# Cops on Horseback **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 2, 2001, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093 "2001-05-02T15:47:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mske](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mske](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mske)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/1 "2001-05-02T15:47:09Z")
Here in Toronto, specifically down by where I work although I am sure that this is true elsewhere in the city, we have police officers still patrolling on horseback. My question is why? It seems to me that the current practice of police officers on bikes would accomplish the same thing (i.e. go places where there are not streets, be accessible to the public). The horsebacked officers wouldn’t be much use in chasing a stolen car, or racing to the scene of the crime. It seems to me, in this era of budget cutbacks and shortfalls that horses would be an expensive nostalgia program to maintain - bicycles must surely be cheaper. So does anyone know why we still have city police riding around on Silver? P.S. You can certainly tell when a patrol has come by - there are frequently large piles of droppings right in front of people’s car doors parked on the street. That is mildy entertaining to watch as the owners come back and try to get in… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Moonshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Moonshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonshine)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/2 "2001-05-02T16:10:27Z")
Judging from the May 1 riots we had here in London yesterday, the police still use horses because they are highly visible and great crowd control, everybody moves out of the way of a horse. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/3 "2001-05-02T16:17:05Z")
Many cities in the U.S. still use police on horseback. They are popular for many reasons. Crowd control-no one wants to be stepped on by a horse. They are also trained to walk sideways and can gently press a crowd back into place. Visability- the officers eye are probably ten feet in the air. Good view from up there. Community relations- most folks like horses and that makes the officer more approachable. In St. Louis the horse patrol is used in Forest park as well as special events such as fairs and street festivals. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/4 "2001-05-02T16:25:06Z")
This month’s Smithsonian has an article on this. There is an intro to the article here: [http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues01/may01/horses.html](http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues01/may01/horses.html) Some bits I remember from the article: Horses intimidate people without aggravating them. Mounted police officers remember people during the '60s riots shouting “Don’t hurt the horses!” A police officer on can see a lot farther than one in a car or on a bike. People like horses - it’s good PR for the police. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/5 "2001-05-02T16:25:08Z")
Not to mention being on horseback gives the officer a higher vantage point, being above the crowd and able to scan a larger area for potential problems. The bike officer would be on the same level as the crowd, with much os his/her vision blocked. Also, the horses are great for p.r. - little kids usually love horses, and the mounted patrol (back home) would bring some of the off-duty animals to the State Fair and allow us to pet them. [Dammit, gotta type faster than GaryM next time.] Don’t know if they use light-colored horses in Toronto (Silver) - most of the ones I’ve seen are whaddyacallems - they’re brown with the black stockings. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/6 "2001-05-02T16:52:49Z")
Here in NYC we still have cops on horseback as well. They’re mostly for patrolling high-pedestrian traffic areas. The horse allows the cop to see far into the crowd, and the horse always has the right-of-way in a crowds (whether you want him to or not!) The horses can go most places that people can and cars cannot, and it’s pretty hard to outrun a horse if you’re up to something nefarious. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/7 "2001-05-02T16:55:55Z")
Brown w/ black mane and tail is called “bay” BTW. Many police horses are Morgan or Morgan-cross, and that breed is usually dark colored. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/8 "2001-05-02T17:05:15Z")
I knew one of Metro Toronto’s mounted unit officers. He’s retired now, but I recall asking him the same question. He gave most of the answers cited here already–crowd control, good visibility, horses intimidate but don’t antagonize crowds, good PR for the police–but there was one more: better able to get through Toronto’s extensive parks. For those of you who don’t know, Toronto has a few huge parks, and park chains. They go for miles, usually following river valleys–the Don River system chain is where I’ve seen mounted officers patrolling most often. Some of the valley hills are steep and treacherous (if you know Toronto, think of Sunnybrook Park, Seton Park, and the valley leading from Seton into Edwards Gardens), and a bike would be a hindrance. A horse can just walk up and along the hillside, in most cases. Now, the mounted officers do at times need to cross streets or to go down streets a ways to continue their patrol, so you will see them from time to time on the streets. Kids do love them, and the officers are glad to answer questions and let people meet the horse. The horses do have to “go” at times, however, and motorists can be surprised at what is left in the road. No, the horses aren’t generally light-coloured, or look like the Lone Ranger’s “Silver.” IIRC, the breed of horse that my friend rode was a Hanover, and was brown. (Not sure if I recall the breed correctly, though.) Anyway, based on the police horses I’ve seen in Toronto, and my friend’s photos of the mounted unit, the horses are generally bay/brown/black. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/9 "2001-05-02T21:07:19Z")
Spoons – Hanoverian, probably. You were close. A very popular breed right now. ---
**Author:** ![mske](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mske](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mske)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/10 "2001-05-02T21:14:32Z")
Ah. Crowd control. Makes sense. I only see them individually going up and down the streets, but I can envision their usefulness in a large gathering. Thanks for the info. 🙂 I used “Silver” as an example of a horse - the only one I could think of off hand. Hope I didn’t confuse any one. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/11 "2001-05-02T21:26:01Z")
Mounted police were pretty effective at crowd control in recent World Series. I think Philadelphia might have been the first city to use them to keep the crowd off the field after a World Series back in 1980. There was a famous soccer (football) match at Wembley where the only security was one police officer on a horse. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/12 "2001-05-02T22:12:28Z")
A few months back a mounted police officer here in Springfield, Illinois used her horse to sort-of “herd” a drunken reprobate out of the middle of an intersection and off to a sidewalk. Well, the drunken reprobate didn’t take kindly to it, and he punched the horse! Wouldntcha know it, the guy was charged with assault on a police officer! 😃 Justice is sweet sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2001, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/13 "2001-05-03T00:48:26Z")
It’s not a matter that there are “still” mounted patrols, it’s that they’ve been brought back. During the 1960’s with their demonstrations and riots, police departments in the United States discovered that furious crowds can overturn police cars, cars often can’t follow where people can go, and they don’t give a vantage point above the crowds. Mounted patrols were brought back primarially for crowd control - higher seat for the cop, can go most places in a city people can, and it’s a lot harder to turn over a horse than a car because the horse will actively resist being turned upside-down. In Chicago, mounted patrols can be seen in city parks and are also a feature of parades and crowd control. I’ve heard folks say it’s just PR and frills, but I’ve seen mounted officers working an unruly crowd and I’d say it looks like real work. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2001, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/14 "2001-05-03T02:13:16Z")
From the [Toronto Police Mounted Unit](http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/mtd/overview.htm): Re. purpose: > [@](#): > > The primary function of the Mounted Unit today is the management of large crowds. Mounted officers routinely attend major sporting venues, concerts, demonstrations, strikes, parades, street parties and other celebrations and events. > > The secondary function of the Mounted Unit is to provide support services to police divisions. The Mounted Officers will perform a variety of functions that will assist divisions with problem solving initiatives. We do this by providing a highly visible presence in high crime areas or to patrol areas not readily accessible to vehicle or foot patrols. MSKE, I think that their utility is not so much in patrolling the city streets, but since the horses have to be exercised daily, they might as well patrol. Their true utility is pretty easy to see on crowded days at the Ex. Re. type: > [@](#): > > The horses are usually cross bred Commercial Grade Horses, bay, black or chestnut in colour. They will be two to six years of age, 15.3 to 17 hands in height (1 hand = 10.2 cm or 4 in.), and have a soundness and temperament suited to mounted police work. Re.: civillian volunteer riders > [@](#): > > There is a substantial list of civilian volunteers who have qualified and are on the replacement list if one of the twelve positions should become available. > > \*\*Due to this, we are not taking any more applications for these positions. \*\* Let’s face it. More people like horses than police officers. The Mounted Unit has terrific PR value. Hmmm, does this mean that putting an officer on a horse humanizes the impression the officer gives? Although I think very highly of Toronto’s Mounted Unit, Officer Jim’s colouring book [page](http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/mtd/Colouring%20book/page_3.htm) on protecting people leaves me scratching my left wing. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2001, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/15 "2001-05-03T02:28:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mske \* > \*\*. . . It seems to me that the current practice of police officers on bikes would accomplish the same thing. . . . You can certainly tell when a patrol has come by - there are frequently large piles of droppings right in front of people’s car doors parked on the street. . . . \*\* From your city’s [Mounted Unit](http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/mtd/horses/horse_manure.htm): > [@](#): > > The advantage of actually having horse manure visible is that it is a clear indication to all that the mounted patrols are active in the area. The knowledge of the increased police presence may be a deterrent to criminal activity. I believe this answers your question as to why horses rather than cyclists. Cyclist droppings just wouldn’t have the same impact due to the lesser volume, and also would involve the officer having to dismount the bicycle when leaving said calling cards. ---
**Author:** ![mske](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mske](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mske)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2001, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/16 "2001-05-03T11:06:44Z")
From the same [link](http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/mtd/horses/horse_manure.htm) that **Muffin** provided re:Horse Manure: > [@](#): > > If an officer’s horse soils the sidewalk the officer will usually remove the manure themselves at the time or return to remove it later. I find this extremely funny - never seen it happen though. Do the cops carry (big) poop-and-scoop bags as well as a service revolver? 🙂 I also like how they list an “advantage” of having horse poop left on the roads. It implies some disadvantages as well. I work down by the Ex grounds. The patrols sometimes come up the side street by the Canada Bread bakery, east of Dufferin Street. If and when they poop there, it doesn’t dissappear until the next heavy rainstorm. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2001, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/17 "2001-05-03T22:39:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mske \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > If an officer’s horse soils the sidewalk the officer will usually remove the manure themselves at the time or return to remove it later. > > I find this extremely funny - never seen it happen though. Do the cops carry (big) poop-and-scoop bags as well as a service revolver? \*\* Down in J’ville, the horses had manure bags (sortta like equine diapers) slung under their tails. Also: All geldings or mares. None of that fiery stallion stuff for the mounted patrol. It really does ‘humanize’ the officers. JSO puts _really_ big officers in the mounted patrol, no-one less than 6’, most are about 6’4", and heavily muscled. A deputy that big on foot would be pretty scary, but one wearing riding boots is an invite to come meet the horse, and by extention, the deputy. JSO frequently places their mounted patrol at shopping malls: The horses are more manueverable than motorbikes, and and can easily get between cars in the parking lots, where their great height allows officers to see miscreants hiding between autos. ---
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2001, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/18 "2001-05-03T23:36:54Z")
Some of the M1 protestors in Sydney tried to spook the police horses by throwing marbles under their feet and by pouring petrol on the road around them and setting fire to it. In an ironic twist, these imbeciles were dealt with by their fellow protestors before the police even had an opportunity to react. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2001, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-on-horseback/64093/19 "2001-05-04T00:42:14Z")
My dad told me about watching Lincoln Rockwell lead a protest at the showing of (I think) the Anne Frank movie in '59 in Boston. **That** was an unruly crowd. The cops were trying to keep people on the sidewalks, and he said the mounted officers had the horses prancing sideways down the gutter, lifting the fore feet way up. People got **out** of the way. So I vote for the crowd control too.