About 30 firefighters recently participated in a unique five-day training program in San Juan Capistrano, focused on safely rescuing horses and other large animals. Held annually at the Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in partnership with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), the program teaches emergency responders how to calm, approach, and lead horses to prevent injury to both animals and firefighters. The training includes hands-on experience with live horses, reading equine body language, and guiding them through trails, which is a significant improvement over previous practice with plastic dummies.

The program was initiated in 2021 after a challenging horse rescue highlighted the need for specialized training, especially since many firefighters had little prior experience with horses. It serves multiple cities within Orange County that have equestrian communities and has already improved rescue outcomes by fostering better firefighter-veterinarian collaboration. The Shea Center’s gentle horses provide a safe environment for learning, and the program is the only one of its kind in the U.S., with hopes to expand participation and inspire similar training at other equine facilities nationwide.