50th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, 2004 - Denver, CO, USA , (Ed.). Publisher: American Association of Equine Practitioners, Lexington KY. Internet Publisher: International Veterinary Information Service, Ithaca NY (www.ivis.org), Last updated: 4-Dec-2004; P1479.1204 How to Employ Recumbent Transport, Perform a Simple Vertical Lift, and Perform Proper Helicopter Slingload of Horses R. M. Gimenez 1 , T. Gimenez 2 , K. B. Stafford 3 , F. J. Caldwell 4 , J. Baker 5 , J. McKasson 6 and J. C. Walker 7 1,7 Anderson College, Anderson, SC, USA; 2 Animal Veterinary Science Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA; 3 Stafford Equine Veterinary Services, Pendleton, SC, USA; 4 Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; 5 U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, Fort Bragg, NC, USA; 6 College of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA. Improved alternatives for the successful technical rescue and transport of horses to veterinary facilities are available to practitioners. One of the most commonly needed techniques, vertical lift of horses (i.e., temporary recumbence caused by slick surfaces, falls into swimming pools, septic tanks, muddy areas, ice, or steep ravines, or geriatric degeneration/weakness), is performed with locally available equipment and webbing. Recumbent transport of viremic, recumbent, geriatric, and severely injured horses on a Rescue Glide sked requires minimal personnel and training, and it provides an efficient means of movement. Helicopter slingload of horses trapped in remote, inaccessible areas (floodwater, steep ravines, etc.) during a disaster or emergency may be accomplished using the Anderson Sling [a ], but use of this device requires significant planning, resources, and personnel training for safe employment. 1. Introduction Vertical Lift Because of prey instincts, great weight, and sensitive nature, horses are difficult to remove from the environment of mud, swimming pools, septic tanks, and steep ravines. Downed or recumbent horses will experience difficulty breathing, depression, gut motility decline, and/or self- injury struggling to rise. There is little information in the scientific or veterinary literature that provides a viable solution to this problem [1 ]. Lay use of slings of various types in attempts to lift and suspend geriatric or injured horses have been sporadic in their success [b,c ] and may be extremely complicated. A rope figure-eight sling was promoted for many years by several rescue and humane groups; however, our live demonstration testing of this method using horses (Fig. 1 ) found it unreliable, complicated, and uncomfortable to the animals. Figure 1 . Although promoted for many years, the figure-eight rope or Web Sling is unreliable and uncomfortable, and it does not provide sufficient surface area contact with the skin in live testing on demonstration horses. (Photo courtesy of Officer Sandy Mayberry, Winston- Salem Rescue Squad, Winston-Salem, NC). To view click on figure Use of the Simple Vertical Lift Web Sling (Fig. 2 ) has been successful in lifting animals in both clinical and rescue situations. However, it is not recommended for lifts >10 min in duration [2 ]. If an animal must be suspended for clinical reasons for greater periods of time (hours, days, weeks, or months) or requires technical rescue with a helicopter lift, the practitioner should choose the Anderson Sling [c ]. Figure 2 . The Simple Vertical Lift Web Sling in place during a practice lift of a horse out of mud. Overhead crane-lift equipment is connected to the spread bar by prusik loops that prevent the webs from slipping together. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Nathan Slovis, Hagyard-Davidson- McGee, Lexington, KY). To view click on figure The Simple Vertical Lift Sling consists of webbing straps with sewn loops, prusik connectors, and steel attachment points for use with a vertical lift system (Fig. 3 ). Custom-made National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Instron-tested webbing straps are available [d ] and should be used in these situations, if possible). A horse should be fully sedated during vertical lift to prevent further injury to itself or attending personnel. Figure 3 . The Simple Vertical Lift Sling includes (1) chest restraint, (2) web straps with sewn loops (either commercial custom-made straps or fire-hose webbing), (3) steel large-gate carbiners, (4) 3-ft spread bar with steel shackles, and (5) 6-ft prusik loops of rescue-grade rope. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Janice Baker, CPT, U. S. Army Veterinary Corps., Fayetteville, NC). To view click on figure