Members of the Orange County Fire Authority’s Urban Search & Rescue Team recently participated in specialized training at the Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano, focusing on horse rescue operations. This unique program, started in 2021 by Battalion Chief Danny Goodwin after a challenging horse rescue, teaches firefighters how to safely approach, handle, and guide large animals like horses, which can weigh over a ton. The training includes reading equine body language and building trust with the animals, preparing firefighters to better manage rescues during emergencies such as wildfires in areas with significant equine populations.

The program is considered one-of-a-kind in the U.S. and has proven effective in improving real-life equine rescues, according to veterinary experts involved. Shea Center’s leadership encourages other facilities to adopt similar training to enhance first responders’ skills with large animals. This initiative not only improves rescue outcomes but also fosters stronger collaboration between firefighters and veterinarians, ultimately enhancing emergency response capabilities in communities with large animal populations.