Using the Rescue Glide in Technical Large Animal Rescue

Rebecca Gimenez VMAT-3 Member

Primary Instructor, TLAER

VMATVeterinary MedicalAssistance Teams

OER/NDMS AVMA

The Rescue GlideModified from the MSPCA version.

Severe Injuries(Neurological andMusculo-Skeletal), Shock, Geriatric,Trail Accidents, Large Animal Cadaver Removal.

“Karma” the demonstrator TWH horse.Courtesy Palm Beach County FD, FL

In this training scenario, a sedated animal is strapped to the Rescue Glide with the front and rear straps, then the hobbledlegs are pulled close to the body. The head is protected and alsotied down to prevent struggling.Photos courtesy Dr. Janice Baker, US Army Vet Corps

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Accessories for the Rescue Glide

1- 3” ratchet straps with fleece pads.2 - Webbing with velcro for securing head to glide.3 - Rope, pulley and carabiner for pulling hobbles.4 - Leg hobbles with Prussik loops and carabiners.5 – Fleece pad protection for rope.6 – Head protection.7 – 10’ or longer nylon web (not shown).

“Angel” the demonstrator TWH horse.Photo Courtesy Boston Animal Rescue League, MA

Rachet straps and hobbles with a pulley system allow the animal to be safely connected to the plastic Glide.

The Rescue Glide (modified) is 8 feet long and made of recycled plastic to prevent breaking or cracking in use. Here it is used to move a horse in a training scenario across pavement to an Equine Ambulance.

Photo courtesy Laura Bevan, Humane Society of the United States

Place the Rescue Glide behind the back of the recumbent animal. The animal may be rolled over onto the Glide, or pulled onto it, depending on the assessment of injuries. Head protection should be placed on the animal to protect the eyes and face.

To get an appropriate anchor point on the animal, use a 20 foot section of web and slide it under the animal’s neck and head, or under the tail. Then using a see-saw motion, pull it under the body.

Use a cane or stick to handle the legs – NEVER get between the legs with your hands or body.

The web, head/neck and tail may now be used in combination to pull the animal onto the Glide. The head/neck and the tail pull should be steady and in coordination with the movement of the body. Operational control and timing is important.

Once the animal is on the Glide, leave the web in place as a future tool to remove the animal from the Glide. Now the rachet straps can be applied to the animal’s body.

Legs are hobbled and pulled in close to the body of the horse, and the head is strapped down with a Velcro web. All procedures should be completed from the DORSAL side of the animal to prevent injuries to personnel.

“Elecktra” the demonstrator TWHPhoto courtesy Mark Cole, US Rider

Applying a splint to the horse’s injured leg in a demonstration.

“Elecktra” the demonstrator TWHPhoto courtesy Mark Cole, US Rider

A modified Robert Jones bandage and Kimsey splint have been applied to the injured extremity, which should be on the high side to allow protection of it while moving the Glide. Photo courtesy Dr. Linda Molesworth, MD

Once removed from the rescue environment, an injured animal can be allowed to get up with the Kimsey Splint applied.Photo Courtesy Mark Cole, US Rider

“Elecktra” the demonstrator TWHPhoto courtesy Mark Cole, US Rider

Actual Rescue Example #1: A QH mare with a broken pelvis is transported on the Glide to veterinary facilities. A portable winch in the trailer is used to pull the animal on the Glide into the Equine Ambulance.

Photo courtesy Gilder Cantrell, SC LART

Actual Rescue Example #2: Where a ramp or equine ambulance are not available, 4x4’s placed behind the trailer in a divet work beautifully.

Photo series courtesy Jeff Fishman, Seneca, SC

QH with a broken C-1 vertebra from a pasture accident is loaded in a trailer for transport to UGA veterinary facilities. The legs and neck are in extension (torticolis), and have to be folded to fit. 3 people were able to pull the horse up the ramp into the trailer.

Hay bales are used to prevent flailing of this horse, head protection is an adult size life vest, and a blanket is for protection and warmth.

The use of the Glide facilitates transportation of the horse at delivery and within veterinary facilities. Here the horse is lifted with a forklift with extra long forks.

An injured 1,200 lb mare is pulled by 4 people almost 200 feet through a dirt paddock to a waiting Equine Ambulance for loading and transport to veterinary facilities.

The mare is delivered into the exam room at the University of Georgia Vet School Large Animal Clinic. Note she has a modified Robert Jones bandage on the injured extremity, which is on the high side and NOT hobbled to the other legs.Photo Courtesy Dr. Fred Caldwell, UGA Veterinary School

Extreme Rescue Scenarios:Here a 700 lb Horse Mannakin in a training scenario is moved by members of the Winston-Salem, NC Rescue Squad over a deep creek using ladders and ropes with pulleys for control of the load.

Carcass Recovery:A dead large animal is heavy and difficult to move because of the friction its weight produces. This horse had to be moved almost a mile to the burial site, easily completed with a small tractor or ATV.