Summertime is an increasingly busy time for the Saratoga Springs Police
Department, and these few months require the help of a different kind
of officer.
Jupiter, a 14-year-old standard-bred gelding, and King Tut, a draft horse, take to the streets during tourist season as part of Saratoga Springs Police Mounted Unit, under the lead of Lt. Mike Chowske, Officer Glen Barrett and Officer Pat O'Leary.
In 2000, the department launched the mounted unit as a way to help patrol the streets near Saratoga Race Course and Broadway.
"The horses serve a huge presence in Saratoga Springs. People can see an officer nine feet above a crowd; we're very visible and approachable," Chowske said. "It's easier to ask an officer for directions when they are sitting atop a horse on a street corner than if they are driving by in a police car, and the trouble makers seem to know that they are easier to spot from a higher angle."
The size of the horse is a determining factor to enter training to become part of the mounted unit. A horse must be at least 16 hands (one hand equals four inches) tall, three years old and must have a calm disposition and willingness to work. Saratoga Springs' first police horse was Zeus, a retired harness-racing gelding who was donated to the department by Louise Leppert of Hudson Falls. Zeus served the city until 2003 when he passed away as a result of the West Nile Virus.
The department then acquired Jupiter, formerly named Jo Jo Geronimo, in November 2003 from Joanne Hamilton of Ballston Spa. King Tut became a part of the mounted unit in 2008.
"These two horses have done really well. They seem to enjoy coming to work and really enjoy the attention they receive on the streets, especially from the children," Chowske said. "And when we are out patrolling the streets at night, the horses don't know they are dealing with bad guys, they are just following commands and do what they are ordered to do."
Training for the police horses typically takes three to four weeks, however in Jupiter's case, he had never been ridden or worn a saddle as a harness racehorse. It took between four and five months to get Jupiter "saddle ready," Chowske said.
In order to be accepted into the mounted unit, a horse must be in overall good health and condition, can not have vices such as biting or kicking, cannot be claustrophobic and must be able to deal with large crowds. Once a horse is deemed acceptable, they begin training that exposes them to loud noises and traffic and teaches them basic cues and commands.
"Training is so important for the horses. Officers can't be arguing with a horse in the middle of traffic, they have to be obedient and precise," Chowske said. "They are shown in training everything that they could be exposed to: fireworks, horns, going over bridges and through water. They can't shy away if they are not familiar with something."
Chowske said the department would like to acquire a third horse and officers can join the mounted unit on a basis of seniority and work ethic. The problem, however, is the availability of training sessions for officers. There are typically mounted unit training schools every few years.
"Our officers need to show a past record of responsibility and ability to work unsupervised. The mounted unit is a very proactive unit and officers patrol where they feel they need to be," Chowske said.
The mounted unit is typically utilized during the summer on the 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift and when needed on weekends.
"The mounted unit is an urban tool. It's easier to get through traffic and an officer on horseback has a larger presence," Chowske said. "While they really are meant to control the crowds on Caroline Street, they serve a greater presence with the public. People are drawn to Jupiter and King Tut, and they really seem to enjoy it."
In 2000, the department launched the mounted unit as a way to help patrol the streets near Saratoga Race Course and Broadway.
"The horses serve a huge presence in Saratoga Springs. People can see an officer nine feet above a crowd; we're very visible and approachable," Chowske said. "It's easier to ask an officer for directions when they are sitting atop a horse on a street corner than if they are driving by in a police car, and the trouble makers seem to know that they are easier to spot from a higher angle."
The size of the horse is a determining factor to enter training to become part of the mounted unit. A horse must be at least 16 hands (one hand equals four inches) tall, three years old and must have a calm disposition and willingness to work. Saratoga Springs' first police horse was Zeus, a retired harness-racing gelding who was donated to the department by Louise Leppert of Hudson Falls. Zeus served the city until 2003 when he passed away as a result of the West Nile Virus.
The department then acquired Jupiter, formerly named Jo Jo Geronimo, in November 2003 from Joanne Hamilton of Ballston Spa. King Tut became a part of the mounted unit in 2008.
"These two horses have done really well. They seem to enjoy coming to work and really enjoy the attention they receive on the streets, especially from the children," Chowske said. "And when we are out patrolling the streets at night, the horses don't know they are dealing with bad guys, they are just following commands and do what they are ordered to do."
Training for the police horses typically takes three to four weeks, however in Jupiter's case, he had never been ridden or worn a saddle as a harness racehorse. It took between four and five months to get Jupiter "saddle ready," Chowske said.
In order to be accepted into the mounted unit, a horse must be in overall good health and condition, can not have vices such as biting or kicking, cannot be claustrophobic and must be able to deal with large crowds. Once a horse is deemed acceptable, they begin training that exposes them to loud noises and traffic and teaches them basic cues and commands.
"Training is so important for the horses. Officers can't be arguing with a horse in the middle of traffic, they have to be obedient and precise," Chowske said. "They are shown in training everything that they could be exposed to: fireworks, horns, going over bridges and through water. They can't shy away if they are not familiar with something."
Chowske said the department would like to acquire a third horse and officers can join the mounted unit on a basis of seniority and work ethic. The problem, however, is the availability of training sessions for officers. There are typically mounted unit training schools every few years.
"Our officers need to show a past record of responsibility and ability to work unsupervised. The mounted unit is a very proactive unit and officers patrol where they feel they need to be," Chowske said.
The mounted unit is typically utilized during the summer on the 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift and when needed on weekends.
"The mounted unit is an urban tool. It's easier to get through traffic and an officer on horseback has a larger presence," Chowske said. "While they really are meant to control the crowds on Caroline Street, they serve a greater presence with the public. People are drawn to Jupiter and King Tut, and they really seem to enjoy it."
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