Description of Placement Procedures for Common Methods Used in Equine Emergency Rescue Using a Simplified Loops System

Abstract

Entrapped, stranded and recumbent equids often require emergency rescue. The success of the rescue is often affected by secondary injuries from struggling of the horse to rise and from injury secondary to attempted rescue by pulling on the head or limbs of the equid. Therefore, having ready access to simplified rescue equipment which can be easily applied would be desirable. The devices currently available for these manipulations are not always readily available at the site of an incident. Here, we describe and illustrate the step-by-step use of a Loops System consisting of 183 cm round slings, which can be positioned on the recumbent horse utilizing commercially available and reasonably priced equipment. The Loops System is basically composed of four round slings placed in such a way that utilizes the skeletal system for support. The procedures are illustrated utilizing a recumbent life-size horse model or mannequin. We suggest that the Loops System kit may allow enhanced ability for responders to provide care to a recumbent horse.

Evaluation of a Simplified Loops System for Emergency Rescue Lifting of the Stranded or Recumbent Horse

“…These situations are termed low-frequency high-risk events and there is substantial risk of significant injury to humans attempting to aid a horse, donkey or mule that is in adverse circumstances. The use of this loops system for other rescue procedures other than vertical lift will be described in a companion paper [15] and will provide detailed step-by-step instructions.…”