After a short stay at the Como Zoo, the St. Paul Police Department’s horses have settled into a more permanent pasture.
In early November the mounted division’s five horses moved from their previous home at Meadowview Stables in Woodbury due to a change in diet that the stable wasn’t able to accommodate, Sgt. Mike Ernster, a St. Paul police spokesman said.
The zoo then allowed the unit’s five horses to temporarily take up an outdoor pen usually occupied by zebras.
The department then entered into an agreement to stable the unit’s horses at the Majestic Pines Stables located in Afton.
The horses moved to their new digs two weeks ago, Ernster said.
The mounted division is also looking to purchase an additional horse, according to its website.
A good police horse is a minimum of 16 hands (64 inches) tall and is between 8 and 12 years old. The department is also looking for an animal with a calm temperament, according to the website.
Those who know of a horse that might meet these requirements can contact Sgt. Valerie Namen at Valarie.namen@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
The Mounted Unit typically consists of six full-time officers and six horses and helps the department with crime prevention and enforcement all year round.