Mobile is gearing up for its biggest celebration of the year—Fat Tuesday!
While beads and floats often steal the spotlight, there’s another kind of parade star quietly trotting its way into our hearts: the police horses.
This year, the Mobile Police Department (MPD) hosted a special nine-day training session, turning their four-legged team members into the calmest, coolest horses on the block.
Top-Notch Training Attracts Nationwide Attention
Folks from all over the country are noticing how great Mobile’s mounted training program really is.
Joan Burlingame, a rider from Seattle, traveled more than 2,500 miles to ensure her two beloved mules, alongside the horses, got first-class training from Mobile’s Mounted Unit.
“This is probably the top program in the nation, which is why I came down,” Burlingame proudly said.
Her goal? To make sure her mules stay calm enough to keep her off the ground, especially during Mardi Gras excitement.
Building Bonds One Hoof at a Time
At the heart of the Mobile Mounted Unit’s training program is trust.
Mount Instructor George Survillo explains the secret behind parade-perfect horses isn’t flashy tricks or tough drills—it’s the relationship between rider and horse.
“We’re trying to enable the horse and rider to bond,” Survillo shared. “To become one. The horse feeds off the rider and vice versa.”
This strong bond means Mobile’s horses don’t easily get startled by loud marching bands, vibrant floats, or excited crowds. Instead, they’re confident, steady, and ready to stroll smoothly down Dauphin Street.
Officers From All Around Saddle Up in Mobile
The Mobile Police Mounted Training Program is so popular, even officers from places without Mardi Gras parades can’t stay away.
Officer David Misenhelter from Oxford, Mississippi, joined this year’s training to sharpen his horseback skills.
“We don’t have events like Mardi Gras back home,” Misenhelter explained. But the experience here is helping him become both a better rider and officer.
“It makes us better police officers and helps us keep our city safe and just do a better job at policing,” he said.
Mobile’s training ground is quickly becoming the go-to spot for officers eager to handle big crowds with ease.
Ready to Shine on Fat Tuesday!
In total, 32 horses and mules attended this year’s training, including six proud members of Mobile’s own Mounted Unit.
After more than a week of intense exercises testing sensory skills and responsiveness, these animals are now fully prepared for the festive chaos that comes with Mobile’s Mardi Gras.
Tomorrow, when Fat Tuesday kicks off, parade-goers can confidently wave hello to police officers on horseback, knowing each animal has trained diligently to stay calm and focused.
After recent years of concern over horse welfare during parades, this training sends a happy, reassuring message: Mobile’s horses are in great hands.
So, as the beads fly and the crowds cheer, let’s celebrate Mobile’s mounted stars.
Thanks to this fun, dedicated training program, the city’s favorite celebration can roll on safely and smoothly—just how we like it here in Mobile.
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