FIVE ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES

of a MOUNTED PATROL
HORSEby Suzanne D'Ambrose
Suzanne is currently a law enforcement instructor for the
Monmouth County Vocational School,District realizing her lifelong
dream of protecting and educating the community. She was with the
Belmar Police Department for over 10 years, serving as a bike
patrol special officer, as well as a physical trainer for Monmouth
County Police Academy.
Forward
by Phil LeConte
Horses are still depended on by public safety
professionals all over the world. Sometimes
ceremonially, but more often than not for very
practical reasons.
Preparing a horse for mounted patrol requires months
of specialized training. This book focuses on the
important task of selecting equine candidates for this
rigorous training -- a horse with the "right stuff"!
For this we asked Suzanne D'Ambrose, a veteran law
enforcement officer and skilled horsewoman to define
the "Five Essential Attributes" a horse requires to
successfully complete mounted patrol training and
excel once on the job.
Suzanne has been a dear friend for many years. Over
that time, it is fair to say that I have learned a great
deal about her core attributes -- qualities that truly
1
Author with photographer in Austin, Texas 2009.
define her character. As I looked over the attributes
Suzanne has selected for our book (courageous,
friendly, intelligent, dependable and love of work) it
occurs to me that each perfectly describe the author
herself.
I speak on behalf of so many in our organization
(June, Kelly, John, David and Chaplain Fair to
name a few) when I say that I absolutely adore
Suzanne! To use a phrase right out of the Cowgirl's
Handbook, she's a "hoot and a holler" and a terrific
lady.
That the American Association of Police Officers has
been able to share her knowledge and enthusiasm
with the law enforcement community and now,
through this book, with young people, is a source of
enormous pride and satisfaction for us all!
Proud History
There are certain jobs that horses do very well, and no
technology has yet developed that can fully replace
them. Public safety is one area in which horses are
uniquely qualified.

Around the world, many public safety tasks are

provided by a mounted patrol officer and their four
legged partner. Everything from crowd control to
search and rescue efforts in areas of rugged terrain
depend on mounted teams.

Horses can also be used in other areas where it is

necessary to avoid vehicular disruption to delicate soil
or where horseback may be the only practical form of
transport, such as nature reserves or wilderness areas.

Park rangers and game wardens can depend on

mounted patrol horses as much as they do motorized
vehicles.

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Mounting Up Across America

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 Mounted patrol units are a critical component
of police visibility and are the best method of
crowd control for festivals, parks and major
sporting events. As well, they increase police
visibility and provide perspective from which
to monitor activity.

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There are two key ingredients
to any successful mounted
patrol unit.

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 A Law Enforcement
Officer who is a skilled
rider...
...and just the right
horse.
My name is Suzanne D'Ambrose.
As a veteran law enforcement officer and someone
who has spent a lifetime raising and training horses,
I know from experience what qualities to look for in
a four-legged mounted patrol partner.

Let's consider the top five essential qualities of a

perfect horse for mounted patrol.

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Attribute #1: Courageous
A mounted patrol horse can
sometimes see strange things
on the streets or in the park.
He must have a "brave heart"
to continue to go forward. A
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simple flag or street sign may
scare him at any moment. He
must be strong enough to obey
the patrol officer and not panic
in dangerous situations.
Attribute #2: Intelligent
Mounted patrol horses go through
challenging training. They must
learn how to walk through crowds,
keep people away, and be
comfortable around many different
obstacles. He must be smart
enough to understand and do
every one of the skills perfectly.

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Attribute #3 Friendly
People love horses and a
mounted patrol horse must
enjoy meeting people who
approach him.
Adults and children will
want to pet him. He needs
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to stand patiently when the
police officer answers
questions that the people
may ask of him.
He must never be a biter or
a kicker.
Attribute #4 Dependable
A mounted patrol barn. He must load on
horse must be reliable the trailer nicely. He
every day and he must must trust and listen to
give 100%. He must his rider and do
never turn around and whatever is asked.
want to go back to the

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Attribute #5 Love of Job!
All the training in the
world will never make the
perfect mounted patrol
horse, if the horse does not
like what he is doing.
The horse must truly love
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patrolling the streets and
park.
An eager disposition is the
final essential attribute in
selecting a perfect mounted
patrol horse.

There are many things you can do to
prepare yourself for mounted patrol.
Visit horse farms and get to know the
owners. Ask them if you can help clean
stalls in exchange for riding lessons if you
can’t afford them.
There are good books on the subject. Talk
to the groomers and watch the farriers (a
specialist in equine hoof care).
You can become an intern and you can
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ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE
ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR
MOUNTED PATROL:
volunteer with organizations that care for
retired race horses or horses needing a
home.
Get to know a person who is a mounted
patrol officer. Ask if you can tag along.
Something I find very rewarding is
volunteering with the Standardbred
Retirement Foundation. (Adoptahorse.org).
The organization places retired harness
racers in loving homes, as well as with police
departments with mounted patrol units.
About the Author
Suzanne D'Ambrose, New Jersey police veteran, has
served on the American Association of Police Officers
Senior Advisory Council for six years and the Junior
Police Advisory Council for twelve years. Suzanne is a
life long resident of New Jersey. She studied at Rutgers
University-Cook College and received her BS from The
College of New Jersey, her Masters in Education from
Seton Hall University and her law enforcement
education from Monmouth County Police Academy in
Freehold, NJ.
Suzanne is currently a law enforcement instructor for the
Monmouth County Vocational School District realizing
her lifelong dream of protecting and educating the
community. She was with the Belmar Police Department
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for over 10 years, serving as a bike patrol special officer,
as well as a physical trainer for Monmouth County
Police Academy.
Since childhood Suzanne has been an avid horsewoman,
riding and training with family and friends. She owns a
Standardbred horse named "Independent Act" or "Indy"
who is an 8 year old retired harness racer.
Suzanne is an active volunteer with the Standardbred
Retirement Foundation (Adoptahorse.org), an
organization that places retired harness racers in loving
homes, as well as with police departments with mounted
patrol units.
Suzanne in Austin, Texas 2009
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Acknowledgements
Sgt. Anthony French, Austin, Texas Mounted Police

Senior Police Officer Terri Wilson, Austin, Texas Mounted Police

John Schneiter, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

Chaplain David J. Fair, PhD, Brownwood, Texas

Austin Police Department

June Mellon & Kelly LeConte

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 PHOTOGRAPHY BY
PHIL LECONTE

PUBLISHED by the
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF POLICE OFFICERS