Mounted Patrol horses are acquired through both donation and purchase. The following are our standards for acquiring a new horse.
- Must be 15.2 hands or taller.
- Must be between four (4) and eight (8) years of age.
- Must be a gelding.
- Must have a gentle disposition, free of vicious habits (biting, kicking, etc.).
- Must be broke under saddle.
- Must be certified as sound by a veterinarian and farrier.
- Must be registered with a specific breed.
The donor or seller must agree to a 90 day trial period contract to ensure the horse will be a good fit for the work that is required. If after the 90 day period the horse is deemed fit for Horse Mounted Patrol purposes, donation or payment procedures are followed. If the horse is not fit for the unit’s needs, we will contact the owner and return the horse.
Note: If the horse is not a good fit for the Horse Mounted Patrol Unit, it does not reflect negatively on the horse or owner. The requirements of a Mounted Patrol horse are very specific and some horses are simply better suited to do this particular job, than others.