UC Davis Large Animal Lift
The UC Davis LAL (Large Animal Lift) is a device used for lifting down horses by the
skeletal system using lightweight equipment that can be applied easily to a down horse. A
diagram of the application of the LAL to a horse is attached
Background: The development of the ‘Anderson Sling’ at UC Davis was a joint effort of
Dr. John Madigan, Richard Morgan and Charles Anderson. When Madigan returned to
UC Davis from private practice in 1983 he began seeing a large number of neurological
patients. Madigan, along with Anderson a welder and inventor, and Richard Morgan,
large animal clinic supervisor teamed up to develop and test what would become the sling
used around the world to help weak horses and assist with anesthesia recovery. Following
completion of the sling Madigan found many circumstances in the field and in clinics
where there was a need for a simplified device that was easier to put on a down horse.
Madigan again enlisted the help of Richard Morgan, Charlie Anderson, and Greg Ferraro
from the Center for Equine Health, to develop a useful device for assisting horses to stand
which could be put on a down horse. The Anderson sling works well for longer term
lifting, but is difficult to put on a down horse without sedating or anesthetizing the animal
and this then further limits the ability to assess the horse once lifted.
The UC Davis Large Animal Lift is a lightweight, simple to use, affordable piece of
equipment which has already saved a number or horses lives. Following testing on
various sized horses the LAL has been used in the field on horses down from anywhere
from 6 days to 29 days and successfully lifted the horses to allow them to stand.
The uses of the LAL include the following:
Lifting down horses in the field using a tractor, back hoe or other overhead device.
Anesthesia recovery assist
Pulling recumbent horses from stalls or trailers
Lifting or pulling horses stuck in mud, ravines etc.
Lifting weak older horse that get down and can’t rise
Preventing horses with pelvic injuries or other orthopedic injuries from lying down.
The LAL can be used to pull a horse to a skid device and then lifted out of many difficult
circumstances.
The LAL is covered under patent number #4831967 and is manufactured by the Care for
Disabled Animals (Charles Anderson) and distributed by Large Animal Lift Enterprises,
1026 Marchetti Court, Chico, CA 95926, telephone 530-320-2627. Richard Morgan is
available for group or clinic training in use of the LAL and Anderson Sling. Proper
instruction and training are required for safe use of the LAL in horses. Use of the LAL
without undergoing specific training could result in serious injury to or death of the horse
and/or individuals attempting to work with the down horse.