Training and Teamwork
Training
Patrol horses undergo many hours of specialized training to prepare for duty. Training begins in an indoor arena, where horses gradually learn to overcome their natural fear of loud noises, smoke, obstacles, and unfamiliar terrain. They are carefully desensitized to challenging situations such as flares, gunfire, fireworks, and heavy smoke.
Crowd control is a critical part of their preparation. Horses practice pushing against a large rubber ball, which helps teach them how to apply steady, controlled pressure when moving a crowd back.
It can take several months of intensive training before a new patrol horse is ready to work on the street and earn its badge.
On Duty
Mounted patrol officers and their horses are often utilized in searches for missing persons, evidence, and suspects in open fields, wooded areas, and other difficult terrain. Their mobility and elevated vantage point allow officers to cover large areas more effectively than officers on foot.
Mounted officers and their horses also serve as excellent ambassadors for the department, helping build and maintain positive relationships between the police department and the community.
Diesel
Donovan
Donovan
Diesel is the boss of the barn, but sweet as can be! Meet this 16-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 9 years old and 17.2 hands high.
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 10-year-old Belgian Thoroughbred horse standing 17.2 hands high.
Thor was purchased through a grant from the First Responders Foundation in 2018.
Likes: Running, toys, playing in water and CARROTS!
Dislikes: Green apples
Zane
Dumplin
Valor
Zane is our 15-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.
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
Dumplin
Valor
Valor is a 12-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
Dumplin
Dumplin
Dumplin
Dumplin is a 16-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.
Wilson
The newest member of the herd, meet Wilson, a 6-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 6-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.