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