Horse Jobs: A Look at the Horses of the El Paso County Mounted Patrol

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Job Requirement: Nerves of Steel, Friendly Disposition, Athletic Prowess

Whether a fence dispute amidst the arid, rocky acres of this southeastern Colorado county, or working among throngs of rambunctious parade-goers, the horses behind the mounted patrol of El Paso County must  tolerate days of endurance training, noisy crowds, conflict management, and community outreach.

Horse Jobs: The El Paso County Mounted Patrol requires Nerves of Steel Friendly Disposition Athletic Prowess
Photo Credit: Colorado Horse Source
Horse Jobs: The El Paso County Mounted Patrol requires Nerves of Steel Friendly Disposition Athletic Prowess
Photo Credit: Colorado Horse Source

The Colorado Horse Source spent a day with Mark Meyer, Rural Enforcement & Outreach SRO/Mounted Unit of the Mounted Patrol, and learned of the careful selection process for these important horses, along with the specialized training they receive.

According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office website, the Rural Enforcement & Outreach Unit (REO), “was created to support the Patrol and Investigations Divisions to increase services provided to the community by offering enhanced law enforcement response to the large expanses of eastern El Paso County.” Providing law enforcement support from atop a horse allows for many advantages, as well as requiring special demands on the mounts.

Horse Jobs: The El Paso County Mounted Patrol requires Nerves of Steel Friendly Disposition Athletic Prowess
Photo Credit: Colorado Horse Source

Patrolling by horseback allows deputies to cover more ground than on foot, and also access rural areas unreachable by vehicle. This requires horses with stamina and fitness, as well as handling skills by the deputy. The deputy-equine pairs are also especially effective at crowd control, with a vantage point above the activity. And when a dispute, altercation, or a simple need of building community arises, these gentle creatures have a special way of breaking down barriers, settling high emotions, and eliciting human kindness.

As prey animals, horses are by nature not inclined to withstand conflict, excessive noise, or proximity to combative energy. Thus, extensive training is key, including noise and crowd acclimation.

On a recent windy day at Falcon High School, seven unit horses participated in a riotous marching band practice, with extra drums and cymbals. The newer horses seemed skeptical, but the more seasoned mounts recognized the drill, and helped “pony” the others. The high school band director conducted drills building volume from soft to off-the-scale, and REO handlers worked circling the horses around the musical group, in a desensitizing measure.

Horse Jobs: The El Paso County Mounted Patrol requires Nerves of Steel Friendly Disposition Athletic Prowess
Photo Credit: Colorado Horse Source

As would be expected, human bonds with these horses are strong and lasting. In 2020, 23-year-old gelding Hercules was retired from mounted service, after serving 17 years in the unit. The longest tenured mounted horse in the El Paso County unit, a partner like Hercules strengthens community bonds unattainable in other ways.

For more information on the Mounted Patrol, visit their web site at https://www.epcsheriffsoffice.com/sections-law-enforcement-bureau/special-operations-division/rural-enforcement-outreach-unit.

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