Why do British police ride horses?

Our officers have an elevated vantage point when saddled up, giving them a wider perspective of an area that an officer on foot might not see. Mounted patrols are often intelligence-led in a counter-terrorism capacity, due to the fact they can provide such a strong, visible presence.

Why do police use horses in the UK?

The added height and visibility that the horses give their riders allows officers to observe a wider area, and it also allows people in the wider area to see the officers, which helps deter crime and helps people find officers when they need them.

Which UK police forces have horses?

How much do police pay for horses?

The Mounted Branch operates at 110 horses across London. The MPS has a total of 142 riding police officers and a budget of £5,558 per horse per annum.

When did the police start using horses?

The use of horses by the police force goes back to the eighteenth century – to the very roots of police work in London. Their history began in 1760 when Sir John Fielding, the Bow Street magistrate, developed a plan for mounted patrols to deal with the plague of highwaymen infesting the metropolitan area's turnpikes.

Military horses run loose in central London, injuring 4 people and causing havoc

What breed of horse do the British police use?

The total budget for the mounted unit was £9,969,736 in 2018. The police horses used are typically either half thoroughbred and half draft breed, or three-quarters thoroughbred and one-quarter draft breed.

Can you buy retired police horses?

Yes, you can! Retired police horses are often available for adoption. It's like giving a seasoned veteran a loving home. But remember, these aren't your average ponies.

Do police horses get injured?

Two police horses have been attacked and injured by a dog while they were out on patrol in west London.

Can police seize horses?

When we are notified that a horse has strayed onto a road, a police patrol will be sent to locate the horse and to get it to a safe location; the safety of the horse is our priority. If local enquires do not identify an owner who can attend and recover their horse, the horse will be seized.

Do police horses get turnout?

- 7 Turnout (4 of which are operational) – all horses have at least 2 weeks turn out every year. - 1 Retirement – older horse being retired.

Why are police horses so big?

Mounted Officers also support communities by both patrolling and being involved in community engagement activities, such as visiting schools or community events. Police Horses are used due to their calm temperament and large stature, which make them perfect for controlling large crowds.

What is the biggest police horse in the UK?

Meet the UK's biggest police horse 🐴 Measuring in at 18.2 hands from the ground to shoulders, Trooper the 10-year-old shire horse is Greater Manchester Police's newest recruit 😮

What is the Scotland Yard in London?

Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police and, by association, a name often used to denote that force. It is located on the River Thames at Victoria Embankment just north of Westminster Bridge in the City of Westminster.

Why do police use police dogs?

Their sense of smell is much more sensitive than us humans, so we use this to our advantage to help us to detect and prevent crime.

How to become a horse riding police officer?

How to get into this career. To progress as a mounted police officer, you will need to join the service and complete your training and a two-year probationary period. Opportunities will then be open to specialise in different roles within the police service of which becoming a mounted officer is one.

How much do mounted police earn?

How much does a Mounted police officer make in London? If we look at the Mounted police officer salary statistics in United Kingdom as of August 13, 2025, the represented employee makes £35,747; to be more precise pay rate is £2,979 per month, £687 per week, or £17.66 per hour.

Do police have to pick up horse poo?

Horses are not dogs. There is no legal obligation for an owner to clean horse poop, whether a police horse or a civilian horse. It's worth noting that horse poop is far less dangerous than dog poop due to the difference in diet and biology.

What happens to ex-police horses?

The Horse Trust look after many of our heroic horses who have served the public, whether working for the police or military. These horses receive no government support once their working lives end, and the charity is fighting to be a safety net for them, and give them the retirement they all deserve.

Do police horses get spooked?

The police horses, calm and competent when working, still spooked when things were unfamiliar, or when they were being ridden by recruits who were less than confident.

Why do police still go on horses?

Crowd control - Even today, a mounted rider can break up a crowd faster than larger number of officers on foot. Patrolling parks and other semi-rural areas - Mounted officers can patrol areas that officers on foot or in a standard police vehicle would experience difficulty entering.

How long do police horses live?

Police horses live the same length of time as other horses, which is anywhere from 25 to 35 though there are exceptions at both ends of that span. Police horses usually work no more than 10 years, so depending on what age they began, they may have a lot of good years remaining.

How effective are police horses?

police horses are good for crowd control, police visibility, and community engagement. they're also vital in search and rescue operations, and accessing areas where motor vehicles cannot (woods, trails, etc).

How old does a horse have to be to be retired?

For some, it's age 55 or 62. For others, it's a milestone—typically 20 or 30 years. It isn't as cut and dry with horses. Neither age nor years under saddle are good predictors of an ideal retirement age, according to veterinarian Reynolds Cowles, founder of Blue Ridge Equine Clinic in Earlysville, Virginia.

How big are police horses?

That is about 1.85 metres or more than 6ft tall. Trooper is a shire horse - a type of breed known for their strength and great size.

What is the best police horse?