BELNAN: When Nine Mile River Volunteer Fire Department members get called to an emergency, they’re trained for a lot, but not every call involves people.
That’s why the department spent Wednesday night Feb. 4 at Sunnyridge Equestrian, getting hands-on training in how to safely handle horses in the event of a barn fire or emergency evacuation.
The visit gave firefighters a chance to learn the layout of the facility, see the barn set-up they could be dealing with in a real call, and most importantly understand how horses think, react, and move under stress.
Horses read your energy — fast
Two coaches at Sunnyridge explained that horses can react quickly to stress, often shifting into what was described as a “fight, flight, or freeze” response.
Firefighters were told that staying calm isn’t just good practice, it’s essential around horses.
“A horse can feel your heart from 10 metres away,” Jessica Glassford, one of the coaches at Sunnyridge explained, noting that horses pick up on human stress and may mirror it.
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Knowing where a horse can’t see
A major safety lesson focused on horse blind spots.
Glassford and another coach, Gracie Walker, said that while horses have strong side vision, they cannot see directly in front of them or directly behind them, which is why firefighters were told to avoid standing behind a horse, and to keep a hand on the animal when moving around its side.
“Pressure” matters
Firefighters also took part in an exercise meant to help them understand “pressure” or in other terms how a horse feels when someone gets too close, moves too quickly, or forces an interaction.
The group was taught to watch for signs like ears back, head turning away, showing the whites of the eyes, or bared teeth, all signs the horse may be uncomfortable or stressed.
Tools: halters, lead lines — and improvising
The training included how to properly use a standard halter and lead line, along with what to do if firefighters encounter a loose horse without equipment.
Glassford noted that even a rope or something like a dog leash can be used carefully around the horse’s neck once the animal has calmed down.
They also demonstrated how to make an “emergency halter” using a rope, giving responders more control over the horse’s head during evacuation.
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In a fire, the plan isn’t just “open the door”
A key part of the night, and the main reason the full complement of firefighters from NMR were there, was discussing how horses may react to smoke, flames, sirens, turnout gear, flashing lights, confined spaces, and slippery footing.
Walker said the best approach depends on where the fire is, but stressed that horses need to be moved to a safe enclosed area and away from roads.
The facility’s fire safety plan is to move horses into a paddock if possible, bringing out only a couple at a time and securing gates behind them so they don’t bolt into traffic.
Learning personalities — before an emergency
The firefighters were also encouraged to observe each horse’s personality and behaviour, learning which animals were calm, curious, nervous, or reactive.
That kind of knowledge, Sunnyridge’s Glassford and Walker explained, can make all the difference if firefighters ever have to enter the barn in a real emergency.
The firefighters in attendance seemed to enjoy the night of learn, as informative and fun as it was getting to hang with and even walk some of the horses.
