August 2nd Loading Rodeo & Live Drill (Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Grounds 4040 Highway 101, Santa Maria (Gate 2): Something different for this training. We ask everyone to bring their horses to this training and we are going to trade horses. Meaning? We will take turns loading each other’s horses into each other’s trailers. This is a perfect opportunity in a quiet setting to practice handling and loading horses with which we are unfamiliar with. Also, it gives our horses the opportunity to load in a trailer they are unfamiliar with, with the owner present to give advice. Members that don’t have a truck and trailer are encouraged to come as well as they can team up with single drivers. This is another thing that would happen in an actual emergency. This training is designed to help everyone, handlers and horses, to work with the situation at hand. We hope it is a good experience for all. The other part of the training will focus on the activation of the staging/sheltering trailers, shelter crew and trailering teams. This training is an important opportunity to enhance our preparedness and operational effectiveness. The horses will be utilized for pick-up at the “specified addresses” given at staging, along with intake forms and then delivered to the shelter area for intake of the animal. It is essential that all team members participate in this critical exercise.
