The new mounted unit of the Ottawa Police Service has secured a stable in the south end of the city but awaits further training and equipment — including protective gear the horses will wear when providing crowd control at demonstrations — before fully deploying next month, according to a recent report presented to the Ottawa Police Service Board.
Since April, the fleet of police horses has been sent out several times weekly to patrol the streets of Ottawa, and has made select appearances at public events.
This activity comes as part of the OPS’s continued effort to roll out the formally titled Ottawa Police Mounted Unit. Launched last year amid some controversy, the OPS expects the unit to be fully operational for major events by the end of September, according to the report presented at the July 28 meeting of the police oversight board.
The mounted unit, which is planned to include eight Clydesdale horses, eight trained officers and one civilian member, is fully funded by the Ontario government, according to the report.
While training is still underway, the mounted unit has begun limited operational deployment. The unit has attended several high-profile events — such as the Royal Visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla in late May and Canada Day festivities on July 1 — in conjunction with street patrols two or three times a week across the city to support “horse desensitization and rider readiness,” the report states.
“The unit has also initiated regular patrols across various city . . . neighbourhoods, with a focus on gradually increasing exposure to high-density environments,” the report states, adding that the unit has been visiting “progressively busier areas” to get the animals accustomed to the urban environment.
The horses assigned to the unit have “diverse levels of exposure and training,” which is one of the main reasons for phased implementation, said the update to board members.
The report added: “This variability requires a tailored development approach to ensure all horses and riders are equally prepared for high-stress environments typical of major demonstrations.”
The lack of proper, specialized horse protective gear — such as visors, leg guards and flank protectors — has also limited the unit’s ability to properly support and manage certain public events: “Until this equipment is acquired and integrated into training, deployment into dynamic crowd management scenarios is limited.”
Exposure to noise, vehicular movement and congested environments are areas where further training is still required before the unit can be fully deployed, the report noted.
Community
Currently the team has seven Clydesdale horses and five trained officers with future intentions to purchase one more horse and recruit additional officers.
Chosen for their strength, intelligence and calm temperament, the Clydesdale horses are said to be “well suited for suburban policing.”
According to OPS, “these horses are stabled within the city and receive daily care from their handlers including grooming, medical attention and exercise.”
The seven horses now in the OPS stable are named Ace, Arran, Angus, Deputy, Rio, Ripp and Will Power, the largest horse at over 18 hands or 1.82 metres in height at the top of the withers, the ridge between the shoulder blades.
“We currently assess the unit’s readiness for public order deployment at approximately
70 per cent,” the report stated. “Barring unforeseen delays, we anticipate the Mounted Unit will be fully operational for major events by the end of September 2025.”
The mounted unit is expected to enhance OPS’s ability to respond to a wide range of operational needs, such as crowd management and community crisis, while also engaging with communities and fostering public trust and confidence across the city.
“The Ottawa Police Mounted Unit is a visible, approachable, and highly trained resource dedicated to enhancing public safety and strengthening connections with the community,” the report reads.
Already the unit has experienced over “40 positive, random public engagements” during its public appearances to date, according to the report, reinforcing the unit’s “approachable” demeanour and friendly presence in the community.
