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130 Years of Baltimore’s Finest 4-Legged Unit, continued...


dispel a rowdy crowd, mentally


strong


enough to handle the noisy, busy city streets, and also have a pleas- ing,


friendly person-


ality to allow school children and the gen- eral public to interact with it.


Historically, the


Many of the horses in the Unit are purchased by donations from vari- ous sponsors such as Slurpee, purchased with the help of 7-11.


City Mounted Police was his dream job and he turned down several promotions within the de- partment as he waited for the position to open up. Although Sgt. Robar did not grow up in a horsey household, he was exposed to horses at an early age through his grandparents, who worked at several top racing stables including Sagamore Farm.


The Horses


T e Unit is allowed up to 10 horses with each horse going through a 60-day trial period be- fore offi cially joining the Unit. Sgt. Robar ex- plained that even though they have 60-days, it typically becomes apparent within the fi rst two weeks if the horse is suitable for the Unit. “It’s all about how they settle themselves when they get upset by a situation,” he said, adding, “T e good ones settle quickly, learn and then move on in their training.” T e modern day police horse is certainly a unique horse. It must be imposing enough to


Unit, like many oth- ers across the U.S., was primarily made up of T oroughbreds because of easy acces- sibility and low pur- chase prices. T e Unit now uses draft horses only, due to their easy-


going mindset. “T ey handle the emotions of a heated situation much better,” said Sgt. Robar. T is laid back temperament makes them great teachers too, as most of the offi cers in the Unit have never ridden before joining. More recent- ly, Sgt. Robar said the Unit prefers Belgian and Percheron horses as they have found they work best for this type of job. Most of the Unit’s horses come from Last Chance Rescue in Pennsylvania. T e horses can also return there when they are ready for re- tirement. Other horses have come from Amish farmers that the Unit has good relations with, such as Jerry Stoltsfus. Stoltsfus trains his hors- es for driving and farm work, which familiar- izes them with people and desensitizes them to distractions. Many of these horses have worked well for the Unit. T e horses are often purchased through cor- porate donations, such as the horse “Slurpee” who was acquired thanks to a donation from


7-11 through its Baltimore City franchises. 7-11 had purchased another horse they named Slurpee several years ago. T e new Slurpee was donated to the Unit last year.


Retirement


T ere is no set age of retirement for the horses as it really depends on how they hold up men- tally and physically to the job of being a police horse. Some of the horses stay on the force even as they age, such as Blair, who is 19 and still going strong. Blair is happy and healthy and absolutely loves his job. T e horses receive top-notch veterinary care and Sgt. Robar is in constant communication continued...


“There are special horses and then there are ‘extra special’ horses. Barney, he is one of those extra special horses.” - Sgt. Ro- bar said about retired police horse Offi cer Barney who now lives at Days End Farm in Woodbine as an equine ambassador.


28 | THE EQUIERY | NOVEMBER 2018


800-244-9580 | www.equiery.com


918701-181118


Anne Litz


Tracy McKenna


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