Mounted officers bond closely with their partners – both human and equine

Mounted officers bond closely with their partners – both human and equine

Whenever riders work with horses, it’s natural for bonds to form between the two. Mounted policemen and their horses are no exception; they form strong bonds with their partners, especially because they spend so much time training and working together. And when those partners are separated — by a reassignment, a horse’s retirement or a horse’s passing — the officers mourn and miss their partners.

The law enforcement community benefits greatly from the presence of mounted police. Due to their elevated position and use of huge horses, mounted police are among the most noticeable members of the police force, according to Law Enforcement EDU. Mounted police have the advantage of their horses’ speed to aid them throughout the pursuit, which allows them to maintain a foot pursuit for longer than foot patrol police personnel can. Additionally, due to their size and power, horses themselves are helpful in crowd control.

An officer must complete an extra 400 hours of training before becoming a mounted police officer. The policeman gains knowledge about horse maintenance as well as working and riding techniques. Mounted police develop a close relationship with their assigned mounts as they learn how to communicate effectively with their horses.
Specialized training is also provided for the horses themselves. Police horses on mounts must develop the ability to maintain attention under pressure. They are exposed to a variety of distractions, including traffic, commotion, and loud noises. The horses are prepared and trained so they can function well when they start their patrols.

As horse and rider get to know each other, they learn how to work together like a well-oiled machine. They develop the trust necessary when working in dangerous situations and form the same strong bonds that many riders have with their own horses.