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Uncommon Rescue
We were called out on a service call, a horse "stuck in a ditch". We arrived on scene and find the horse has fallen through and into a 500 gallon septic tank. Now I personally have never let my horses roam my yard, but the owners of this filly, (that's a young female horse for you city folk) let her do exactly that.
With assistance from the SPCA, veterinarian, and good sedation, we were able to extract the horse in just over an hour, and except for a few minor abrasions was uninjured.
This was only the third time I had ever been involved in an incident such as this. Definitely a situation where proper training and equipment mean the difference between getting the job done and getting the job done where nobody gets hurt including the animal. You may not use the training very often, but you are glad you have it when the time comes.
With assistance from the SPCA, veterinarian, and good sedation, we were able to extract the horse in just over an hour, and except for a few minor abrasions was uninjured.
This was only the third time I had ever been involved in an incident such as this. Definitely a situation where proper training and equipment mean the difference between getting the job done and getting the job done where nobody gets hurt including the animal. You may not use the training very often, but you are glad you have it when the time comes.
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Comment by Oldman on August 18, 2009 at 9:48am
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As I pointed out, the straps (and rope) were done by the owner prior to our arrival. Once we arrived on scene, we had the owners stop what they were trying to do, and secure 3 dogs which were running around barking. It eventually took a Sheriff's Deputy to keep the concerned owner back. Training is everything when confronted with a situation like this.
And there was NO WAY I was sticking my head under that horse. :(
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Comment by firefish on August 18, 2009 at 8:43am
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More than technical rescue, you need large animal training. Pleas note the rope around the horses neck as a way to "assist" the animal out is a TERRIBLE!!!!! idea. Large animals have a balance point right behind or at their shoulders and pulling on their heads or necks prevents them from getting their balance. A well meaning blunder like this can kill the animal. Interested in LART? Try classes taught by Prof./Vet (& Cert. Fire Instr.) Giminez (sp?) of Clemson University. Absolutely terrific and both animal and tech savvy. There are special straps for lifting horses, but he can show you how to 'manufacture' your own and how to get round the critter w/o putting your head underneath (where you don't want to be - in your case or any other). Also rather than a crane, try a heavy duty forklift.
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Basically we fashioned a 3 point harness front shoulders and around her flanks with webbing, and used a front end loader to lift her out. The hard part was getting the webbing placed properly. I am by no means an expert, and I learned a couple of tricks from the SPCA. The straps seen in the photo were from the owner trying to get her out himself. The sedation was the best part. She didn't start thrashing around during the lift.
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Comment by Paul Montpetit on August 12, 2009 at 5:33pm
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Gin pole and pulleys...?? Or were you able to get help via tower or crane....?? Paul
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Sounds like a "crappy" call......LOl....I would assume that you are a TRT member...(Technical Rescue team for you none knot tyers) LOL....Good job....creativity at its best....Stay safe...Paul
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