| While trying to contain a tragic accident | | | | firefighters feel comfortable handling horses |
| site on Long Island last month where a horse | | | | in situations other than barn fires such as |
| trailers became disconnected from its truck, | | | | loose horses or in the event of a trailer |
| rescue workers felt woefully inadequate | | | | accident. |
| trying to handle the injured and dying | | | | |
| horses. Clearly, they had no experience with | | | | The Horse911 project is conducted in |
| the large animals, and some were moved to | | | | partnership with the Connecticut Horse |
| tears when explaining how helpless they felt. | | | | Council, the Career Fire Chief's Association, |
| | | | the Connecticut State Fire Academy and the |
| To remedy such situations and to prepare | | | | Connecticut Animal Response Team. In addition |
| rescue workers for handling horses in | | | | to providing firefighter training, the |
| emergency situations, the Connecticut Horse | | | | Connecticut Horse Council also offers |
| Council initiated the Horse911 project-a | | | | seminars in fire prevention and emergency |
| series of workshops geared toward teaching | | | | response for horse and barn owners. At the |
| Connecticut's firefighters about basic | | | | request of a barn owner, the council can also |
| horse-handling techniques while promoting | | | | arrange for an area fire chief's inspection |
| fire prevention and preparedness among barn | | | | of a local barn to further fire prevention |
| owners. | | | | safety procedures and practices. |
| | | | |
| According to a recent article in | | | | The Connecticut Horse Council began in 1969 |
| Connecticut's Journal Enquirer, more than 70 | | | | to defeat proposed legislation that would |
| firefighters from six Connecticut firehouses | | | | have banned the use of bits and spurs. Since |
| attended a recent three-hour workshop on | | | | then, the group has been involved in all |
| saving horses from barn fires. With the help | | | | areas relevant to horse industries in |
| of accomplished horsepeople, firefighters | | | | Connecticut. The council's motto is "Horsemen |
| learned how to approach, halter and lead | | | | United in Leadership, Service and Education." |
| nervous horses amid the noise and bright | | | | |
| lights emanating from the fire trucks. | | | | Considering the spate of trailer and loose |
| | | | horse accidents across the nation, |
| Facilitators described horse behavior and | | | | Connecticut has the right idea in getting its |
| anatomy so that firefighters would have an | | | | area firefighters more horse savvy. One would |
| understanding about how a horse is affected | | | | hope that more horse associations across the |
| by smoke inhalation or in its reluctance to | | | | nation find example in Connecticut's Horse |
| flee a burning barn. The workshop | | | | Council's initiatives. |
| facilitators hope that the training will help | | | | |