Courses offering basic and advanced emergency first aid equine care training will soon be available at Windhorse Retreat near Rimbey.
The basic equine first aid course, which is a prerequisite for the advanced course, will be offered March 21.
The advanced course will be offered April 25.
Sandy Bell, who owns Windhorse Retreat, will instruct the basic course which she said deals with fundamental skills such as bandaging and assessing the horse’s vital signs.
The Advanced Remote and Wilderness Equine First Aid course is being introduced this year and will also be offered at Windhorse Retreat.
“I’m so proud they are coming to Rimbey,” said Bell, adding the Rimbey area is among the first in Alberta and Canada to be selected to offer the course.
Those who successfully complete the course will be certified by Equi-Health Canada.
“It is quite intensive and we will bring in specialized instructors for it,” she said.
Equi-Health Canada/Equi-First Aid U.S. is an international organization dedicated to helping owners and enthusiasts improve the health and safety of equines. Their instructors provide emergency first aid training to individuals, clubs and organizations across Canada, the United States and in other countries, as well.
The first aid courses were developed by veterinarians in conjunction with farriers, equine chiropractors, equine massage therapists, back country outfitters and others.