Police horse hangs up his horseshoes

Eighteen year-old Weller

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One of Greater Manchester Police’s police horses is hanging up his horseshoes and retiring from the Force.

Eighteen year-old Weller is being put out to pasture at The Horse Trust, a sanctuary in Buckinghamshire where horses go to retire, including ex-police horses from GMP.

Weller is a 16’2hh black Irish Draught cross and is a placid, friendly horse who has had a long career at GMP’s Hough End Centre in south Manchester. For the last 14 years he has helped police sports events, demonstrations and remembrance services as well as other tours of duty including patrolling neighbourhoods and visiting schools.

The other police horse, 14-year-old Cicero, suffered an injury so will be going to The Horse Trust for a couple of months to receive rest and recuperation. He is a 16’2hh grey Irish Draught and is described as a brilliant, fearless and reliable horse.

Both horses will be sorely missed but officers and staff at the mounted unit know they will be very well cared for at The Horse Trust and will be joining other GMP police horses who have already retired to the rest home. Everyone is looking forward to seeing Cicero come back fit and well and ready to continue his duties.

The Horse Trust is a charity that provides a lifetime sanctuary for around 100 horses, donkeys and ponies.

Head of the Mounted Unit, Chief Inspector Lynn Roby said: “It’s always sad to see our horses leave, Weller was part of the family here but he’s worked very hard for us over the years and now it’s his chance to enjoy retirement and have a well deserved rest.”

Paul Jepson, Chief Executive of The Horse Trust said “We are delighted to welcome Weller to the Home of Rest after all his hard work for Greater Manchester Police. We hope he will have a happy and healthy retirement here.”

The GMP mounted unit currently has 35 horses and is one of the busiest mounted police units in the country. All the horses are given the names of Dickens characters.