The mounts that are used by the Mounted Police must be desensitized to everything!  That is exactly what Celeste Bennett and Brandy Von Holten did this summer while attending the National Mounted Police training with Instructor Bill Richey. 

Celeste’s mule, Tucson, is a 13-year-old Molly mule from a Quarter Horse/Percheron cross mare.  Brandy’s mule, JoJo, is a 12-year-old John mule from a Missouri Fox Trotter mare.  These two had nothing in common other than being a mule but both excelled during the three-day clinic. 

Not all equines were able to complete the rigorous clinic.  Being able to fully complete all that is required of each equine is a lot to digest especially in a three-day time period.  Tucson and JoJo were up for the challenge. 

Each day built upon one another and was a combination of classroom instruction and in the saddle instruction.  In the classroom, we discussed how equine process stimulation, sight abilities, and tactical maneuvers.  The arena training was advanced for both Tucson and JoJo who have obstacle training backgrounds.  Everything started off with low intensity with a focus on body movement and foot placement.  Tarps, noodles, and plywood bridges were used to warm up, but then came the smoke bombs!  POP!  Each canister made a loud sound before the colored smoke would start rolling out.  The smoke was a lot to process with the mules.  As if the initial pop and the scent wasn’t enough to deal with, the smoke was also moving and hard to see through. 

The equine were given regular breaks to ensure we were not over stimulating them with mounted police training obstacles.  The next obstacle to add to the training process was fire!  A common question clinic attendees ask is, “Will the fire burn the leg of the animal?”  The answer is no.  The composition of the fur has a large percentage of nitrogen which is not flammable.  There is a difference between hair and fur.  They are made of the same elements, but in different proportions.  Hair will burn, but fur will actually put out a fire according to Mounted Police Instructor Bill Richey.

The mules and horses started by having to cross over a single line of fire.  After they mastered that challenge, then it was on to alleyways of fire, bridges on fire, and circles of fire. 

It was exciting to see how much your mule could actually get use to in a short amount of time.  In a joking tone, the instructor kept saying that he didn’t train horses and mules, he trained people.  What this means is that most equine can handle the mounted police training, he just has to prove to the rider that the equine can handle it. 

By the end of the training, flares, 20’air waves with smoke coming out of the top and the arms, sirens, dog barking, multiple smoke bombs, road signs, and FIRE was everywhere.  Tucson and JoJo represented mules very well.  Tucson was not sure of the narrow bridge with smoke rolling out from underneath it.  JoJo was not a fan of the 20’ smoking airwave.  I’m sure if they could talk both would tell you a story about one heck of a weekend.

After completing the training course both the rider and the equine received a certificate from the National Mounted Police Services. 

By Brandy Von Holten