Every horse owner knows that no matter how hard you try to eliminate safety hazards, if there is a way to get hurt, a horse will find it. Horse owners also put themselves and their animals at risk every time the horses are loaded in the trailer for a trip to a horse show or to trail ride with friends.

When accidents occur, what do you do? Who do you call? When it becomes necessary to dial 911 and rescue personnel come to your aid, will they know how to remove your horse from the situation without further injuring the animal, themselves or bystanders? Will the 911 dispatcher know to request a large animal veterinarian for assistance?

The Butler County Animal Response Team in cooperation with Penn State Extension and the Butler County 4-H horse program will offer a safety seminar for horse owners, horse business owners, 4-H members and first responders on April 26 at Storm Harbor Equestrian Center located on the campus of Slippery Rock University from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Presented by Ed Childers of the North Strabane Volunteer Fire Department in Washington County, the seminar will cover a range of topics addressing emergency situations including working with emergency responders through an incident, use of proper lifting techniques and proper placement of rescue hardware, how to tie emergency harnesses and halters, safe horse hauling, barn fire safety and fire extinguisher use.

Registration is required. Cost for the seminar is $25 per person, $20 for 4-H members. Group rates are also available. Lunch and refreshments are included.

The seminar will be held rain or shine. Indoor arena facilities are available in the event of inclement weather. Participants are asked to bring their own chair.

For additional information and a copy of the brochure and registration form, contact Donna Zang at the Penn State Extension Office at 724-287-4761, Ext. 227.

Farm-City BanquetSarah Wurzbacher, Penn State Extension Educator based in Crawford County, will be the featured speaker for the annual Farm-City Banquet planned for March 17. Sarah’s topic is “The NEWBio Project: Growing a New Energy Industry in the Northeast U.S.”The NEWBio Project focuses on converting plant or plant-derived materials into different forms of energy, like biofuels, biopower and bioproducts. Sarah will discuss the potential opportunities for agriculture producers and consumers in our region as part of this project.Co-sponsored by the Butler PM Rotary, Penn State Extension, the Butler County Conservation District, AgChoice Farm Credit and the USDA Farm Service Agency, the dinner will be held at the Tanglewood Center located off Hansen Avenue in Lyndora.There will be light refreshments beginning at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.Prepaid registration is required. Reservations are $14 per person.Contact the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761, Ext. 222. Reservations will be accepted until noon, Wednesday. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Hope to see you there!This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.