One of the Largest Police Horses in the Country Retires

One of the largest police horses in the country arrived at The Horse Trust today for retirement after serving with Cleveland Police for over ten years.  Clyde, officially called Stranton, is a thoroughbred cross chestnut gelding standing at 19 hands high and weighing a tonne.

Sergeant Paul Johnson, from the Cleveland Police Mounted Section, said “Clyde has been with the Force for over ten years, during which time he has been a magnificent police horse.  He has worked at Remembrance Day parades and has taken part in policing hundreds of football matches.  He also represented Cleveland Police at the Lord Mayor’s parade in Liverpool 2009.  He will be missed by all the staff at the Mounted Section.”

Clyde is bred from Mill Reef and was originally purchased privately for eventing but grew too big, making him ideal for police duties.

Clyde will be in good company at The Horse Trust which is also home to Titan, another of the largest police horses in the country who came to us from Thames Valley Police.  Titan is a shire cross who stands at 18.3 hands high and weighs just short of a tonne.  He originally came to us on respite but is unable to return to work and will be formally retired in our presentation at Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials 2012 on Sunday 9th September.

The Horse Trust is also home to another police horse called Clyde!  The original Clyde came to us at the end of 2011 from Thames Valley Police.  He was honoured by HRH The Queen at Royal Ascot in June 2011 for his seventeen years of service.  This Clyde is a dark bay and at a mere 16.3 hands high will be towered over by his new namesake!