Briefing Room

Operations Support

1. GROOMING AND PREPARATION OF HORSES
   1. Grooming the horse
      1. Horses are to be groomed at least once per day every day they are ridden.
      2. Use of grooming brushes and hoof picks.
      3. Grooming means using the brushes not giving the horse a bath.
   2. Hoof preparation
      1. Hoofs will be picked clean every day at both the beginning of the shift and again at the end of the shift.
      2. Hoof dressing and oil will be applied only twice per week unless hoofs are dry and need extra care.
   3. Bathing the horse
      1. Day shift horses will be bathed at the end of their work shift, with the exception of their first day of duty after days off or riders vacation. They will be groomed with brushes the remaining four days of their work week in the morning hours.
      2. Evening shift horses will follow the above routine but may be bathed at the beginning of their shift only if they are extremely dirty.
      3. Bathing the horse is not for the purpose of circumventing the grooming process. It is imperative that horses are brushed every day. Brushing keeps the coat healthy and clean while removing loose hair from a shedding horse.
      4. When the horse is on the wash rack the lead line will be attached to the rings on the wash rack and not left on the ground.

2. Saddling the horse
   1. All tack applied to the horse will be clean and ready for duty. Horses are to be tacked up in either the standing stalls or their own stall. Do not tack up horses in the aisle way of the barn.
      1. Once the horse is tacked up and ready to go don't leave him standing in the standing stalls for long periods of time. Either return the horse to its stall and tie him or load him in the trailer and depart for your assignment.
      2. Use all the equipment you were assigned. This means therapeutic foam pads, double reins, and breast straps are to be used on all horses. Exceptions will be granted for inspection and equitation categories, if desired, at horse shows or police competitions. All of the equipment has been issued for a reason and officers are reminded that the use of it is NOT left up to an officers own personal taste.
   2. Cleaning of tack
      1. All leather tack is to be cleaned and oiled once per week, preferably on the last day of your duty week. You can wipe it off every day with an oily rag.
      2. Bits are to be cleaned as often as necessary. There should be no crud on a bit that is going into a horses mouth.
      3. Black blankets and fleece pieces are to be washed every day they are on a horses back. Brown cover pads can be washed every other day if they are clean enough to be used a second time. This will prolong their life and help keep the color from fading.
      4. Foam pads will be sponged off at least once per week.
   3. Cleaning up after yourself
      1. Officers are expected to clean up after themselves and their horse. This means vehicles, trailers, standing stalls and inside office areas.
      2. Any manure which is cleaned up will be put into muck buckets and disposed of in the dumpster. Do not throw it on the plants or grass as this draws flies which are harmful to horses. It is killing some of the plants as well.

3. Duty Assignments
   1. Duty assignments generally come from District Commanders, Shift Captains, of Captain Grimm.
      1. Schedules are made out one week in advance and posted on the schedule board in the officers area. Check the schedule for your riding assignment on a daily basis.
   2. Special Events / Situations
      1. Special events, holiday duty, parades etc. require a chance of our normal schedule from time to time. Emergency situations also crop up without warning such as demonstrations or crowd control problems. Be prepared to adjust to these demands on short notice.
   3. Time spent in the barn
      1. We are all reminded that we have to be on the horse as much as possible. Simply put this means arrive at work on time, get your horse ready, and leave for your assignment as soon as possible.

         We should be spending about five hours a day on the horse--weather permitting.

4. Loading the horse
   1. Trailer preparation prior to loading.
      1. The trailer should be clean.
      2. Chest bars and butt bars should be in place.
      3. Inside doors should be locked open for front loading horses.
      4. Floor mats should be smooth and flat.
   2. Horses should be lead to the trailer by use of a lead line or rope.
      1. Upon entering the trailer the lead line or rope should be placed over the horses neck to prevent it being stepped on as the horse enters.
      2. Difficult horses may require another officer to assist.
      3. Horses should be lead to the trailer in a straight line of approach.
      4. If unsuccessful the first attempt do not circle the horse and approach the trailer from an angle. Allow the horse a straight shot at entering.
   3. Once the horse is loaded always attached the trailer tie to the horses halter.

      DO NOT TRAILER A HORSE WITH THE TIE LINE UNATTACHED!

5. Disciplining a horse
   1. When to discipline
      1. Horses should be disciplined immediately upon wrong doing so it learns its behavior was not acceptable.
      2. Before you discipline make sure the horse understands what you want it to do.
      3. Learn your horses behavioral problems and prevent it from getting into those situations.
   2. How to discipline
      1. Most horses can be corrected by use of voice commands and told "NO".
      2. Mild checking on the bit.
      3. Use of reins on the neck.
      4. Slapping on the neck should be done as a last resort. This not only looks bad in public, but leads to head shyness on the part of the horse.
   3. Where to discipline
      1. Obvious disciplining a horse in the public is not acceptable. If discipline is necessary then use voice commands or other less obvious methods. Refrain from slapping the horse around in public.
      2. Crops and whips are not to be used in public.
      3. If the horse is having a bad day remove it from the problem area. Notify the supervisor of persistant problems so that they may be corrected with additional training.
      4. Again, know your horses limitations and don't put yourself in a bad position in the publics eye by making the horse do something he does not want to or like to do.
      5. USE PATIENCE and reward your horse when he does good. Do not let yourself get into a win or lose situation.

6. Summary
   1. Visibility of Mounted Officers
      1. Mounted officers are always in the publics eye.
      2. People watch you when you are handling your horse and your actions give either a good or bad impression.
   2. Image
      1. The image you project reflects on not only yourself but the unit as well.

Briefing Room

Operations Support