Large Animal Rescue Operations

Large Animal Rescue Operations (LARO)

Delivered by the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI)
Hosted by the Horsemen’s Council of Illinois and Midway Trailer Sales and Service

Saturday, November 7, 2026
10 a.m.–4 p.m. (end time approximate)
Midway Trailer Sales and Service
18292 E. Frontage Rd., Litchfield, IL 62056

When a large animal becomes trapped, injured or involved in an accident, safely managing the situation requires an understanding of both rescue techniques and animal behavior.

Join the Horsemen’s Council of Illinois and Midway Trailer Sales and Service for Large Animal Rescue Operations, delivered by the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI).

Part of IFSI’s Agriculture Rescue Program, Large Animal Rescue Operations provides operations-level information and practical techniques for responding to emergencies involving large animals. The IFSI curriculum addresses animals including horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, llamas and alpacas, with horses and cattle serving as primary teaching models.

The training combines classroom instruction with practical large-animal rescue concepts and techniques. Topics in the IFSI Large Animal Rescue Operations curriculum include:

• Large-animal behavior, handling and restraint

• Special considerations when working safely around large animals

• Basic and advanced large-animal rescue techniques

• Haltering and the use of restraint devices

• Basic rescue drag techniques

• Rescue glide techniques

• Trailer safety and orientation

• Large-animal transportation and roadway accidents

• Strategies for extricating large animals from transport vehicles

• Vertical-lift concepts and techniques

• Mud-rescue concepts and techniques

• Equipment used in large-animal rescue operations

• Application of rescue principles to emergency-response scenarios

The course is especially relevant to firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement and other emergency responders, as well as horse and livestock owners who want a better understanding of what happens during a large-animal emergency and how responders work to safely manage these challenging situations.

Registration

Preregistration is highly encouraged. Space is limited

Fee: FREE

What to Bring

Attendees are encouraged to bring:

• A chair

• Notepad and pen

• Clothing appropriate for the weather

Portions of the program will take place indoors and outdoors, so please plan accordingly.

Lunch will be provided.

The Horsemen’s Council of Illinois Annual Meeting will also take place during the lunch break. Everyone attending the event is welcome to participate.