One Central Kentucky event seeks to make those calls less panic-inducing, for horses and humans alike.

Every year the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) holds a large animal rescue training course that spans over three days at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. The course is designed to educate emergency responders, veterinary professionals, animal control officers, horse industry professionals and other interested parties on the rescue and emergency protocol for horses. 

“Dr. Rocky Mason [KHC board member] basically is the proponent behind it,” said Sarah Coleman, executive director of the KHC. “He does a majority of the fundraising for it. He located the teachers who bring their helpers and their trailer and all their equipment. He had already known of them so he knew with all of the horses and other large animals that we have here in Kentucky, there was this really strong need for that education and training.”

The large animal rescue training course is taught by Tori and Justin Mcleod, owners of 4Hooves Large Animal Services (4HLAS) in Biscoe, N.C. The 4HLAS team offers a wide variety of services outside of large animal rescue training courses, including large animal emergency response, equine transport, emergency and specialized equine transport, equestrian event emergency standby, end of life services, large animal rescue equipment sales, and assistance with equine cruelty investigations. Some of these services are only offered to certain locations based on distance from 4HLAS, but the Mcleods are eager to help in any way they possibly can, no matter what the location is. 

“It depends on the nature of the emergency, our response time, and all of the limiting factors,” Tori Mcleoud explained. “More often than not, we have resources that we have trained over the years that we'll call who are closer to that area to see if they can respond to help. If that is not an option we can also help them on the phone through facetime or texting with pictures back and forth. We've done several rescues just helping out over the phone.”

The large animal rescue training course at the Kentucky Horse Park consists of three days of classroom instruction as well as hands on training for a wide variety of scenarios and topics. These include animal behavior, handling and restraint, containment, motor vehicle accidents and overturned trailers, entrapments, barn fires and wildfires, unstable ground incidents, natural disaster preparation and response, hazardous materials decontamination, and more. The training course is open for auditing to anyone who is interested in learning more about large animal rescue techniques, but only around 40 spots are available for hands-on training participation.

A big part of what these attendees take away from the training course can go far beyond the in-class and hands-on instruction provided by the Mcleods as well.  

“We'll find that a lot of our student base in the classes are usually from the local area so it also becomes a networking opportunity for everybody,” Mcleod said. “The fire department members that may not have known an equine vet in their response area now know one because of the class. Now there's that face-to-face relationship. Not only do they know each other now face to face, but they also have seen each other in a training environment while figuring out rescue scenarios so if there was a real emergency, there's more of a grasp on how somebody would behave during that rescue operation. It's a lot easier for them to work together as a cohesive team instead of just being complete strangers meeting for the first time at an overturned trailer with 10 horses in it.”

It is also important to note that these courses are not isolated to the state of Kentucky or North Carolina. 

This training in Rocky Mount, Va., helped first responders learn how to safely use heavy equipment to lift a horse if necessary. (They are practicing on a mannequin).

“We'll go anywhere someone wants to pay us to go. We've had invitations out to Colorado to do classes there,” Mcleod said. “There are other teams, sort of our colleagues, that do training courses so we kind of refer them to areas where it wouldn't be financially reasonable for us to go. We usually go on the East Coast. We've done classes annually in Kentucky and numerous classes throughout North Carolina and Virginia. We've done a couple of classes up north, but predominantly it's North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia so far. Wherever the need is we'll go.” 

With the very high quantity of horses and large animal livestock in not only Kentucky, but the entire Southeast, training like what the Mcleods offer can make a huge difference in the face of natural disasters like the tornadoes that ripped through the Southeastern portion of the United States in December. The chief of the Marshall County, Kentucky rescue team, Charles Pratt, and the rest of his team are some of the many people who have been able to put the large animal rescue training to use. 

“We had a couple horses that were on the ground tangled up in some barbed wire,” Pratt explained about the aftermath of the tornado. “We had to go up there and get them calm and protect their faces the way they taught us in the animal rescue class. Because of the training, we were able to get some grants and buy the equipment that we needed. It would've been very hard for us to do what we were doing without having the proper equipment and knowing how to use it.”

Outside of natural disasters, there are endless possibilities and situations where horses and other large animals get into dangerous situations and need to be rescued. Most importantly the people that rescue them need to be able to do so in a way that doesn't compromise the animal's safety or their own. This can seldom be accomplished without knowledge and proper training, which is not offered to most general emergency responders. 

“My biggest thing is for any emergency service or rescue squads to try to seek that training because when you least expect it you're going to have to do it,” Pratt concluded.

Learn more about 4Hooves Large Animal Services here. 

Learn more about attending the KHC large animal emergency rescue training course here.

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Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) employees and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment extension agents have been working diligently to create county-specific lists of items that are needed immediately. Though cleanup efforts will be ongoing, the most-needed equine items requested include buckets, winter blankets, halters, lead ropes, wheelbarrows, plastic totes, grooming supplies, water hoses, hay bags, wheelbarrows, muck tubs, pitchforks, shovels and first-aid supplies. A complete list of needs can be found here.

“We are honored to be a part of this relief effort,” said Nicole Rivera, Interim Deputy Executive Director. “Our location right off I-75 will hopefully make drop off of materials and items easy. As a park designed to celebrate the human-horse bond, we are thankful to be able to assist horse owners – and their horses – in their time of need.”

“The KDA has created an incredible system to identify needs by county,” said Sarah Coleman, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council. “The Horse Council is thankful for the opportunity to partner with our brothers and sisters in ag to coordinate deliveries of supplies from Central Kentucky to those hardest hit by the storms.”

Delivery of all donated goods will be provided by Brook Ledge Horse Transportation.

“The ability to give back to the horse industry that is so good to us is very important to the entire staff of Brook Ledge Inc.,” said Ashley VanMeter of Brook Ledge Inc. “We are humbled by the outpouring of support for the equine community and look forward to being able to assist them in any way we can.”

Donations will be accepted in the North Exhibit Hall of the Alltech Arena: Kentucky Horse Park 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Follow signs for Kentucky Horse Council. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Donations will begin being delivered to specific counties on Tuesday.

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The last survey completed in 2012 was the first done since 1977. The 2022 study, which will provide information on a county-by-county basis, will be a collaborative effort between the KHC, UK, and the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The survey aims to provide data for disease surveillance, keep policy makers informed and engaged proactively, inform workforce development, and identify emerging markets on which businesses can capitalize

“Data obtained from this study are important for the sustained strength and continued growth of Kentucky's equine industry,” said Dr. Jill Stowe, a UK professor and an equine industry economist. “Decision makers such as entrepreneurs and business owners, equine health providers, and policy makers can utilize this data to make sound, well-informed decisions on important issues facing the industry.”

Click to participate in the 2022 Kentucky Equine Survey. Questions can be directed to equine@uky.edu. Information about the 2012 Kentucky Equine Survey can be found here.

Once complete, results will be available free of charge on the KHC website in county-level fact sheets as well as in a statewide report.

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Just like the agritech, automotive and manufacturing industries are integral to Kentucky's economy, so are equines. The core of this unique economic cluster is its private and commercial horse farms and equine operations, from which hundreds of equine-related businesses stem. These businesses encompass everything from transportation, farm-related and professional services and associations to equine health services, tourism and related businesses. These ancillary businesses create an unmatched competitive advantage for Kentucky's equine industry.

A comprehensive study of the Commonwealth's equine industry was completed in 2012; it was the first survey of its kind to be done since 1977. The 2022 study will once again be a collaborative effort between the Kentucky Horse Council, the University of Kentucky and the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This information will be beneficial for local and state policymakers, nonprofit organizations and local government officials, among others. The survey, which will provide information critical to Kentucky's equine economy on a county-by-county basis, will:

• Provide data for disease surveillance
• Keep policy makers informed and engaged proactively
• Inform workforce development
• Identify emerging markets on which businesses can capitalize

“As the KHC is a non-breed, non-discipline specific organization focused on the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community, the information gleaned from this survey will be invaluable,” said Sarah Coleman, KHC executive director. “We're excited to learn more about the horses residing in the Commonwealth and how we can better assist them and their owners.”

Data obtained from this study are important for the sustained strength and continued growth of Kentucky's equine industry,” says Dr. Jill Stowe, a professor at the University of Kentucky and an equine industry economist. “Decision makers such as entrepreneurs and business owners, equine health providers, and policy makers can utilize this data to make sound, well-informed decisions on important issues facing the industry.”

Once complete, results will be available in county-level fact sheets as well as in a statewide report. All materials will be downloadable from the KHC website, free of charge.

This survey has received financial support from the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and the Environment; UK Gluck Equine Research Center; the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association; the Kentucky Horse Council and the Kentucky Farm Bureau. It is supported by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian and Representative Matt Koch. Interested in supporting this effort? Email Danielle Jostes, Equine Philanthropy Director, at danielle.jostes@uky.edu or call 859-218-1176.

Click here to participate in the 2022 Kentucky Equine Survey. Questions can be directed to equine@uky.edu. Information about the 2012 Kentucky Equine Survey can be found at https://equine.ca.uky.edu/kyequinesurvey.

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Schedule of the evening's events:

• Tour of Spy Coast Farm 5:30 – 6:30 PM
• Networking: 6:30 – 7 PM
• Dinner and Presentation: 7 – 8 PM

Location: Spy Coast Farm Equine Education Center, 3700 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511

The guest speaker for the evening is Tammy Barnes, Cooperative Extension Associate for University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. She will offer KENA attendees:

• Insight into the best equine management practices for the preservation of water quality on horse farms and equine facilities.
• Affordable, implementable steps to minimize the environmental impact of manure
• Possible funding sources for these measures
• Additional topics discussed will include riparian areas, heavy-use areas, water capture and composting

REGISTER HERE

KENA provides an educational and social venue for equine professionals and horse enthusiasts from all breeds and disciplines. Organized by the Kentucky Horse Council, KENA provides the opportunity for attendees to share ideas, business strategies and knowledge; and to obtain up-to-date information on horse and farm management, as well as on issues affecting the equine industry. KENA is made possible by the generous support of Dinsmore Equine Law Group, WesBanco, Neogen, University of Louisville College of Business Equine Industry Program, KESMARC Kentucky and Equine Land Conservation Resource.

For details and reservations, visit https://kentuckyhorse.org/KENA. Tickets are $40.

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Hosted on eBay, the auction is now open and will close on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.

All funds raised from the online auction will go directly toward funding key welfare initiatives to keep Kentucky horses safe; supporting horse owners in need of temporary financial reprieve of horse-care costs; and awarding scholarships to Kentucky students with an equine-industry focus.

Auction items can be viewed and bid on at www.ebay.com/usr/ky_horse_council

Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Kentucky Horse Council, a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. For more information, visit kentuckyhorse.org

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Jen Shah, CPA and head of Dean Dorton's equine practice, will offer insight into potential tax savings and deductions for equine operations. Dr. Jill Stowe, an associate professor in Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, focuses most of her research on equine markets. Dr. Stowe will offer KENA attendees some guiding principles for horse-management decisions and provide insight on how to weigh the economic impacts of these decisions.

Krista Lea holds a master's degree in Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences and coordinates the University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program. Krista will offer viewers easy-to-implement strategies to reduce the cost of horse ownership. This hour-long event will be moderated by Stephanie Church, Editor-in-Chief at The Horse Media Group, parent company of The Horse magazine, TheHorse.com and Off-Track Thoroughbred magazine.

All four KENA speakers are avid horse lovers and have been involved in various facets of Kentucky's equine industry, including management, racing and sport-horse competition, as well as research, education and publishing.

KENA provides an educational and social venue for equine professionals and horse enthusiasts from all disciplines. Organized by the Kentucky Horse Council, KENA provides the opportunity for attendees to share ideas, business strategies and knowledge; and to obtain up-to-date information on horse and farm management, and on issues affecting the equine industry. KENA is made possible by the generous support of Dinsmore Equine Law Group, WesBanco, Neogen, University of Louisville Equine Industry Program, KESMARC Kentucky, and Equine Land Conservation Resource.

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Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who are currently enrolled or who will be enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester. Applicants must be participating in equine-oriented classes or equine programs that focus on preparing students for careers in the equine industry. If no major or minor is offered, students must be able to demonstrate how they plan to use their area of study within the equine industry.

Some Kentucky schools that offer equine-focused programs include: Asbury University, Eastern Kentucky University, Georgetown College, the Kentucky Equine Management Internship program, Kentucky Horseshoeing School, Midway University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, the North American Racing Academy (part of the Bluegrass Community & Technical College), Northern Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University, among others. Examples of courses of studies for which the scholarships are intended include equine science, equine management, equine business, equine-assisted therapy, pre-veterinarian, national farrier training program, equine industry workforce certificate and others.

Applications for the scholarship will be accepted until Dec. 11, 2021. Scholarship recipients will be announced on Jan. 4, 2021.

To become a student member of the Kentucky Horse Council, visit kentuckyhorse.org/join-us. To download the scholarship application, visit kentuckyhorse.org/KHC-Scholarship

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An avid equestrian, Coleman grew up in northeastern Ohio and graduated from the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. Coleman moved to the Bluegrass in 2004 to work with multiple equine and agriculture-related publications based in the area. She shifted to equine-oriented roles at Lexington Catholic High School and Georgetown College before transitioning to her most recent role as Community and Public Relations Director for New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.

“I am excited to step into this role with the Kentucky Horse Council,” Coleman said. “Katy [Ross] did an incredible job; I look forward to capitalizing on the momentum she has built to grow the membership, develop relationships and resources, and awareness of the organization and its mission and programs within Kentucky. I have invested my life into the education of equine enthusiasts and equine welfare, and I am looking forward to seeing what can be accomplished in this new role.”

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An avid equestrian, Coleman grew up in northeastern Ohio and graduated from the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens, OH. Coleman moved to the Bluegrass in 2004 to work with multiple equine and agriculture- related publications based in the area. She shifted to equine-oriented roles at Lexington Catholic High School and Georgetown College before transitioning to her most recent role as Community and Public Relations Director for New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. In that role, Coleman oversaw the construction of New Vocations at Mereworth Farm and established the New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park among other endeavors.

In addition, Coleman holds roles on multiple equine boards and committees, including being secretary and treasurer of the Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association, a member of the University of Kentucky's Saddle Up Safely program and a member of the Kentucky Horse Breeders Incentive Fund Non-Race Committee, among others.

“I am excited to step into this role with the Kentucky Horse Council,” Coleman says “Katy [Ross] did an incredible job; I look forward to capitalizing on the momentum she has built to grow the membership, develop relationships and resources, and awareness of the organization and its mission and programs within the Kentucky I have invested my life into the education of equine enthusiasts and equine welfare, and I am looking forward to seeing what can be accomplished in this new role.”

“We are delighted to have Sarah join the Kentucky Horse Council as Executive Director,” said Ryan Watson, President of the Kentucky Horse Council, “with Sarah's experience as well as expertise in the non-profit sector, I feel very confident that she can continue moving the KHC forward.”

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL – The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities through the Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA), trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs,personal liability insurance and other membership benefits. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.

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