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New police horse joins ranks of VPD mounted unit

A new horse is joining the ranks of the Vancouver Police Department's mounted unit — although he still has no name.

The four-year-old horse has just finished a 60-day assessment period, says Const. Darcy Henkel, who is responsible for training new police horses at the VPD's Stanley Park police stables.

"We're trying really hard to see if he has a temperament that's suited for what we do," said Henkel. "Very calm, very curious.

Usually horses run away from situations when they are fearful, but curiosity can help overcome that, says Henkel.

"Curiosity is a great trait with a horse, because, when they're afraid, that curiosity can override their fear and they will want to go forward," she said.

"If they have a strong curiosity and they trust their rider, they're more apt to go into the situations we require for policing."

Unusual for young horse

Henkel says the assessment period allows the rider to gain enough control of the horse in the arena to be able to introduce him to the general public — and then, Stanley Park.

"We go to the quiet trails, see what he does with cyclists, with pedestrians with umbrellas, with families with baby strollers, coming head-on or out from the side, or even birds flying up out of the bushes."

Henkel says the new horse passed his assessment with flying colours and will now begin proper training.

"He showed that he's pretty capable. He may be afraid of things, but he'll come back and look at them. He might not even be afraid, and he'll walk by like it's no big deal."

"The longer he's been here, the better he's gotten, which is unusual for a young horse."

Already making arrests

The new horse has already made his first arrest, after a report of a theft at the Vancouver Aquarium.

With the help of the new horse and fellow police horse Billy, police quickly tracked the alleged thief down to a bus in the Stanley Park loop.

Henkel says the new horse will get a name soon — and she has high hopes for him.

"Nothing bugs him. He should have a long, great career. He's already made his first arrest, and he wasn't even on the job. He's got high expectations and high standards to keep!"