The Metropolitan Police Force’s mounted branch is looking for loan horses to help teach officers to ride.
The horses will be involved in helping prepare officers for their roles in the London 2012 Olympics but will not play any sort of operational policing role.
Two 16-week equitation courses are due to start at the end of the month and extra horses are needed.
“We need more horses to help us train the additional mounted officers that will be needed in the lead up to and during the Olympics,” said Inspector Danny Butler of the Met’s mounted training establishment at Imber Court in Surrey.
“Loaning will allow our fully-trained horses to remain operational rather than being returned back into the training centre.”
The horses must pass veterinary and temperament assessments. The police will pay their keep and all other associated costs while they are on loan.
Ideally the horses should stand at least 16hh with a quiet and calm temperament. They must six years or older and be able to walk, trot and canter and be capable of jumping a course of fences of at least 1m.
Anyone who is interested in helping, or requires further information, should contact Danny Butler on 0208 247 5454 or email: danny.butler@met.police.uk
This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (13 October, 2011)
