Feb. 12--WOODBRIDGE -- Emergency Volunteer Fire Department personnel had the opportunity last week to increase their knowledge of how to work with and rescue horses and livestock.
Dr. Peter Conserva, Connecticut State Animal Response Team veterinarian, spent nearly 21/2 hours discussing such topics as horse and livestock body language, how to pull an animal out of mud, and the subtleties of removing animals from a burning barn.
Conserva leads the Equine Response Unit of CTSART, which offers large-animal rescue training for groups such as fire departments and community emergency response teams.
Conserva has an equine veterinary practice in Suffield.
"In times of emergency, you have to look out for yourself," Conserva said.
Conserva said it is important for emergency responders to learn how to read animals' body language and understand that the animals will be reading their body language.
"Your body movements are language to them," Conserva said to the packed room at fire headquarters.
"Use a quiet, calm voice as you approach them and make sure all sirens are turned off. They don't seem to mind the flashing lights," Conserva said.
Conserva said an angry horse will drop its head, pin its ears back and show teeth.
"If the horse looks aggressive, don't go in face forward, but sideways with your head bent down a little," he said.
He also advised not walking straight up to a horse, but to approach it at its left shoulder.
Conserva said the most common places for horses to get stuck is in swimming pools and mud.
He said the key to getting an animal out of the mud is to be able to break the suction it has created. He advised creating air pockets or using heavy-grade plywood to compress the dense wet ground.
Conserva said the most usual place where barn fires start is upstairs, where hay is stored. He said rescuers who manage to lead an animal out of a burning building should make sure there is a place to tether it, as many will run back into the building.
Another common emergency for horses and livestock is trailer wrecks when they are being transported.
Conserva said in such an instance, it might be a good idea to create a paddock around the trailer into which the animals can walk. Otherwise, they would likely bolt into traffic.
If straps or lifts are used, Conserva cautioned rescuers not to place them around the animal's neck, but around the shoulders and hindquarters.
Ice rescues, he said, can be tricky.
"If the animal is not too far out onto the ice, go out in a flat boat and cut a path to let him walk back in," he said.
Conserva also said not to chase an escaped animal because it becomes a game to them. He said the easiest way to catch an escapee is with another animal around. And when you do catch that big critter, begin to groom it with your hands. The animals are very tactical and enjoy the touching, he said.
A hands-on training is planned for the spring.
Call Bridget Albert at 203-789-5702. Follow her on Twitter @nhrbalbert.
Copyright 2012 - New Haven Register, Conn.
