If you are interested in learning about mounted police and the horses that are traditionally used for this purpose, then this article is for you. We will discuss the history of mounted police and the horse breeds that were traditionally used for this purpose, as well as an overview of modern horse breeds commonly used by mounted police today. Finally, we will look at tips for selecting a breed that is suitable for mounted police work. So, if you are intrigued by the idea of mounted police and the horses they use, keep reading to learn more!
History of Mounted Police and Horse Breeds Traditionally Used
Mounted police have been around since the early 19th century in Europe and the United States. Initially, the police were mounted on horseback to patrol on city streets and rural areas. Horses were also used for crowd control and for arresting criminals.
Advantages of Horseback Riding for Police
Horses offer significant advantages for police officers. The height of a horse gives an officer a better view of the area, and the horse’s speed can help them to quickly respond to emergencies. Horses also provide a sense of safety and protection for officers in rough areas.
Horse Breeds Traditionally Used for Police
The most common horse breeds used by police are the Quarter Horse, American Paint Horse, American Saddlebred, and Appaloosa. These breeds are chosen for their athleticism, good temperaments, and intelligence. Other breeds used include the Arabian, Thoroughbred, Morgan, and Standardbred.
Quarter Horse
The Quarter Horse is one of the most popular breeds used by mounted police. They are known for their speed and agility, and they have good temperaments. They are also very good-natured and easy to train.
American Paint Horse
The American Paint Horse is a mix of the American Quarter Horse and the American Saddlebred. They are known for their good temperaments and intelligence. They are also strong and fast and can handle a variety of terrain.
American Saddlebred
The American Saddlebred is a versatile breed that is known for its intelligence and good temperaments. They are also strong and fast, and they can handle a variety of terrain.
Appaloosa
The Appaloosa is a fast and agile breed with a good temperament. They are also known for their intelligence and loyalty, making them a great choice for mounted police.
Arabian
The Arabian is a strong, fast, and intelligent breed that is known for its good temperaments and loyalty. They are also good at jumping and can handle a variety of terrain.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a fast and agile breed that is known for its good temperaments and intelligence. They are also very strong and can handle a variety of terrain.
Morgan
The Morgan is a strong and fast breed with a good temperament. They are also known for their intelligence and loyalty, making them a great choice for mounted police.
Standardbred
The Standardbred is an athletic breed that is known for its good temperaments and intelligence. They are also strong and fast and can handle a variety of terrain.
Overview of Modern Horse Breeds Commonly Used by Mounted Police
Mounted police forces have been around since the 1800s, and they’ve evolved to use a variety of horse breeds. Today, some of the most popular breeds used by mounted police include:
Shire
The Shire is a large, strong horse breed that was developed in England in the late 1700s. It stands between 16 and 18 hands high and is known for its docile temperament, making it a great option for mounted police. They’re also known for their sure-footedness, which makes them well-suited for the rugged terrain often encountered in mounted police work.
Percheron
The Percheron is a large, athletic horse breed that was developed in France in the 19th century. It stands between 16 and 18 hands high and is known for its calm nature and intelligence, making it a great option for mounted police. They’re also known for their sure-footedness, which makes them well-suited for the rugged terrain often encountered in mounted police work.
Clydesdale
The Clydesdale is a large, strong horse breed that was developed in Scotland in the 1700s. It stands between 16 and 18 hands high and is known for its gentle temperament, making it a great option for mounted police. They’re also known for their sure-footedness, which makes them well-suited for the rugged terrain often encountered in mounted police work.
Appaloosa
The Appaloosa is a medium-sized horse breed that was developed in the United States in the 1800s. It stands between 14 and 16 hands high and is known for its gentle temperament, making it a great option for mounted police. They’re also known for their agility, which makes them well-suited for the varied terrain often encountered in mounted police work.
Morgan
The Morgan is a medium-sized horse breed that was developed in the United States in the 1800s. It stands between 14 and 16 hands high and is known for its gentle temperament, making it a great option for mounted police. They’re also known for their athleticism, which makes them well-suited for the varied terrain often encountered in mounted police work.
In addition to these popular breeds, there are a variety of other horse breeds that are used by mounted police forces around the world, including the Arabian, Friesian, and Paint.
No matter which breed they choose, mounted police officers need to ensure their horses are well-trained and able to handle the physical and mental demands of the job.
Tips for Selecting a Breed Suitable for Mounted Police Work
When choosing a breed for mounted police work, it’s important to consider a few key factors. These include the horse’s size and agility, its temperament, and its ability to handle the physical demands of the job.
Size and Agility
The ideal size for a mounted police horse is between 15 and 16 hands (approximately 5’ to 5’3” tall). A smaller horse is more maneuverable, while a larger horse can carry more weight. Breeds such as the Belgian, Percheron, and Shire have been used for centuries in mounted police work due to their size, strength, and agility.
Temperament
The temperament of a horse is just as important as its size and agility. A mounted police horse needs to be calm and docile, yet alert and responsive to commands. Breeds such as the American Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, and Paint are well-known for their gentle and even-tempered dispositions.
Physical Demands
Mounted police work is physically demanding for the horse. The horse must be able to handle long hours of riding, and be able to maneuver in tight spaces. Breeds such as the Arabian and Morgan are known for their endurance and agility, which makes them suitable for mounted police work.
Conclusion
When selecting a breed for mounted police work, it’s important to consider size and agility, temperament, and the physical demands of the job. Breeds such as the Belgian, Percheron, Shire, American Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Paint, Arabian, and Morgan may be well-suited for mounted police work.
Summary
Mounted police have been around since the 1800s, using horseback riding as a way to patrol cities and rural areas, assist with crowd control, and making arrests. Horses offer officers an advantage due to their height giving them better sight of their surroundings while also providing speed and protection in difficult situations. The most common farm breeds traditionally used by police are Quarter Horse, American Paint Horse, American Saddlebreds and Appaloosas for athleticism traits combined with good temperaments and intelligence. Other breeds that may be used include Arabian Thoroughbreds Morgan Standardbreds etc.