Four horses from the recently disbanded Cleveland Mounted Police Unit have moved to a new home at The Horse Trust, a Buckinghamshire-based charity.
Cleveland Police announced in June it would be disbanding its mounted section in a bid to save £88,000 a year.
Chief constable Jacqui Cheer said the decision to disband the section was “one of the hardest” she had ever made. She pledged to find the horses “safe and caring” new homes.
Cleveland Police approached The Horse Trust, who specialise in providing respite and retirement for working horses who have served their country.
Jeanette Allen, of The Horse Trust said:”We are pleased to have been able to help and provide a specialist home for these brave and hardworking horses.”
It was a sad day for the region as the section’s officers, grooms and volunteers accompanied the horses on the 250-mile drive to their new home.
But as they said goodbye to the four horses Reg, Alfie, Roman and Joey, the officers were delighted to be reunited with Big Klyde, who retired to The Horse Trust in July 2012.
PC Chris Bancroft said: “I am over the moon the horses have come here. The Horse Trust is a true working horse’s utopia.”
The mounted section was much-loved by their local community and a campaign to save Cleveland’s police horses gained thousands of supporters. Despite their valiant efforts, the campaigners were unable to raise the £521,000 annual costs needed to save the section.
For more information visit: www.horsetrust.org.uk/helping-the-trust/police-horses/.
