Height wise and bomb proof to me they sound like the perfect horse for me when it comes to me buying but are they a common thing?
Are ex-Police horses for sale common?
- Thread starter MrsR
- Start date
I would think that ex-police horses get pensioned off to a nice horse retirement home, rather than being sold off, especially if they have proved a worthy addition to the force.
Perhaps they sell off early trial ones, who can't cut the mustard in terms of safety and trustworthiness, but I think they put in years of training anyway, so that would be rare.....
Perhaps they sell off early trial ones, who can't cut the mustard in terms of safety and trustworthiness, but I think they put in years of training anyway, so that would be rare.....
I think they generally go from working with the police to retirement - I believe they generally retire them reasonably young, before they are physically worn out (19, early 20's) as they have worked hard. I've never seen one for sale, but have met several at different horse charities that have been retired but are still healthy. There are few police horses left, most forces have given them up due to cut backs- we do have a few left in Thames Valley, I have met some of them as I used to work in an office that looked over their yard and my ex was in the force so I could visit 
I thought they might just be retired but wasn't 101% I have seen 2 in Nottingham and 2 in Mansfield - beautiful sight to see.
Generally no, because a good police horse is worth it's weight in gold they are worked until they no longer can happily do so.. at which point they are really ready for retirement
(my YO used to be a mounted police officer and I'm sure I've asked him this at some point
)
(my YO used to be a mounted police officer and I'm sure I've asked him this at some point
)
I've only ever seen ones that didn't quite make it - and they were both very spooky.
One thing I will say is that if it's a happy hacker you are after then there are plenty of other options but to be fair you may change your mind on the type of horse you want as your riding develops.
I'd originally said I wanted a bombpoof plod but now that my riding has come on that is the opposite of what I'm after!
I'm looking to buy now and everyones advice to me has been to try as many different types of horses as possible to give myself a good idea of what's out there. I've also been told that I'll probably come back with the complete opposite of what I originally set out to buy!
One thing I will say is that if it's a happy hacker you are after then there are plenty of other options but to be fair you may change your mind on the type of horse you want as your riding develops.
I'd originally said I wanted a bombpoof plod but now that my riding has come on that is the opposite of what I'm after!
I'm looking to buy now and everyones advice to me has been to try as many different types of horses as possible to give myself a good idea of what's out there. I've also been told that I'll probably come back with the complete opposite of what I originally set out to buy!
They come past my office every day The funniest thing is when they ride through the underpasses under the grid roads, and the policemen have to duck right down by their horses' necks to avoid getting a clonk on the head.
The funniest thing is when they ride through the underpasses under the grid roads, and the policemen have to duck right down by their horses' necks to avoid getting a clonk on the head.
When I was younger I wanted a TB but as I've got old Im more safety concious - hey maybe it will change like you said as I always wanted a long tight wedding dress and when it came to trying them on I went for totally the opposite so you may be right!
Hmmmmmm comparing wedding dresses to horses - maybe I've had too much caffine!
They come past my office every day
How wonderful that you get to see them every day.
I worked by a brewery in Tadcaster years ago and saw the Shires every day - made me smile no matter how bad my day was
JOJOBA
Fluffy Bunny, apparently
There used to be a massive waiting list for them, and by the time you got one they were old and had worked very hard so couldnt do much.
Now I think they just get retired.
xxx
Now I think they just get retired.
xxx
When I was about 12 my non-horsey dad arrange for me to visit the Police stables at Woodgreen near his office in London. I was allowed to sit on one of the horses bareback (He was HUGE) and they gave me one of the fabric mounted police badges (like they have on their uniforms) that I got my mum to sew onto my rugby shirt!!!
Errr, that's it really, felt very cool to be going into a police station AND seeing horses in the middle of london!!
Errr, that's it really, felt very cool to be going into a police station AND seeing horses in the middle of london!!
Wish they did come up would have grabbed one.
No they retire them to nice retirement home when they finish their working lives.
Only ones that end up for sale are the ones that have not quite made the grade.
I know in Bristol they have a Police Horse that is being funded by a local Newspaper at the moment and is very much in the public eye following his progress etc. However, I know they are having all sorts of problems with him and apparently he can be quite unpredictable but they are keeping on working with him because of him being in the public eye etc.
No they retire them to nice retirement home when they finish their working lives.
Only ones that end up for sale are the ones that have not quite made the grade.
I know in Bristol they have a Police Horse that is being funded by a local Newspaper at the moment and is very much in the public eye following his progress etc. However, I know they are having all sorts of problems with him and apparently he can be quite unpredictable but they are keeping on working with him because of him being in the public eye etc.
I was in the Met Police and there was a waiting list for those that didn't make the grade. They do get horses that just can't take the training - I wouldn't describe them as 'spooky' in general terms, they just couldn't take the full on 'flag waving/explosive noises/having tennis balls thrown at them in training etc. However you could be waiting a couple of years on the list as a lot of people want them. I don't think you had to wait too long for one that needed proper retirement as a companion.
They generally look for full Irish Draughts or a lot of ID blood so you could go for that type of horse. I have an ID mare and I always thought she'd make a great police horse. I had her from a 5 year old just broken and she was/is safe as anything. They are generally a really sensible type, not spooky but really good fun and can they jump!! Mine has drag hunted, team chased, SJ'd, XC'd, dressage and even been a medieval horse at the Royal Show. And you could still let a beginner or a kid ride her.
They generally look for full Irish Draughts or a lot of ID blood so you could go for that type of horse. I have an ID mare and I always thought she'd make a great police horse. I had her from a 5 year old just broken and she was/is safe as anything. They are generally a really sensible type, not spooky but really good fun and can they jump!! Mine has drag hunted, team chased, SJ'd, XC'd, dressage and even been a medieval horse at the Royal Show. And you could still let a beginner or a kid ride her.
im my experience the ones that have worked hard are generally just retired, however the ones that dont make the "grade" for one reason or another are often re-homed but i think there is a waiting list - these horses are often very good horses and are perfect for all round horses etc and should not be over looked just cos they didnt pass as a police horse
Lindsay
x
Lindsay
x
I was in the Met Police and there was a waiting list for those that didn't make the grade. They do get horses that just can't take the training - I wouldn't describe them as 'spooky' in general terms, they just couldn't take the full on 'flag waving/explosive noises/having tennis balls thrown at them in training etc. However you could be waiting a couple of years on the list as a lot of people want them. I don't think you had to wait too long for one that needed proper retirement as a companion.
They generally look for full Irish Draughts or a lot of ID blood so you could go for that type of horse. I have an ID mare and I always thought she'd make a great police horse. I had her from a 5 year old just broken and she was/is safe as anything. They are generally a really sensible type, not spooky but really good fun and can they jump!! Mine has drag hunted, team chased, SJ'd, XC'd, dressage and even been a medieval horse at the Royal Show. And you could still let a beginner or a kid ride her.
Thanks for that x
Sorry didn't mean to imply that all horses that didn't make it are spooky but the 2 that I met definatley were!
P
Pink's lady
Guest
All the ones around here are clysdedale x mostly.
I've met a couple of failed police horses (the retired ones go into strict retirement) and they have all been failed for a serious reason - they don't give up on potentially good police horses easily.
And despite appearences, having ridden a couple, they are NOT easy rides. One tanked off with me and threatened to jump the school fence. The other refused to jump. They are often seen cantering up the road sideways, being strong. They are ridden in double bridles and quite a few of them need it. They only thing they are really good at is standing still and being completely and utterly bomb-proof (which can sometimes mean 'bulshy'). I would definintly not want to take a police horse hunting - I think brakes would be a problem
I've met a couple of failed police horses (the retired ones go into strict retirement) and they have all been failed for a serious reason - they don't give up on potentially good police horses easily.
And despite appearences, having ridden a couple, they are NOT easy rides. One tanked off with me and threatened to jump the school fence. The other refused to jump. They are often seen cantering up the road sideways, being strong. They are ridden in double bridles and quite a few of them need it. They only thing they are really good at is standing still and being completely and utterly bomb-proof (which can sometimes mean 'bulshy'). I would definintly not want to take a police horse hunting - I think brakes would be a problem
it doesnt need to be a police horse to do that! my friends horse does it often and he's a cob!
lindsay
Echo pinks lady on this - some years ago, a friend took on an ex police horse, and he was far from easy! Yes, he'd go past the heaviest of traffic & flapping things, but like pl says, he was often to be seen taking a fancy to cantering off up the road with her! Definitely NOT an easy horse.
P
Pink's lady
Guest
very true, but at 18.1 clydesdale, it's a lot more scary than a cob
For starters a 4ft arena fence is only knee height I was lucky enough to be allowed a shot when they came to our RDA to do a ridden demostration then they stayed afterwards for the police rider to have a play on our ponies They are fun and totally bombproof (unless you throw teddy bears at them
) but not a novices ride and more suited to experience riders wanting to go hunting/eventing. newrider.com