Training Police Horses.

[Music] the policeman and his horse they have the appeal of the statuesque patterned as they are after the United States Cavalry and training going about their duties with superb efficiency but what most of us don't know is the story that lies in the background how does the policeman get his horse how is this clever Animal Train developed to that almost human understand who his rider in Duty so we go to the New York police remount station and here is Sergeant Jim Ganon crack trainer of the department with a horse among many up for sale inspector Burns and Dr Maloney Department Arian exercising their expert Judgment of force flesh yes that one looks okay what's the matter with that fell he's from the West he seems to have some bucking bronco qualities no he won't [Music] do let's take a closer look now that when Sergeant Ganon got he's physically all right legs of Steel and he has thob bread in him which is highly desirable okay they'll put him in training that blanket means he's in the department now and if he's got what it takes including that invaluable quality called horse brains he'll be a regular Trooper in a few months His Name by the way is Fantan say here's where a fell Needs A Bit of Sympathy far away from his country home here in this nightmare in the day daytime beside Newton Creek with trucks rumbling overhead boat and engine whistles screeching and bellowing Fantan will Meander around for a week getting acquainted with big city things and noises nearly a week gone now bandages to guard against knocks and abrasions are preliminary to First lessons in the yard the breaking tack is a starter he's got to learn he must carry weight never having had anyone on his back let him take a walk with it not so tough eh the lunge line now to teach him he can't go about as he pleases anymore that he can't run away and he's put through the paces in walk Trot and caner and seems to be learning right smartly Sergeant Ganon is pleased he tips Fantan how he feels nosing the horse you're doing well fella now heavier weight building up to the time a man is going to get up there the pack bag has plenty weight and let's see how Fantan feels about it oh you don't like it and you get excited well that's to be expected so let it fall off we'll put it back again and before long you'll be ready for the sergeant to mount careful and look fanan says it's okay Sarge a bit frisky but not rough and soon settles down what's this says Fantan obstacle training partner and much to the point that bag might represent a fallen man whom a policeman's horse must step over Fantan is reluctant but he'll catch on the next obstacle might be falling masonry say Fantan you've got to learn you've got to know how to maneuver around fire hydrants and that might be one a narrow Lane represents the Close Quarters in which a policeman's horse may find himself it takes time time to teach him but he learns and now watch him negotiate those obstacles which he bed at before he'll know how to act in similar cases when he's on the job out in the city streets that's molasses a sweet reward after a good lesson it's only given for work especially well done an outstanding job it's part of character building the training course is long the puple is taught deliberately and methodically the next lesson which the sergeant gives him is strenuous clear the barrier pantan learns to take the jumps but he thinks a few should be enough why go over when you can go around the sergeant gets almost as much exercise as the horse his philosophy is don't be over harsh or over kind simply enforce discipline and Fantan will learn his tricks exercise for streamlining and he may have to clear barriers when he's on his future job a signal and prompt obedience Fantan has learned his jumping lesson well where's that molasses he thinks sure fella you've got it coming to you says the sergeant and provides the sweet reward now comes the day for Fantan to go out into the streets Sergeant Ganon the trainer becomes the mounted policeman Fantan must work with his Partners other police horses also it gives him company as he learns the ins and outs of traffic how to step smartly over railroad yard obstacles then down a street with [Music] trucks and then he'll go off alone but other lessons follow the important lesson of maneuvering in a circle charted in the street called teaching the response to AIDS the AIDS being the reins which guide and the body weight and the legs of the rider which through movements and pressure Telegraph [Music] messages Bantan concedes who's boss when he backs up this Conga stuff TR him and he complains a bit yes sir a police horse must have brains learning that little movements have most important meanings learning diagonal work rotary work turning on hunches he's willing to learn he tries and he catches on and then he's given a job handling a crowd the application of those lessons that he's learned so well and experimental mob is used don't step on them Fantan he won't he knows how graduation exercises with inspector Burns presiding does the fluttering flag make him shy the test is passed successfully and then comes the final exam when you can do this it means that the police horse gets his degree the number one point of his education is that he must not injure people he must protect them the inspector turns Fantan over to mounted policeman fuler here's your horse officer thanks inspector he looks like a beauty 8:00 the first day on the job for Fantan he's in the troop pride of his rider who is one of New York's 385 mounted policemen look how well Fantan does his job the horse we've seen educated he'll guard dangerous traffic crossings always on the job someday he'll be in a parade right up there with the inspector's best maybe he'll be a hero a rescue in the park is all in a day's [Music] work perhaps he'll Patrol docks along the Waterfront where great ships must be guarded there'll be nighttime Duty for a police horse has endless assignments at all hours even as here in a densely jammed throng that must be politely pushed away to clear lanes for NeverEnding traffic demands then after years of real service he'll be retired when he's about 20 years old he'll be given a good home under supervision of the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals it may be as in the case of old Regent here with his sway back so expressive of years of heavy duty that he'll go to a retired policeman's Farm there to live as comrade veterans he rates it molasses carrot sugar little girls to ride him off over those inviting Fields say this must be horse Paradise he's in good hands gentle patting hands for the rest of his days