The U.S. Park Police conducts mounted patrols on the National Mall for crowd control, rescue, and public assistance.
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The National Mall is known for many things, including world-class museums, iconic monuments, and monuments. – Even in large scale demos – But there’s something travelers won’t see back home: horses.
The U.S. Park Police Mounted Patrol helps protect the prestigious lands between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, as well as other National Park Service lands in the Washington, D.C., area.
“People always ask, ‘Is something going on?’ Or, ‘Why are you here?'” Kenneth Leonas told USA TODAY. “It’s like, ‘Well, I’m here for you.'”
So is his horse, Cason.
Here’s what travelers need to know about their role.
History with horses
The Home Office describes its mounted patrols as “a four-legged team of tradition, public service and community connections”.
“Our unit was officially launched in 1934…but it started much earlier than that,” Leonas said. “Our cavalry unit is a direct descendant of the U.S. Army Cavalry.”
According to him, the use of horses goes back even further.
What do horses do?
Horses help with search and rescue, crowd control, law enforcement, and crime prevention.
They provide officers with a high vantage point while acting quickly and agilely.
“Instead of riding dirt bikes or ATVs on off-road trails, horses can take you to more difficult terrain,” Leonas says. “We work in the snow, we work in the rain, we work in the mud, we work on concrete, we work on dirt, we work on trails. We work up hills, we work across water…it’s amazing what these animals can do.”
Horses may also wear regalia during ceremonies such as inauguration ceremonies, state funerals, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Every day they take on a different role.
“They call us in the Mounted Corps the face of the institution because we are so visible,” Leonas said. “Horses are great ambassadors between law enforcement and the communities we serve.”
Interacting with the public
Leonas loves seeing children’s reactions.
“The first thing you see is their gasps. They point and smile. They’re amazed, especially for kids who have never seen horses up close or only seen them on TV,” he said.
“I was one of those kids,” Leonas said. “My dad was actually a New York City police officer, and he used to take me to Christmas parties. I remember seeing horses for the first time myself.” He remembers thinking, “Oh my god, this is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I should try that someday.”
Leonas took a chance in 2013 and has been hooked ever since.
“If I could ride a horse anywhere, I would,” he said.
What do I need to join the U.S. Park Police Equestrian Patrol?
No equestrian experience is required to join the force, but candidates must have at least one year of service with the U.S. Park Police.
The application process is competitive. Those accepted will undergo a 10-week training academy, which Leonas will help guide.
“We ride English horses and we also do dressage,” he said. “The first week is the trot. The third week is the canter and gallop. By the sixth week you’re starting to jump, and from weeks seven to 10 you’re basically learning how to be a police officer on a horse.” Even if the police are in control, it’s different with horses.
Horses also have their own evaluation process. The Home Office said the test will last 120 days and assess “everything from temperament to trailing and gait.” It then takes another two months to a year for the horse to be trained.
Leonas said the caisson is on the long side. “But right now, I mean, he’s one of the best players we have and he just needed a little more time,” he said. “He trained every new officer at every academy we’ve opened over the last 10 years.”
Pairing in progress
Mounted patrol members are trained to ride any horse in the unit, but are paired with one horse in particular until the horse is retired.
Leonas and Cason have been a pair since his first horse, Eli, retired. Leonas said both were great, but Cayson was difficult at first. Leonas now calls her his lover.
“If he could crawl on the couch with you and watch TV, he would. He’s like a pet dog,” he said. “I would definitely be upset if he retired. And he’s 19 years old, so we have about a year before we start thinking about retiring.”
Cason’s vision is already becoming a reality. He has a disease called uveitis that has left him nearly blind in his right eye.
“He is almost deaf in that respect as well. We think he may have been kicked when he was young,” Leonas said. “He’s still fair and very brave…He’s a good kid.”
How long does a horse work for the U.S. Park Police?
Leonas says he tries to keep horses at around 7 years old, when they are fully developed.
“I want my horses to have a good retirement, so I try to retire them around the age of 20,” he said. “They served us faithfully.”
He said the force currently has 17 horses and 14 officers after many officers and horses retired, but he hopes to increase the numbers again.
places to see horses
Visitors can see horses at the U.S. Park Police Stables on the National Mall.
“It’s right next to the Lincoln Memorial. It’s on the south side of the Reflecting Pool, basically between the Reflecting Pool and the MLK Memorial on Independence Avenue,” Leonas said, noting that the facility is entirely funded by donations.
There is an interactive educational area where visitors can learn about horses as well as see them in the paddock. Leonas said he tries to give the horses plenty of time to graze, stretch and play, weather permitting.
“They are our colleagues. They have to get us home safely every day. So we want to give them as much play time as possible,” he said.
Visitors can also see the horses and their officers out on patrol. Renas welcomes the public to say “hello,” pet the animals and take pictures, which he says is part of their job. He said it’s always best to ask first, as some horses can be particular about being petted.
“Kason, he doesn’t care. He just wants attention,” Leonas said. “He was like, ‘Oh, you’re into me? That’s cool.'”
