THE HORSES OF MADISON POLICE MOUNTED PATROL
"Beau" is bay colored Missouri Fox Trotter born in 2000. His ancestors were bred in the Ozarks where they needed a durable, sure-footed horse to ride in the rocky terrain. These horses are gaited horses known for their “fox trot” described as walking with the front feet and trotting with the hind. He has been on the job since 2007. When not looking for bad guys, he enjoys looking for treats! Beau is the last officer owned horse on the unit and is ridden by Officer Sarah McLaughlin.
PONY TALES
How do horses help police in crowds?
With an officer positioned high over a crowd guiding a horse into the fray, people start to pay attention and stop bad behavior. Mounted officers are highly visible and see trouble forming quicker than an officer on the ground.
Therefore, officers on horseback, with their heightened view, can communicate with ground troops to tell them where the problem is. Violent and unruly people are quickly brought to cooperation when gently sandwiched between two horses- making the use of tasers or human-to-human physical force less necessary.
A horse can chase down suspects faster than a human and go more places in both urban and park environments than a squad car. Professionals estimate that an officer on horseback is equal to 10 officers on foot when working in crowd situations.
Why are horses so effective in developing relationships between people and officers?
Some people, because of experiences or life situations, just don’t trust the police. Often police contact is initiated by violence or a crime that has been committed. Because of this, some people might be afraid to talk to the police or simply lack the confidence to come to us. Horses are rare in today’s city environment and can provide the opportunity to start a conversation between an officer and a citizen. This can start a relationship that can be helpful for everyone in the future. Getting a chance to pet the soft coat of a calm horse can be a real treat. As the old saying goes, “There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man,” still holds true today.
KANDOUR 1999-2010
IN LOVING MEMORY...
The Madison Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its' own. Kandour was known as the gentle giant of the Madison Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit. The 11-year old Percheron draft horse died quietly at the UW's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Kandour was struggling with medical issues for the past few months. Neurological complications worsened significantly and when Kandour was transported to the veterinary hospital he was having difficulty standing. Kandour was supported in a sling while additional diagnostic testing and a neurologic evaluation could be done. His condition was judged to be grave and, without the support of a sling, he was considered to be a danger to himself and his caregivers.
Kandour joined the mounted unit in January of 2010. His size and demeanor made an impact on everyone who encountered him. Kandour was given the honor at this year’s Midwest Horse Fair of carrying the American flag- something no City of Madison Police horse has done since it re-started the program in 2007. He stood valiant and brave at Rhythm and Booms and Elver Park fireworks displays and met the challenge of the Mifflin Street block party in stride. Most importantly, he has taught us a lot about the type of horse we would like on our unit- Kandour made many friends by his gentle and calm nature and our unit has suffered a huge loss in his passing.
Kandour was everyone's horse, but Kandour's primary rider, Officer Ken Mulry, along with the dedicated staff of the Horse First Farm, had the difficult task of caring for Kandour everyday and seeing him lose his battle. Kandour was owned by Jim Schultz of Black Earth, WI who generously donated Kandour's use to the Department. Jim, Kandour's fellow officers, command staff and the caring staff of the UW Veterinary Equine clinic saw him to a better place on Wednesday, November 4th, 2010. We would like to thank the doctors of Irongate Equine Clinic- Dr. Howard Ketover and Dr. Lisa Nesson, and the great staff at the UW-Veterinary Equine Clinic for their dedication to this noble public servant. He will never be forgotten....
Retired MPD Police Mounts... "Thank You" to our noble public servants and partners who helped us get to where we are today!
"MACK" 2003 Quarter Horse 15.3 HH
"Mack" served MPD from 2009-2010. He was the second department owned horse... When the unit moved towards a draft-based breed of police horse, Mack was purchased by Jackie Curry-Folley of Darlington, WI. Jackie was next in line to buy Mack back in 2009 if he hadn't made the unit! Mack will spend retirement as a family trail horse. We wish Mack and
Jackie well!
"XANDER" 1999 Missouri Fox Trotter 15.1 HH
In 2008, "Xander" was generously donated by the Lusk family of Tony, WI and was the first department owned horse! When the unit moved forward with draft-based breeds, Xander was retired and subsequently purchased by his most current rider on the unit, Officer Matt Kenny. Matt enjoys trail riding in his spare time and plans on keeping Xander with his police buddies at The Horse First Farm! Congratulations Matt on becoming a horse owner!
"MISSY" 1981 Quarter Horse 14.3 HH
"Missy" helped resurrect the Unit in 2007. Before Missy became an officer, she was a retired speed horse! She was generously leased free of charge to the Unit by Kathy and Pat Petrie of Sun Prairie, WI. Missy retired in 2008 and moved on to become a family 4-H horse!
"HAWK" 2002 Quarter Horse 16.0 HH
"Hawk" was owned and ridden by Captain Jill Klubertanz and retired when she did in 2009. "Hawk" won his first competition in an ACTHA Competitive Trail Ride in 2010. He now enjoys the life of being a family trail horse! If there are "bad guys" on the trail, "Hawk" will find them!
HELLO!
My temporary name is “Luna”. I am looking for a sponsor to give me my official police name! I am a Percheron mare born in 2005. I am about 16.3 HH tall and weigh over 1,800 lbs! Being loved and adored is my specialty...
I give kisses to everyone I meet!
HELLO!
My temporary name is “Bubba”. I am looking for a sponsor to give me my official police name! I am a Percheron/Clydesdale gelding born in 2002. I am 18.1 HH and weigh about 2,000 lbs! I am a big, “goofy kid” and love to play basketball!
HELLO!
My temporary name is “Jack”. I am looking for a sponsor to give me my official police name! I am a Percheron gelding born in 2002. I weigh about 1,900 lbs and am 17.0 HH tall! I am as lovable as a teddy bear and my gentle expression shows that. I will do anything for treats!
HELLO!
My temporary name is “Scarlett”. I am looking for a sponsor to give me my official police name! I am a Percheron/Friesian mare born in 2005. I weigh about 1,800 lbs and am 17.1 HH tall! I am brand new and excited to start my new job as a police horse!
"Artex"
Artex joined the Madison Police Department in 2008. He is a Morgan Friesian cross born in 2001 and is owned by Officer Cherne. Artex has been in service for the past 4 mounted patrol seasons and has recently been retired from the Unit. Artex was one of two officer-owned horses remaining on the unit. In 2007 when the Unit was resurrected, you had to own or have access to an appropriate mount. Now, the Department is transitioning to owning all the mounts in the program which means officer owned horses are slowly being phased out. It is with mixed emotions that Officer Cherne “gives up” Artex as her police partner but having Department owned mounts shows wonderful progress in the development of our Mounted Patrol Unit!
Officer Cherne will never part with Artex as a personal mount and looks forward to having many positive off-duty experiences with him in the coming years. His police training and his partnership with Officer Cherne has turned him into a solid trail-mount and best friend!
THANK YOU Artex on your service for the
Madison Police Department!
A Tribute to Retired Police Mount "Artex"
