Orange County Firefighters Train With Horses for Rescues

When a horse named Choco fell into a ravine in San Juan Capistrano in 2021 and needed a helicopter rescue, firefighters realized they had a problem. Their only large animal training had involved a plastic horse in a garage.

That gap in preparation led to something remarkable. The Shea Center, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities through equine therapy, partnered with the Orange County Fire Authority to create the county's first live horse rescue training program.

Now in its fifth year, the program brings firefighters face to face with real horses on sunny mornings at the San Juan Capistrano facility. They learn to read equine body language, apply rescue harnesses, and approach frightened animals without getting kicked or trampled.

The stakes are higher than most people realize. Orange County's high concentration of equine facilities means firefighters respond to five to 10 horse rescues every year, from animals stuck on trails to horses unable to stand in their barns.

"It's one of the most dangerous calls we run," said Danny Goodwin, a battalion chief with the Orange County Fire Authority. "We're around a large animal that is scared."

The training covers critical skills firefighters never learned in traditional rescue courses. Veterinarians teach equine anatomy while staff members explain how horses think as prey animals, constantly watching for threats and ready to bolt or kick.

Firefighters practice building makeshift halters from their own equipment and leading horses through obstacles. They learn that horses need a confident "herd leader" during emergencies, especially one who understands their instincts.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches beyond successful rescues. When firefighters arrive prepared and confident, horse owners can step back instead of running into danger to save their animals.

Veterinarian Danielle Keating, who helped with the original Choco rescue, has seen the difference firsthand. "We've now had rescues since this training, and they've gone so much smoother," she said.

The success has inspired hopes of expanding the model to other communities. The Shea Center wants to share their training approach with equine facilities across the country, turning a local solution into a nationwide safety improvement.

For firefighter Matthew Petro, the value is simple. "The only interaction we ever had with a live animal was on an incident," he said. "That's not the right time to learn."

Now Orange County's first responders know exactly what to do when the next call comes in.