"Large animal rescue if for anyone interested in cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, alpacas and goats," Lyn Booth, Manning Landcare co-ordinator said. "It's also pertinent for anyone who trucks animals.

"These courses are very timely. With the continuing dry weather animals are more at risk. Dams are boggy and could pose a risk for stock. People are trying to access that last green pick and letting animals into areas like gardens. There are potential hazards for animals in household yards; septic tanks, for instance, are not designed to have horse or cow stand on the lid! And there are garden plants that are poisonous."

The course will teach you what you should and should not do in an emergency and how to prevent your animal from being strangled, drowned, dropped or severely injured by unsafe rescue techniques.

While 83 per cent of people admit they would risk their own lives to save their animals, a trapped large animal can kill you by accident. The course is as much about safety for the rescuers as it is for the animals.

The workshop is being offered at a reduced rate of $110 per person, due to funding from Hunter Local Land Services being to help subsidise the course. Morning tea and lunch are included in the cost, and each participant will be given a copy of the book, Equine Emergency Rescue.

Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Lyn on 0427 530 681 or emailing lyn@manninglandcare.org.

For more information on large animal rescue visit www.equineER.com.