VPD Mounted Unit Horses

The VPD Mounted Unit has been patrolling Vancouver for over a century. When not keeping watch over the 1000 acres and 200 km of roads and trails in Stanley Park, you may spot our officers on horseback throughout the city.

In addition to the many community and ceremonial events they take part in, the Mounted Unit has an important role in managing crowds at demonstrations and large events.

Officers from the Unit give guided tours of the stables and occasionally visit Vancouver-area schools.

Tour the Mounted Unit

Our stables are located in the service yards of Stanley Park near the Rose Gardens. Let’s take a tour!

Meet our horses

There are eight  horses of different breeds in the Unit, with draught horse crosses being the most successful. They range in age from four to 23.

Our horses live in Stanley Park. They patrol the park and downtown, ready to help with crowd control. They also take part in ceremonies.

Bud

Fergus

Spur

Fun Facts

• Did you know a male horse is called a stallion and a female horse is called a mare? A young male horse is called a colt, a young female horse is called a filly, and a baby horse is called a foal.
• Did you know that many horses live to be over 30 years old? Horses can live beyond the age of 30 with good care and if they are still ridden or driven lightly.
• Did you know that the average horse gallops at approximately 44km/hr? The fastest recorded sprinting speed of a horse was 88km/h. Horses can run within hours of being born.
• Did you know that horse hooves are made of the same protein that makes up human hair and fingernails? It takes 9-12 months for an entire horse hoof to grow.

History

The Vancouver Police Mounted Squad was first formed in 1908, with 11 officers and 12 horses. A year later, the first patrolman on horseback was assigned to patrol Stanley Park, a large, urban, and heavily forested area now home to the Vancouver Aquarium, several restaurants, and public recreation facilities.

The stables were at Cordova and Main, allowing easy access to other areas of the rapidly growing city. By 1911, the Squad had 20 riders and a second stable near the entrance of Stanley Park.

World War I led to drastic cuts, and the Mounted Squad was reduced to only two members by the end of 1916.

The 1920s and 1930s were a time of labour unrest, unemployment, demonstrations, and riots, and the Mounted Squad began to rebuild. In 1939, they provided escort for the Royal Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on a Vancouver visit. By 1949, the Squad was disbanded after it was decided that it was no longer needed.

In 1951, the Squad was hastily and temporarily re-established in order to provide an escort for Princess Elizabeth and her husband Philip for their tour of Stanley Park.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Mounted Squad was again used in major crowd control situations, such as the Gastown Riot and numerous Grey Cup games.

Choosing and Training a VPD Horse

This is what we look for in potential VPD horses:

• gelding
• at least five years of age
• 16 hands high or better
• dark in colour
• quiet disposition

Horses are brought in on a 60-day trial basis, during which the horse is subjected to nuisance training in the paddock, such as balloons, firecrackers, and obstacles. If the horse passes these tests, he is slowly introduced to the trails of Stanley Park, eventually moving to the more crowded areas, such as the Aquarium and the beaches.

If accepted, the horse is purchased and issued a badge number. A police officer is then assigned to complete the training of the new recruit.