Inside UK's Mounted Police Unit

Sgt Craig Richards takes us behind the scenes at the Metropolitan Police Mounted branch in Imber Court, London. Hosted by Amy Stevenson, see the officers as they train for the Activity Ride, jump through fire, ride bareback and take a tour through the stables of Imber Court. #HorseHour
Credits: Wally Wallis Media

[@dinganddoo2]

Much better program than in the US. At least the horses and riders are matched height and weight wise...

[@rw3205]

that's because our officers are required to do fitness training every 12 months unlike the US that just hands them guns and let's them eat shit

[@horsegirl07]

r w yea that’s it.... 🙄

[@maioliver]

I live in the US. And I feel the same way

[@donnakerr4997]

@@maioliver that’s because the Brits,in general,have a better affinity with horses.

[@princelancahoof7353]

@@donnakerr4997 We do indeed. The yanks are all perceived as western riders with those cowboy hats, which is not true. I think US riders are underrated tbh. I am a brit, but I will stand with the good old US

[@ameliacameronclake758]

They are all such lovely people and horses ! When I was in the Olympia finale with my pony in 2017 we met all of the officers and horses ! They were all so so so lovely ! X

[@taxisteve929]

Nice video!! Thanks for posting. I actually started looking for something on the history of the NYC Mounted police, but found nothing. Getting the horses used to fire must take time, and not a normal approach. With things like paper bags, we would normally let the horse walk up to the bag or whatever is spooking him, and let him sniff it, touch it with his nose etc and over time, he sees it won't hurt him, but you can't do that with fire!!

[@princelancahoof7353]

This is the UK tho. Not NYC

[@TildaMaeFrancis]

I have wanted to be in the mounted unit Since I was 8 and went to Olympia and I am now doing gcse and hope to get into a police collage and start my journey from there xx

[@whosnext6533]

Good luck! Hope you're managing to achieve your dream! It's also mine! I'm doing my A-levels next year.

[@TheGypsyVanners]

Appreciate the video.

[@artemis5300]

I would love to be in the mounted police when in older

[@Ps-tc9ko]

I love this, we need Mounted Police for lots of reasons. They are so well trained yet naturally they are a flight animal would you believe. They actually like the work they do just like humans. We do exercise, work and reward ourselves with liquid, food and family time usually. It's not a complicated science. Love them 😊

[@puppetmasterblaster]

horses and cops stink, and so do u

[@josephmarino4069]

Well God bless you with the horses I used to work with Ray sauces something down God bless you with the horses really😉😉

[@evelynhenry6297]

So very informative, Thank You!

[@ciaranoshea9596]

Hardly top secret given that there's information about it all over the internet, and the fact the Sergeant said where you were.

[@HorseHour]

Was a slightly tongue in cheek comment

[@noahman27]

Fascinating. (excellent video as well).

[@malumadi5534]

Very nice video. I'm kinda surprised how different this is from the mounted police I Germany. I love to see those differences

[@internetenjoyer1044]

how is it different?

[@stripeyhorsestudios7800]

From an experienced rider, I was just wondering why the mounted branch rife without a saddle pad/numnah? Is it due to to a safety precaution, like getting caught on fire etc.?

[@ThemeaningofMahli]

in the clips they were practising their display ride and part of the display involves them removing the saddle. they usually wear a saddle pad on duty!!

[@spookydawndew7789]

Stripeyhorse studios This training centre is based in London as they said. London holds a massive show called Olympia which the video showed clips from. They were practicing for that performance and during the show they must remove tack including saddles etc so they don’t wear saddle pads to make it easier :D hope this helped. If you search in on KZbin ‘Olympia police horse show’ and there should be a variety of videos for you! 💗

[@stripeyhorsestudios7800]

Scarlett Palmer Ik. I don't know why I didn't think of that when I wrote this😂I've watched the show 3 times!😂😂thank you anyway though xx

[@HorseHour]

Yes its for safety and because this particular crew are their display team and they take off the saddles during the show

[@sanniepstein1007]

Show the horses! Your audience wants 5% of the video to focus on people talking, at most.

[@HorseHour]

Hi Sanni, thanks for the feedback, this is a podcast so most of it is talking rather than visual, but we'll bare that in mind and try to get more footage of the horses for you.

[@evieproctor8713]

Well not really people look at this for information on the mounted police force

[@pamplant3610]

This might be a podcast, but you really did need more video of the horses. While interesting, this video was somewhat boring because of all the talking. Sorry. Also, there are mounted police that work with the horse guards on a daily basis which would be just as educational as what this video has been.

[@myplant-kosar6468]

Hi I would love to know how to join the mounted police and what requirements are needed.

[@HorseHour]

Thanks for commenting @piggie_planet13, you will need to be a regular police officer to start, then they will be able to advise you on the best channels to apply to become a mounted officer. Best wishes #HorseHour

[@rosegray3261]

MyPlant-Kosar 3

[@mazymay6911]

regular police training is required

[@alistairyoung9831]

Hello. My name is Alistair Young. I am a teacher from Bradford. I am creating an educational video for young people teaching them about the importance of respecting and appreciating our amazing emergency services and their sacrifices every day. Please can I use some of this footage in my video with appropriate crediting of course? Thanks so much

[@megt237]

How long do you have to be an officer before you can apply for the mounted police?

[@connorwebb1234]

Megan Townley you have to apply, then you go through a probationary period that lasts 2 years then you get to choose the divisions you want to go into, but that's only if there's places on that division.

[@connorwebb1234]

Sorry was meant to say you have to apply for the police then do a 2 year probationary period*

[@megt237]

connorwebb1234 okay thank you!

[@tamhammell3314]

Meg T 3 years

[@michaelclear2513]

do you sell the #horsehour sweatshirts?

[@dannyphantom3333]

Are there any in victorville ca

[@colinsmith6116]

Having been a police officer for 42 years in London and Australia, I have to say that the police mounted police is an absolute disgraceful waste of money, time and resources. In all they do NO policing at all. They are totally useless for anything. They are in almost every instance unable to make an arrest, they have to worry about keeping hold of their horse NOT the criminal, so they have to them go. Mounted Police are off the ground, so they cannot take hold of prisoners. It costs millions of pounds stabling horses, purchasing horses, feeding horses, cleaning out horses stables. WHAT use are they? What can mounted officers do? Their one and only thing they can do is to produce manure for gardens, certainly not police work. The mounted officers will always tell you how much they do for the police because it is a nice easy cushy number.

[@marco111490]

WHAT ARE THE MAIN BREED THEY USE?

[@axw1673]

Usually shires or Clyde's dales or a mix of both :) sorry for such a late reply

[@rw3205]

@@axw1673 no they don't! not in the UK 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rw3205]

Irish draught, Tb x , cob types ect

[@axw1673]

@@rw3205 oh right! Thanks

[@Maddie-dr5pp]

does anyone know where you can find the mounted police anywhere in london. i need exact address of where the community is held

[@Roheryn100]

All you have to do is Google. I found it in ten seconds…😮😮😮😮

[@janetlongley8011]

Why do the horse toss their heads so much ?

[@OscarStigen]

I'm all for mounted police patrolling calm neighborhoods or parks during hot summer days. However, I don't really understand the benefit of using horses to counter riots. Especially when objects are being thrown towards the police like for example paving stones and explosives/firecrackers. I certainly would imagine that a car would be more effective and less vulnerable to pain/injuries.

[@In1go_]

Oscar kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKuTi2iVncR2qrs Because it looks fucking cool

[@ellie27]

People are naturally scared of horses - they’re huge, heavy, have big feet and teeth. Horses can also get into areas where cars aren’t allowed, or where a car is way too dangerous. Cars can also be climbed on and avoided easily. A horse is more unpredictable and no ones going to start climbing on one unless they’re really idiotic. Even horsey people avoid a horse coming straight at them. Cars are also easier to damage and blow up 😂 I’d rather meet a car than a horse in a crowd honestly.

[@arramintawebber4178]

Also horses have a unique vantage point so mounted officers are able to see from a different perspective to ground officers and can actually help to see where more officers are needed.

[@jmcg6189]

Years ago, I was in a demonstration in Boston and they were able to control the crowd fairly well. You'd be surprised how fast you move when a large horse is edging up on you.

[@rogerhudson9732]

I once saw a good demonstration of pig sticking by Met riders at Clissold Park , very impressive.

[@classactsexpertiseandinspi4815]

Glad riders must be competent at walk trot canter and basic jumping and dressage before they start the 16 week program and the horses go through calm progressive desensitization training ' - unlike the cavalry where inexperienced riders have accelerated training impractical kit and more thoroughbred type horses not desensitised to urban environments. Cavalry riders should be sent here for training and both units police and cavalry should focus efforts on building successful long term horse and rider partnerships, not destabilising short term swaps.