Article by Marcya Roberts | Philadelphia Horse Examiner

The following photos were taken at the April 6th de-spooking clinic held in the Rogue Valley.

Ever wish you could take your horse through the mounted police academy? Bill Richey, former mounted police officer and POST (Police Officer Standards and Training) certified mounted police instructor, showed horse owners and firefighters last night at the Hope Firehouse in Allentown, NJ just how it's done.

“The class teaches how to take charge of your horse,” explained Richey. “Participants learn how to give the horse a reason to go forward.”

During the demonstration in front of firefighters and horse owners, a volunteer held her horse while Richey set off scary smoke bombs and created a line of flames using a can of gasoline. The horse was successfully lead through the smoke and flames.

Richey’s method implements his working knowledge of techniques used in police training. Richey was instrumental in creating the mounted units for the city of Duluth, also in Forsyth and Gilmer Counties (Georgia) training officers and horses. He also worked with the Atlanta Police Mounted Unit in preparation for the 1996 Olympics and was the chief instructor for Mobile Mounted Police Mardi Gras School.

His course, entitled “Rider Empowerment and Equine Confidence,” can be a one-part, two-part or three-part series depending upon how much particpants would like to get out of it. It covers areas of horse physiology and psychology, equitation techniques, mounted drill, mounted obstacles and mounted sensory.

Richey will be on hand in Monmouth County, New Jersey for two sessions this weekend, March 30 and 31 in Manalapan and again the weekend of May 11 and 12 in Freehold. Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Warmbloods, Quarter Horses and other breeds have all been successfully trained as police horses so all type of horses may attend. Riders may also choose to attend without a horse and audit the class.

For more information contact:
National Mounted Police Services, Inc.
275 Kings Point Rd
Kings Point, NY 11024
239-214-2062 or [email protected]