A horse from the J. F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, Choco, got wedged into a gully last year, requiring rescue.
Orange County Fire Authority crews had to partially dig the horse out and then use a helicopter to lift him to safety. Officials describe it as an “extraordinary and extremely technical horse rescue.”
OCFA Capt. Chris Sotro works with a horse during OC Fire Authority’s Urban Search & Rescue training at The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. First responders received training in horse and large animal rescue. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Firefighter Danielle Shank, with Orange City Fire, greets Choco during OC Fire Authority’s Urban Search & Rescue training at The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Choco was rescued by OCFA firefighters last year after the horse became wedged on its back in a gully. First responders received training in horse and large animal rescue at the center. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Firefighters learn how to harness a horse for rescue during OC Fire Authority’s Urban Search & Rescue training at The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. First responders received training in horse and large animal rescue. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Firefighters work with horses during OC Fire Authority’s Urban Search & Rescue training at The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. First responders received training in horse and large animal rescue. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Instructor Kelli Navarro talks about horse handling with OCFA Capt. Andrew Bergen during OC Fire Authority’s Urban Search & Rescue training at The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. First responders received training in horse and large animal rescue. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Huntington Beach Fire Department Capt. Shawna Parkinson works with a horse during OC Fire Authority’s Urban Search & Rescue training at The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. First responders received training in horse and large animal rescue. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Huntington Beach Fire Department firefighter Joshua Hyink greets a horse during OC Fire Authority’s Urban Search & Rescue training at The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. First responders received training in horse and large animal rescue. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Later, leaders with the San Juan Capistrano riding program learned the firefighters train for large animal rescues, but not always with live animals and they said they were told the firefighters would appreciate more experience with real horses.
Wanting to help them prepare as best as possible for tough rescues in the future, Shea Center leaders are having the OCFA and other local fire departments out this week to meet the real horses and get more comfortable around the large animals. About 90 firefighters are expected to go through the training this week.
The rescuers are learning more about horse anatomy and their behavior as well as some basics on how to handle a horse.
