According to a release, the course will focus on "basic concepts applicable to safe and effective methods of technical rescue for injured horses."

Designed primarily for fire fighters and veterinarians, the goal is to train more than 100 firefighters over the next two years.

A portion of the funding for the course is coming by way of a grant from the Thoroughbred Charities of America organization. The other sponsors are USRider Equestrian Motor Plan and Hagyard-Davidson-McGee.

Thirty 30 participants will receive certification upon completion of the course. Training will be both classroom and "hands on" experiences, including night search and rescue.

Hagyard's plan is to have 100 rescue personel and veterinarians in Kentucky trained in the next two years.

The course instructors are Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez. The chairman of the equine emergency department at Hagyard-Davidson McKee is Dr. Nathan Slovis.