Ex-police horses Captain and Steele retire to Lincolnshire
The pair have a combined 13 years of service with Greater Manchester Police
Last updated 5th Aug 2021
Two ex-Greater Manchester Police horses are starting their retirement in the Lincolnshire countryside.
Captain and Steele have found new homes at Bransby Horses after a combined 13 years of service with officers up north.
Captain is an 18 year old Irish Draught who started work at GMP in 2013. He was on duty during several high profile events through his career, including the Manchester City victory parade and numerous local festivals.
He's moving to Lincolnshire for a well earned break after suffering increasing lameness earlier this year.
Greater Manchester Police Officer Kate Garside said:
“Captain is a gentle natured unassuming quiet horse, who believed in every rider who sat on him. He is the horse that has made many of us mounted officers.
"He really is one of the bravest of police horses to of graced Hough End Stables, and also one of the sweetest.”
His colleague Steele is a 17-year-old Irish Sport who started with GMP in 2010.
Steele also worked during several high profile events and helped patrol the streets of the city after the Manchester Arena bombing.
He's retiring earlier than expected because of problems with his eyesight.
Both have now been reunited at local charity Bransby Horses, which cares for over 300 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules near Lincoln.
The charity also looks after 500 horses and ponies at foster homes. It has more than 160 staff.
Bransby Horses’ External Welfare Manager, Rachel Jenkinson, said:
“We’re very lucky to have them and we hope they enjoy a very long and happy retirement with us at Bransby Horses.”
The pair will live on the charity's Walklands Yard alongside other retired and rescued animals.