Equine Guelph’s Large Animal Emergency Rescue (LAER) training team made waves on the East Coast this summer with fully booked workshops at Whinny Hill Equestrian Centre in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. On August 16 and 17 2025, first responders, veterinarians, and horse owners gathered for a full day of hands-on training designed to prepare them for the unpredictable world of large animal emergencies.

On August 16, the LAER team landed in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, where Whinny Hill Equestrian Centre hosted a full day of hands-on training led by a powerhouse team of instructors:  Victor MacPherson, EBSP Rescue, Dr. Chris Riley, Chair of Clinical Studies at the Ontario Veterinary College and internationally recognized instructor Dr. Rebecca Husted of TLAER Inc.

Husted’s teaching style adapts to the unique challenges of each region.  Nova Scotia’s rural landscape and unpredictable weather offered a distinct learning environment. In a previous visit in 2023, Husted saw firsthand how rural communities manage animal care during disasters—sometimes without power or running water.  There’s a whole different level of preparedness.

Facilitator Heather Myrer from Equestrian Nova Scotia was instrumental in bringing the course to the province. With over 4,000 members, the organization is taking a proactive approach to horse welfare in the face of increasingly extreme weather. They are looking at partnering with firefighting organizations to expand access to large animal rescue training across Nova Scotia. The success of these sessions has already sparked interest in future offerings in Atlantic Canada.  Plans are already underway to partner with firefighting organizations to expand access to rescue training across the province.

Participants learned essential techniques for safely handling and rescuing large animals in crisis. From emergency halter creation to cast horse rolls and trailer extractions, the days were packed with practical scenarios and teamwork drills. The life-sized horse mannequin ‘Rusti’ once again played the role of the patient (and very quiet) equine in distress, helping attendees master forward assists, sideways drags, and vertical lifts.  The one-day workshop proved to be a powerful learning experience for all involved. Participants walked away with new skills, deeper understanding, and a greater sense of preparedness for real-life emergencies. The hands-on nature of the training, combined with expert instruction and realistic scenarios, left a lasting impression. One firefighter summed up the experience as “eye-opening.”

A few days later, the LAER team was welcomed by the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, PEI, for another two successful workshops. Hosted on August 18 and 19, these sessions brought together veterinary professionals and emergency responders from across the island. The PEI workshop further demonstrated the growing demand for specialized large animal rescue training in Atlantic Canada.

Acknowledgements

Equine Guelph extends heartfelt thanks to the many supporters who made these workshops possible:

• ACERA Insurance – sponsor
• Equestrian Nova Scotia
• Whinny Hill Equestrian Centre
• Robert and Alicia Risley, owners of Whinny Hill
• Cody Harnish, for providing the trailer used in training
• Ruth Claus, for logistic planning and providing instructor accommodations
• Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island
• The Ship’s Inn, for providing instructor accommodations
• Tri-County Metal Works – sponsor
• PEI HRIA – sponsor
• McQuaid’s Mobile Storage – sponsor
• Zoetis – sponsor

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Next Stop: Grand River Raceway – Elora, Ontario – October 17, 2025

With Atlantic Canada energized and equipped, the LAER team now returns to Ontario for its next hands-on workshop at Grand River Raceway in Elora, thanks to program partner Grand River Agricultural Society.  Scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025, this full-day course runs from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with lunch and refreshments included.

Participants will once again work with Rusti and specialized rescue equipment in realistic scenarios, including trailer incidents, downed horse and rider situations, and safe lifting techniques. Whether you’re a first responder, veterinarian, animal welfare officer, or horse owner, this course offers critical skills that could make all the difference in a real-life emergency.

Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
👉 Register now

Interested in hosting an event or learning more?

Participants must be a minimum of 18 years of age.  First responders, pre-service, law enforcement, animal welfare officers, veterinarians, vet. technicians, emergency animal response teams, horse owners, livestock producers and associations are all encouraged to attain skills in large animal rescue. If you are interested in helping to build Equine Guelph’s Large Animal Emergency Rescue program or would like to discuss offering this program in your area or to your members, please contact Susan Raymond at Equine Guelph. Courses can be offered on a cost-recovery basis, or through sponsorship, to communities/individuals who would like to expand the reach of this training program.