Check out this short video introducing you to three of the senior mounted police horses serving at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP). There are 10 horses in the KHP mounted police unit. Half of those horses are 16 years of age or older. Two are 16, two are 19, and one is 23 years old.

Capt. Rakes rides Oliver. He is a 16-year-old Shire cross. Rakes and Oliver have been together since the gelding was 5 years old.

(Editor’s note: The content of this video is the expert’s approach to the topic. Please consult with your practitioner if you have questions.)

Why Senior Horses Are Important

Rakes thinks the senior mounted police horses are very valuable in their jobs at the Park. “Oliver is the leader, literally, in any big event that we do,” she explained. “We couldn’t do it nearly as well if Oliver wasn’t leading the way.”

She said, “He’s been there, done that. He’s seen it. He’s quiet and level-headed. He’ll get to a big event and stand there and cock a leg to rest or take a nap.”

Rakes said having experienced horses helps calm younger, less experienced horses in new situations.

From Driving to Riding

The two other senior mounted police horses in this short video are Billy (with Officer Melissa Sedlaczek) and Mackenzie (with officer Heather Geer). Mackenzie is a 19-year-old Dales Pony/Clydesdale cross.

Billy is the oldest horse serving in the unit at 23 years of age. He is a Gypsy Vanner that was imported from England during his career. Rakes said Billy “will outwork any of the horses in the barn!”

Both Billy and Mackenzie were used as driving horses before becoming riding mounts.

Further Content

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