Information for horse owners

Imagine if this was your horse

What would you do?

If your gut instinct is to jump in and help, please don’t!

Dial 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.

Many services now have Animal Rescue Teams trained in rescue techniques, who have the support of equine vets from the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) many of whom are also trained in animal rescue.

This hasn’t always been the case, but since 2007, BEVA, the British Horse Society, RSCPA and the emergency services, led by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have been working hard to make horse rescues safer. Historically, no one attending emergencies involving horses received formal training; they simply helped out as best they could, often putting themselves in extreme danger.

Thankfully that’s changing, and firefighters and vets are better trained and equipped than ever before to rescue horses and other large animals swiftly and safely.

You might think this could never happen to you, but it only takes a broken fence you’ve been meaning to repair, and a bad storm, or some other frightening stimulus and your horse could break out of its field and into strange and dangerous territory. Horsebox accidents are also all-too familiar to the emergency services, with horses falling through poorly maintained floors, or becoming spooked and injuring themselves.

Wouldn't you want the best care...

Your vet could be called to a rescue at any time of the day or night! These traumatic and stressful rescues often require quick thinking, and specialist care, to ensure a quick rescue and the best outcome. BEVA have trained over 100 vets in the country so far in Rescue and Emergency Medicine, and the essential knowledge they have gained has made a real difference to the outcome of the rescue!

Ask your vet to sign up!

Please encourage your vet to sign up to the Register of Veterinary Practices to be called in an Emergency, and consider attending the "Rescue and Emergency Medicine Course" run by BEVA, to ensure that they are prepared and confident about handling that 3am call to a horse in trouble!

Ask them to find out more at www.saferhorserescues.com