Lancaster city police Officer Mike Corso patrols North Queen Street on Zeke in April.
By BERNARD HARRIS
Lancaster
Updated Aug 21, 2009 11:18
Lancaster City Police are mourning the loss of a colleague.
Zeke, a Clydesdale-Thoroughbred mix horse that had been a part of the city police Mounted Patrol Unit for more than 10 years, died earlier this month.
"Zeke was a pretty cool horse," said Police Chief Keith Sadler, who has ridden the unit's horses since coming to Lancaster last year.
"He was extremely well-trained. A total, sturdy police horse," Sadler said.
Sturdy and steady are what police officers look for in horses.
Mounted Patrol horses must be comfortable in an urban setting: around children, in crowds and unshaken by loud noises, such as sirens, Sadler said.
"You've got know that horse is not going to panic," he said.
The horses serve as goodwill ambassadors for the police, but also serve an important role in police work.
They are employed for crowd control because they place the officer above crowds and vehicles.
The police are looking for such a horse to replace Zeke, Sadler said.
The chief said it is difficult to say how much it will cost to replace Zeke.
Sometimes horse owners are willing to sell a horse to the city at a reduced price because they wish to support the Mounted Patrol, he said.
After a horse is acquired, it must undergo extensive training. Officer Mike Corso is a nationally certified instructor, Sadler said.
Police horses are usually trained to work with a specific officer, similar to the way police dogs are trained.
"It's like a child," the chief said. "Nobody knows a child better than a parent. It's really the same thing with a horse."
The horse and rider become attuned to each other, he said.
Training can vary from several weeks to several months, depending on how quickly the horse learns and adapts, Sadler said.
The four horses of the Mounted Unit are supported by private donations through the non-profit Lancaster City Police Foundation.
While the unit's police officers' salaries are paid from the city budget, all other expenses for the Mounted Patrol's four horses — including feed, equipment and veterinary care — are funded through donations.
Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution to the foundation can mail a check to Lancaster City Police Foundation, P.O. Box 10171, Lancaster, PA 17605.
