Das Prächtige Met-Polizeipferd Beginnt Eine "neue Karriere" Und Bereitet Den Besuchern Nach Der Frühpensionierung Freude

Ein mutiges Metropolitan Police Horse, dessen Karriere nach einer degenerativen Augenerkrankung vorzeitig beendet wurde, hat seinen Ruhestand gefunden.

Letzte Woche begrüßte das Devon Horse & Pony Sanctuary den 19-jährigen 16,2-hh-Wallach Rio, der letztes Jahr nach sechs Jahren Dienst aus der Truppe ausgeschieden ist.

Das 1976 von Sylvia Philips gegründete Heiligtum in Devon hatte mehr als 50 Pferde und Ponys, darunter auch Polizeipferde. Nachdem Sylvia 2009 gestorben war, übernahmen ihr Sohn Roland und seine Frau Alison die Leitung der Wohltätigkeitsorganisation und zogen die größeren Pferde und das Polizeipferd in ihr Haus in Frankreich, wo sie die Schwesterorganisation Brantome Police Horses gründeten.

Roland und Alison sind seitdem zurück nach Devon gezogen, während ihre Tochter die Operation in Frankreich überwacht, und Rio ist das erste Polizeipferd, das sich seit 2012 der Basis in Dartmoor anschloss.

Roland, ein ehemaliger Polizist der Metropolitan Police, sagte H&H, die Ankunft des Wallachs habe „für Aufsehen gesorgt“, als der 12-Bett-Pferdetransporter auf dem Dorfplatz ankam.

credit: aerial vision marketing

“when the magnificent rio stepped out there was an audible gasp from onlookers, at 16.2hh he isn’t the biggest police horse we have ever had but he certainly has a presence about him, on the street he must have demanded instant respect,” he said.

“after receiving the best training in the world, which only the best horses get through, rio was issued to officer lyn frearson and served from a very busy central london police base at kings cross.”

throughout the gelding’s career he served at demonstrations and many football matches at millwall. he was also involved in ceremonial duties including the changing of the guard and trooping of the colour.

“lyn told me he was a very brave horse who could always be relied on and would courageously go into any situation however dangerous,” said roland.

“the officers and horses are also brilliant for public relations. you will always see a police horse surrounded by admirers in the street and people will often talk to officers on a horse where they may not engage with police normally.”

rio’s career came to a premature end after it was discovered he had cataracts, which affected his peripheral vision. last week he was accompanied by lyn to his new home in devon, and the charity is in the process of sourcing another police horse to join him in his “new career” of greeting visitors. the charity is planning to hold sessions for frontline workers, who have been through difficult times, to come and spend time with the horses.

“rio will bring a lot of joy into our visitors’ hearts in devon and in particular will help anyone with emotional or mental health problems – at this present time nothing could be more important,” said roland.

“he won’t know he is working, he will just be himself letting his adoring public make a fuss of him. if you are ever feeling down and hug a police horse, life seems so much better afterwards.”