Brave Lancashire Police Horse Caton Swaps Preston for The Horse Trust

A little after Easter we welcomed Caton on his retirement from Lancashire Constabularies’ Mounted Branch. At 16 years of age Caton has served his community tirelessly for 12 years but a combination of lameness and gastric ulcers mean it is now time for this public servant to head to pastures new for his well-earned retirement.

Well-liked by Sergeant Adam Person and the team based at Preston Caton has been described by officers of Lancashire Constabulary as “bold and fearless”. Caton patrolled his first ever local football match back in October 2008 at the premier league game between Blackburn and Manchester United.

Horses like Caton help to combine the best of national policing with the best of community policing to deliver the highest standards possible, keeping people safe assisting with policing the streets around Lancashire, helping to deal with anti-social behaviour and policing large public events such as at football and rugby matches as well as special Ceremonial events and the less savoury public demonstrations.

Throughout his career he has seen duty at many high-profile sports events including Manchester City’s premier league title winning match against QPR and the Super League Grand Final in 2012 between Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos as well as the 2012 Olympics and the 2016 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Ceremonial duties at Caribbean carnivals, Remembrance Sunday parades and Memorial processions featured on his roster as well as more serious duties policing local demonstrations by the EDL and the NWI. Whatever form of policing the event required Caton took it all in his magnificent stride.

Standing at 16.3hh this Bay sports horse was named Karumba when he first joined the Police Service It was obvious he was a bright young horse who was quick to learn and he accepted everything that came his way throughout his training and career in a very positive manner.  His demeanour and obvious intelligence has stood him well and Caton has helped to teach new riders as they join Lancashire’s Mounted Branch.  An obvious leader he is an excellent jumper and has exhibited his skills at many public open days run by the force including the visually stunning jump through fire.

He is undoubtedly going to be missed by the team at Lancashire but is assured of a warm welcome from former Lancashire Constabulary Mounted branch colleagues, Belthorn, Sawley and Silverdale who have already retired to the Trust’s Home of Rest. Our Chief Executive, Jeanette Allen said “For over 130 years we have provided retirement and respite for the UK’s working horses and ponies. Nowadays that means the hard-working equine public servants have served our nation or their community in the Police, the Army or with a charity which uses horses to help people. Caton has worked hard for the people of Lancashire and we hope he can enjoy his retirement at our Home of Rest. It is clear from his career that Caton was one of the bravest of them all.”