We are fortunate to be the caretakers of so many amazing horses who serve our city. The horses themselves are officers just like their human counterparts and have their own badges.
It is not easy becoming a patrol horse, it takes many hours of training to prepare them for their duty. Training begins in the indoor arena where they must learn to overcome their natural fear of noise, smoke and obstacles as well as walking across varied terrain. They learn to tolerate flares, gunfire, fireworks and heavy smoke. Crowd control techniques are taught by pushing against a large rubber ball to learn applying steady pressure to back up a crowd.
It can take months of intensive training before a new patrol horse is allowed on the street.
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 Potts.
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 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 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 Insurance.
Likes: Dogs, popsicles and ice cream.
Dislikes: Skateboarders
Diesel is the boss of the barn, but sweet as can be! Meet this 14 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.
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.
Thor is a 9 year old Shire Quarter horse standing 17.2 hands high.
His partner is Officer Marc 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 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 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!
The newest member of the herd, meet Wilson, a 4-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.