During an emergency transfer when a horse spooks, which sequence should occur while the horse is being led?

• A. The patient is pushed to the left so the left sidewalker can pull the patient off the horse, while the horse handler turns the horse's head to the left and the right sidewalker moves sideways with the horse
• B. The patient is simply dropped to the arena floor
• C. The therapist withdraws from assisting
• D. The horse continues on with the patient while calming the horse

Answer: (A)

During an emergency transfer when a horse spooks, the priority is to remove the patient from the horse quickly and safely while keeping the horse under control. The sequence that accomplishes this involves three coordinated actions: one sidewalker helps the patient off the horse, the horse handler directs the horse away, and the other sidewalker stays with the horse to maintain control and space.

Pushing the patient to the left allows the left sidewalker to pull the patient off the horse in a controlled, downward motion away from the horse’s hindquarters, reducing the risk of being kicked or dragged. Having the horse handler turn the horse’s head to the left reorients the horse and diverts its attention away from the patient, which helps prevent the horse from bolting or continuing to spook toward the person. The right sidewalker moving sideways with the horse maintains space and control of the animal’s body, preventing the horse from circling back or crowding the transfer area.

Other options fail to address safety in a single, coordinated sequence: dropping the patient is dangerous and unlikely in a controlled arena; the therapist stepping away abandons the patient mid-emergency; and allowing the horse to continue with the patient while trying to calm it increases the risk of injury to both the patient and staff.