Thames Valley Police launch horse recruitment drive
The force wants another two horses at its expanded stables
Last updated 25th Feb 2024
Thames Valley Police say they intend to expand their mounted section after moving to new stables.
Their previous base could only accommodate eight horses but they're now looking to add two more.
"Our horses are really good at doing high visibility patrolling", explains PC James Metcalf, "and when they do that they're very impactive, because lots of people come and see us."
"They're really good at breaking boundaries of people that wouldn't ordinarily speaks the police so people are coming ask questions about horses, then they pass information about other things that they need to talk about."
"They love to work and they're very focused and they're good at what they do, but likewise they like to be horses as well so when they go out in the field they like to eat grass and muck around like normal horses."
The police are asking us to get in touch if we know of any horses that fit the bill, and have set out some criteria of what they're looking for:
- Between 16.3hh and 18hh
- Mare or gelding
- Between the ages of 4 – 11
- Heavier breed such as a shire cross or Irish draught
- Quiet, level headed horses which are good to shoe, clip and travel in a lorry
- Trainable with good temperament and no vices or behavioural traits
- No medical issues
- Ability to walk, trot and canter and ideally be able to jump a small course of fences
- Will hack alone and in company
- Good in traffic
- Safe in open spaces
All horses chosen have to undergo six-week trial where officers check if they're suitable to patrol the streets of the Thames Valley.
The force says owners can also have the knowledge that their horse will be serving the community, and they can watch their horse on deployments, such as escorting the King up the racecourse at Royal Ascot.