New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-06
TEAINIYG MOUNTED POLICEMEy

HOW THEY ARE TAUGHT TO STOP RUNAwAYs
Early wanderers in Central Park are sometimes
startled by seeing a mounted policeman galloping
a, full speed along the driveway on what Is APP
parently an unmanageable horse. Before he has
gone far another mounted officer dashet out from
a clump Of bushes and. gallopins alongside the
seeming runaway. SEXES the bride close to the
BIT. and with .ess dexterity brings him 20
stop. This little performance forms an important
part in the training Of a mounted policeman. Few
riders however skfu. capable OF neatly and
quickly stopping a runaway horse without some
preliminary training.
Every mounted policeman has been put upon a
months probation before being appointed. During
this period he IS thoroughly tested by the sergeant
a. his riding ability ard courage. some men,
though good riders. show the white feather when
It comes % stopping runaways
When the applicant-,or position or the mounted
police force has gone through a course Of instruc
tion. the sergeant or rourA sman takes him OUT on
the bride path and proceeds 10 test his meite. He
takes Up his stand at a given place, while the
sergean, rides back a few hundred yards. and then
comes laundering toward him at full speed. The
new policeman must not allow him get by. but
by galloDng up alongside and Selling the BIT of the
Instructors horse must bring him to stop. This
manoeuvre is repeated again ana again until the
novice has shown that he has the nerve and ability
to stop a runaway going at full speed The sergeant
saws that ne would Just as soon train green hand
who could not ride a, all practised horseman
Any with good nerve. good seat in his saddle
and a quick eye stop runaway horse with
a little practice. The crack riders in the mounted
squad viii defy any horse 10 pass them II they are
unobs,ructed BY other horses and carriages 1t is
more difficult TO stop horse and wagon than
horse by Itself The reason is that there Is more
danger OF the wheels OF the vehicle striking the
legs Of the policemans horse. in which case MS
rider might be thrown of. mounted policeman
never attempts to stop runaway which Is going
away from him The runaway is always stopped
By a policeman in front. who. when he sees 4
coming rides along until i is abreas; and then.
seizng the bit Of the ANNA. gradually pulls it up
They never take mold OF the bride rein but always
OF the bit Itself horse has less power and is
easier TO control when a mold is secured his biz
than when held by the bride rein. The horses OF
the mounted squad very fast for short burst
and seem to understand fully the importance OF
exerting their speed when runaway is 10 be
stopped. Their training is important as that
of their riders. and Of the animals understand
exactly what Is required Of them Mos o. tne
horses driven In the Park are thor0ugaDreds. and
OF mounted policeman. For the snOrt OufSt o.
speed. however necessary - gel alongside and seizs
tie horses i, Is found that they must know and
nave confidence in their riders rh.s idea il rigdiy
ac,ed upon by the sergeant Of the squad. who Is
very strict in eng that the men use their beasts
kindly As a rue. the are far too fond OF
their mounts 10 do otherwise, ana every morse
pleasure before the order clean horses and brides
j. given. The PRIDE OF tie men In their horses Is
shown by the Upton condition ana "e-gtoomsl
appearance which the animals present. during the
winter the horses suffer greatly from rheumatisn
and stiffness OF fonts OWING to their cramped am
unhealthy quarters The place Is really part o. me
sheepfold. ard is totally unit Tor stable. II Is
damp in winter that the walls are always stream
INK with water. while there Is hardly any venula-
ton. Notwl,hstanding these drawbacks ,,a s me
ance both as 70 men ana horses