NCJ Number
89105
Date Published
1982
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This monograph addresses many aspects of horse-mounted police units, including costs, tactical use, organization size, and preferred breeds and concludes that the use of mounted police is increasing in the United States.
Abstract
The 25 units surveyed are at least 32 percent of all mounted police units and a broad representation of sizes and geographic regions. Most respondents believed that mounted units would increase in the near future, and all agreed on the value of horses in riot control. Information on unit size is given for two categories: municipal police and State, park, and campus police. While New York City has 106 horses and 110 sworn officers, the range for other cities is 2 to 53 horses and 3 to 55 officers. The most popular breed is the grade horse, followed by the thoroughbred and quarter horse. Municipal units liked horses ranging from 15 to 15 3/4 hands, while park, State, and campus police preferred a slightly larger horse. Geldings were almost exclusively chosen. Municipal units acquire horses at a median age of 4 years and State, park, and campus police at 6 years. Most horses remain in service 9 to 12 years. While about half the units had some horses donated, others indicated they purchased animals at a cost of $950 to $1,250. Horses are trained to disregard all distractions and respond to their riders' signals and commands. Departments use mounted units for downtown patrol, public relations, traffic control, sports events, riot control, investigation, search and rescue, and park patrol. Weather poses few problems, except for extreme heat. Training a horse can cost from $800 to $1,600, and food and bedding range from $1,000 to $1,500 annually. Additional areas covered include preferred colors, disposing of horses, gaits, grooming styles, tack, salaries, riders' characteristics and training, uniforms, arms, and veterinarian and farrier costs. Tables and a list of the units surveyed are provided.