.

Fire and Rescue personnel frequently encounter distressed and injured animals of all types as part of their duties and it is recognised that the hazards faced in large animal rescue requires specialised training. This course provides the Fire and Rescue service with the know-how to reduce the anxiety and stress levels of horses involved in an incident by providing them an awareness of how horses react during dynamic and frightening situations.

The course has a strong focus on the horse’s natural instincts and behaviour and how to reduce the animal’s anxiety and keep them calm in what can be frightening situations. An anxious horse may be a frightened horse and any escalation in their fear level could compromise their welfare further.  This essential insight into horse behaviour helps Fire and Rescue officers make effective and safe operational decisions at incidents involving horses.

The course and the learning outcomes form part of the National Fire and Rescue Service Animal Rescue Level 2 Responder Course and were developed by The Horse Trust in conjunction with the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA).

The refresher course is delivered in two parts starting with 3.5 hours in the classroom re-capping the essential elements of horse behaviour and handling. In the second session, the officers apply the skills practically in realistic operational scenarios involving evacuating horses. On this occasion the Oxfordshire team, who are based at Kidlington used The Horse Trust’s full-size mannequin to practice their rescue techniques.  This session was led by crew members Gary Crone and Chris Aust who are Animal Rescue Level 3 instructors.

This course was well received by the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service team who commented;

“A very beneficial course for both animal and rescue teams and first responding fire crews”

“An excellent course delivered by very knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff”

“Five star training, a very good course”

Supporting the next generation of veterinary surgeons

The Trust is proud to be sponsoring the Student Equine Veterinary Association (SEVA) Symposium on 26th to 28th January 2018 at the University of Liverpool.

The Symposium brings together students from each of the 9 veterinary schools across England, Scotland and Ireland, and is a great way to support the development of our equine vets of the future.

The programme encompasses lectures and practical sessions led by specialists in a range of subjects.

Our Head of Field Skills, Carolyn Madgwick will be talking about animal welfare and horse identification legislation affecting veterinary surgeons.