Titan, the largest police horse in the UK, will spend six months at The Horse Trust sanctuary in Speen, Buckinghamshire, to try to shake off a prolonged spell of intermittent lameness caused by ringbone.
The16-year-old 18.3hh Shire-cross (pictured centre right), who weighs more than a tonne, has been working for the Thames Valley Police for the past nine years, carrying out vital duties across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
If Titan’s condition does not improve after six months, he will spend a well-earned retirement at The Horse Trust.
PC Tim Pollock, who has ridden Titan for six years, said: “Titan is one of our top horses; he is very loyal and brave in all situations. Despite his size he is incredibly sure-footed. It was like he was made to be a police horse.”
Titan has been involved in a wide variety of police work during his time with the Thames Valley Police, including regular crowd control for Wycombe Wanderers and Reading football clubs, providing a police escort for the Queen at Royal Ascot and night club patrols in various town centres.
Shirley Abbott, yard manager at The Horse Trust, said: “Titan settled in straight away in his paddock. The staff have already fallen in love with him as he’s such a handsome and impressive chap.”
