Welcome to the McClelland Quarter Horse Patrol Horse Development Program. Our family ranch strives to consistently supply high quality remounts to law enforcement agencies across North America. Our horses are ready to immediately enter duty and commence orientation patrols by the unit.

One phone call is all it takes. We source and develop horses to the standards set by our international advisory panel of police officers, and deliver right to the stable door for your evaluation. As new patrol units become our customers, their representative is added to our panel. In this way, what we look and train for, is always what you need.

It’s all here in one complete package – guaranteed. And very likely at a cost equal to or lower than you are paying now with no need to advertise, pull officers from duty to look for a candidate, spend money on travel, or hire staff to do the basic training.

Check out our Horse Sale Barn or Contact Us to see what MQH can do to meet your unit’s specific requirements.

Program Standards

Over the past two years, we have worked closely with an expert panel of experienced mounted patrol officers in the United States and Canada to develop outcome standards for a “lateral entry” patrol horse … a horse that is capable of entering light duty as soon as it has been received and acclimatized.

We have incorporated their benchmarks into a training and development program that is designed to produce consistent results that law enforcement agencies can rely on.

Before any horse is released off the ranch, it goes through a professional series of examinations for health, soundness, and skill.

Both the Canadian and Saskatchewan Departments of Agriculture actively support the work of our program as they see it as a way to both add value to the regional equine industry, and to assist an important public protective service.

Entry Requirements to the Program

McClelland Quarter Horses continually source “candidate” geldings through a referral network of western Canadian ranchers, breeders, and trainers. We also advertise year around in print media serving all 3 Prairie Provinces. We have come to believe the best candidates for the Patrol Horse Development Program are ranch horses that have been used everyday, and in all weather. The very best have additional experience in the roping or rodeo arena. We particularly like former rodeo pick-up horses as they usually have a unique blend of strength, calmness and aggression.

Generally speaking, for every 100 horses offered to us, 10 are accepted for in-depth evaluation, and 2 are purchased for entrance into the program. We look specifically for the following physical attributes:

• Gender – Geldings only.
• Age – 6 to 12 years.
• Type – Quarter Horse; Quarter Horse / Warm Blood cross. Registered or grade.
• Height – Minimum of 15.2 HH, preferably taller.
• Color – Solid darker colors with minimal white markings. Paints and greys are accepted only when we have a specific order from a customer.
• Conformation – Good withers; sturdy legs and feet; strong bone and muscle structure.
• Health – Must be sound and in prime working condition. HYPP N/N. Coggins clear.

In addition, the horse must be able to demonstrate:

• Ground manners – Stands tied without fussing; leads easily; loads into trailers and stalls without hesitation.
• Willing attitude – A capacity to learn new skills or face stressful situations with calmness and determination.
• Accurate movement under saddle – Stands patiently; backs up when cued; side passes both directions; walks out smoothly.
• Alertness – Is aware, but not scared, of activity around him.
• Night vision – Can perceive objects or movement in low light and darkness.
• Acceptable herd behaviour – Does not bite or strike out at other horses, handlers, or riders. Integrates easily into a new group.

Advanced Confidence Training

When we were first approached to develop this program, we did extensive research in the available literature. Much of it speaks to training a potential police horse by “de-sensitizing” him in preparation for his work on patrol.

While that may be true in some cases, as horsemen with experience in developing ranch and performance prospects, we believe that the best mounts have complete trust in their rider, and confidence in what they can do together in a given situation, even if they haven’t been presented with that particular challenge before.

We believe it is truly a partnership, not only between horse and rider, but also with other members of the unit. This perspective has been reinforced by participating in actual mounted unit training in Portland, and observing equine behaviour in crowd control situations.

Essentially, in the Patrol Horse Development Program, we strengthen the capacity of the mature gelding to learn new skills that he will apply in the four main areas of a mounted patrol unit’s work:

• Park Patrol, Search and Rescue.
• Community Relations and Parades.
• Street Patrol and Crime Prevention.
• Crowd and Riot Control.

Obviously, as rural based trainers, there are some circumstances we can not train a horse for that he will face in an urban environment. But we can put the foundation in place for the officer and unit to build from together.

Park Patrol, Search and Rescue Skills

Horse walks through belly high brush, over deadfall, and across coulees. Horse walks through shallow water. Horse walks across railway crossing. Horse walks across wooden bridge. Horse accepts birds flying from underfoot, barking dogs, etc. Horse accepts plastic and paper blowing across path. Horse walks over 9’ x 12’ tarp. Horse accepts cyclist approaching from behind and in front.
Horse accepts rubber dinghy / air mattress being carried overhead toward it by pedestrian Horse walks over flattened cardboard and through empty cardboard boxes.

Community Relations and Parade Skills

Horse accepts pedestrians that walk up to him and place hands on his body. Horse accepts stroller or bicycle rolled up adjacent to front feet. Horse tolerates loud noises approaching from behind – quad, motor vehicle, and music. Rider carries standard with flag at both walk and trot. Horse accepts umbrella being opened and closed within 3’ of head and sides.

Street Patrol and Crime Prevention Skills

Horse will go where rider asks him. Horse will stand quietly while an agitated pedestrian is being frisked and handcuffed. Horse accepts passing vehicles within 10 feet. Horse accepts the close presence of operating machinery / semi-tractors / buses. Horse accepts flapping flags, crime tape, and parking lot streamers. Horse accepts car horns blown within 20’. Horse accepts overhead saws and other construction noises. Horse walks by burning flares / lit fires / through smoke.

Horse rides at ease in shadowed areas.

Crowd and Riot Control Skills

Horse tolerates helper rattling plastic shopping bag with several empty aluminum cans on the end of a 4’ stick at knee level, shoulders and over the head. Horse walks through foam finger gauntlet. Horse walks through hanging plastic strips (plastic wall / car wash simulation). Horse accepts Earth Ball being pushed against his chest and sides, and will advance against it when cued by the rider. Horse tolerates Styrofoam ‘noodles’ being gently tapped against its chest and will advance when cued by the rider.

Horse tolerates tennis balls lobbed gently against its body. Horse advances when cued against a pedestrian waving a placard. Horse willing accepts close presence of a second horse and rider. Will perform figure eight and work along the rail in tandem or wedge formation.

We invite you to visit our Horse Sale Barn from time to time to see what we have available. In certain circumstances, long term leasing is an option.

If you would like to inquire about upcoming horses for sale or would like more information or references, please Contact Us.