Equine vets and emergency responders need this training because any horse trapped in mud, a sinkhole, septic tank, overturned float or any other similar predicament is incredibly dangerous. Because horses are prey animals, their first instinct when threatened or trapped is to run away but if they can’t flee they will fight - and they fight hard.

If owners are unable to help the horse to self-rescue, they should dial 000 for help. It may seem contradictory to tell them to call 000 but, whether they know it or not, emergency services have equipment that can be adapted to rescue large animals and they work within a tightly-structured system that ensures the safety of all involved.

“Bruce” is stabled at Hawkesbury SES and is available to any rescue organisation, club or group of horse owners or trainers wanting to use his Large Animal Emergency Rescue training skills. Apart from regular gigs training equine vets, his next big outing is in September when he will help demonstrate emergency rescue techniques during Large Animal Emergency Rescue training courses conducted by Dr Rebecca Gimenez from www.tlaer.org in the US and MaryAnne Leighton of www.equineER.com. “Bruce” will assist at two-day awareness courses for horse owners, equine and large animal vets, SES volunteers and mounted rescue units, police, Fire and Rescue and RSPCA Inspectors, and he will help Rebecca and MaryAnne present Large Animal Rescue techniques at the RSPCA NSW annual conference. He will also be the star attraction at a Large Animal Emergency Rescue trainers’ workshop at Hawkesbury SES in NSW. All attendees on all courses will receive a copy of the book, Equine Emergency Rescue - a horse owner’s guide to Large Animal Rescue, the training manual for all Large Animal Emergency Rescue training courses in Australia and New Zealand.

Confirmed training dates and contacts are:10 - 11 September Open to all:

Mackay, Queensland. Contact Selina Neil sneill@rspcaqld.org.au15 - 16 September RSPCA, Brisbane, Queensland.

Contact Selina Neil sneill@rspcaqld.org.au17 - 18 September Open to all:

Queensland Horse Council, Gatton, Queensland. Contact Debbie Dekker president@qldhorsecouncil.com

21 - 22 September RSPCA NSW conference24 - 25 September Large Animal Emergency Rescue trainers'

workshop Hawkesbury, NSW30 September - 1 October open to all:

Horse SA, University of Adelaide, South Australia. Contact Julie Fiedler horsesa@horsesa.asn.au

A 15.2hh, 200-kilo rubber horse called Bruce has arrived in Australia to help train equine vets, emergency responders and RSPCA Inspectors to safely rescue horses trapped in life-threatening situations. Unfortunately, these experts are not routinely trained in the

specialised techniques used to rescue horses and unwittingly can put their own lives and the horses at risk by using dangerous practises and harmful procedures. Training Large Animal Emergency Rescue techniques with a live horse can also be fraught with danger

because of the reactive nature of the horse, particularly when it is being handled by trainees who are not used to horses and are unaware of how they react to humans' body

language. “Bruce” removes the risk. He allows trainees to learn at their own pace and doesn't react when they make mistakes or inadvertently “hurt” him.

EQUINE NEWS PAGE 5

Emergency Rescue Training to use life-size

horse mannequin.

Emergency Rescue Training to use life-size

horse mannequin.

“Meet Bruce”“Meet Bruce”

“Bruce” the training mannequin was purchased from ResQuip in the UK by Equine Veterinarians Australia through sponsorship from Troy and Provet VMS. He arrived in Australia in May, in time to appear at EVA’s first ever Large Animal Emergency Rescue workshop at the Australian Veterinarians’ Association annual conference in Adelaide. In November, “Bruce” will assist Anthony Hatch of Hawkesbury SES and MaryAnne Leighton to demonstrate Large Animal Emergency Rescue techniques at Equitana Sydney. Interested horse owners will be able to meet and interact with “Bruce” on stand 107 in the Southee Pavilion where they will also be able to discuss upcoming training courses and purchase copies of the book, Equine Emergency Rescue.

Breaking News: A second training mannequin is on his way to Australia and more rescue equipment is ordered! Sponsorship from MaryAnne Leighton of www.equineER.com and Hawkesbury SES is being used to purchase “Bob”, the world’s first floating mannequin. This year’s devastating floods highlighted the need for SES rescue boat crews to be trained how to safely rescue horses from floodwater, rivers and creeks and this will be “Bob's” full-time job. While he looks identical to “Bruce”, he has buoyancy chambers that enable him to float just like a real horse and his lower legs are weighted to keep him upright in the water. While horses can swim they are not really designed for it. They tire very quickly and, while their bodies are reasonably buoyant, their heads are heavy, making it difficult for them to keep their nostrils above the surface to breathe.

Amongst other aquatic rescue techniques, “Bob” will teach rescuers the only safe way to tow a horse behind a boat which is backwards. “Bob” will be in Australia in time to share duty with “Bruce” at the September training events.Sandra Patterson of www.neularapark.webs.com and Joanne Anderson of Hawkesbury are raising money to purchase additional specialised horse rescue equipment including a Becker Sling and a closed-in horse float in which to transport “Bruce”, “Bob” and the equipment.

Horse owners Australia-wide join with Hawkesbury SES to thank all sponsors for their generosity. These training mannequins and the equipment will save lives - both human and equine.Further information about large animal emergency rescue and training courses can found on www.equineER.com

Bruce demonstrates the windows become holes in the floor in an overturned truck.

“This book could save your horse's life!”

Equine Emergency Rescue is written for you, the horse owner, because if emergency

responders who attend an incident involving your horse do not understand horses or are

unfamiliar with Large Animal Rescue techniques, you can show them step-by-step

instructions and reassure them that using these steps will increase their own safety and that of your horse.This book is a guide to the methods and tools necessary to successfully extricate a horse or other large animal from entrapment using low-tech, low-risk options

that are easier, quicker and safer than extreme techniques using helicopters, cranes or 4WD

vehicles.

PAGE 6 EQUINE NEWS

One of the most common and dangerous rescues is of a horse trapped in mud.This student works with Bruce’s cousin in the US to learn how to safely

apply rescue straps.