Meet the Horses
Training
It takes many hours of training to prepare a patrol horse for duty. Beginning in the indoor arena, horses learn to overcome their natural fear of noise, smoke, obstacles and walking across varied terrain. They learn to tolerate flares, gunfire, fireworks and heavy smoke. Crowd control techniques are critical to their training. Pushing against a large rubber ball teaches them how to apply steady pressure to back up a crowd. It can take months of intensive training before a new patrol horse is allowed on the street and can earn their own badge.
On Duty
Mounted patrol officers and their horses are often utilized during searches for missing persons, evidence and suspects in open fields, wooded areas and tough terrain. Officers and their horses are excellent ambassadors for establishing and maintaining positive relations between the community and the police department.
Jack
Valor
Jack
Jack is a 15-year-old solid Appaloosa with no spots! He is 16. 1 hands high and full of attitude.
His partner is Officer Bettin.
Jack is a local Nebraskan and was purchased through a grant from the First Responders Foundation in 2021.
Likes: Loves "nosies" - rubbing his nose.
Dislikes: His "barn mates"
Zane
Valor
Jack
Zane is our 13-year-old pretty Palomino Quarter Horse Gelding. He stands 15.3 hands high from Ashland, NE and has been in the Unit for 5 years.
His partner is Officer Schillerberg.
Zane was donated to the Patrol by the Omaha Police Department in 2017.
Likes: dogs, sunbathing, cuddles, hair brushing, massages and playing soccer.
Dislikes: Zane does not like criminals!
Valor
Valor
Valor
Valor is a 10-year-old gray Quarter Horse Gelding. He stands 15.1 hands high and has been in the Patrol for 4 years.
His partner is Officer Crick.
Valor was donated to the Unit in 2018 by WoodmenLife.
Likes: Dogs, popsicles and ice cream.
Dislikes: Skateboarders
Diesel
Donovan
Donovan
Diesel is the boss of the barn, but sweet as can be! Meet this 15-year-old Percheron/Friesian cross. He stands 17.2 hands high.
His partner is Sgt. Vodicka.
Diesel joined our herd as a donation from the Kansas City Mounted Patrol in January 2020.
Likes: Napping...a lot!
Dislikes: Too much work.
Donovan
Donovan
Donovan
Donovan is named after the founder of the unit - the legend himself - Donovan D. Ketzler! He is an English Shire from Texas and was trained specifically for police work. He is 7 years old and 17.2 hands high.
His partner is Officer Prososki.
Donovan was purchased through a grant from the First Responders Foundation in 2021.
Likes: He actual
Donovan is named after the founder of the unit - the legend himself - Donovan D. Ketzler! He is an English Shire from Texas and was trained specifically for police work. He is 7 years old and 17.2 hands high.
His partner is Officer Prososki.
Donovan was purchased through a grant from the First Responders Foundation in 2021.
Likes: He actually LOVES running!
Dislikes: Drunk and disorderly people.
Thor
Donovan
Thor
Thor is a 9-year-old Shire Quarter horse standing 17.2 hands high.
His partner is Officer Van Sickle
Thor was purchased through a grant from the First Responders Foundation in 2018.
Likes: Carrots - lots of them - and if he doesn't get enough, he will start kicking his stall to let you know he needs more!
Dumplin
Dumplin
Dumplin
Dumplin is a 15-year-old Belgian cold blood standing 16.2 hands high. She is the only lady in the barn and hails from the peach state of Georgia.
Dumplin's partner is Officer Stickney.
She was purchased with a grant from the First Responders in 2020
Likes: Her sweet tooth loves peppermints!
Dislikes: She hates the cold because she is a southern belle.
Jester
Dumplin
Dumplin
Jester is a 13-year-old Bay Draft cross standing 16.1 hands high.
He was purchased with a grant from the First Responders Foundation in 2022
Likes: Jester loves pets and lots of attention
Dislikes: Being alone is not for him - he likes lots of human and equine company!
Wilson
Dumplin
Wilson
The newest member of the herd, meet Wilson, a 5-year-old Bay Roan Clydesdale Gelding from Canada. Wilson stands 17.2 hands. He is mild mannered which is the perfect personality for a patrol horse!
He was purchased from the Mounted Patrol International in Austin, Texas through a generous grant from the First Responders Foundation.
Likes: Wi
The newest member of the herd, meet Wilson, a 5-year-old Bay Roan Clydesdale Gelding from Canada. Wilson stands 17.2 hands. He is mild mannered which is the perfect personality for a patrol horse!
He was purchased from the Mounted Patrol International in Austin, Texas through a generous grant from the First Responders Foundation.
Likes: Wilson is a gentle soul and likes pets.
Dislikes: Having his feet trimmed.