For the fourth year in a row, The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center and the Orange County Fire Authority collaborated to train firefighters in horse handling and rescue procedures. More than 140 firefighters attended the training to expand their knowledge and build skills through hands-on experience with real horses. The training is crucial due to the increasing number of wildfire incidents and flash floods in the area, requiring first responders to know how to rescue and evacuate horses and large animals safely during emergencies.
The partnership between The Shea Center and the Orange County Fire Authority was born after a terrifying incident involving a horse named Choco in July 2021. The incident led to the development of a specialized training program for live horse and large-animal rescue. The recent helicopter rescue of Deuce, a horse stranded in the hills near The Shea Center, highlighted the importance of this training and the commitment of the OCFA to providing exceptional emergency and support services to the communities they serve.
During the training, firefighters learned how to handle and rescue horses through hands-on experience at the center. The training included four different stations focusing on harnessing, handling, trailer loading, equine psychology, and anatomy lessons with veterinarians. San Juan Capistrano, with California’s highest per capita ratio of horses to people, and other equine communities in Orange County make this training essential for first responders to be prepared for big animal rescues when needed.
