Sheriff's Deputies Recruit Starving Horses

Sergeant John Hargraves' current horse needs to retire from active service on mounted patrol, so he began looking at several starved horses seized by Animal Control Officers in recent months.

A thoroughbred mare had been found starving to death on a ranch. She was a former racehorse. She responded correctly to cues to walk, trot, back and turn on her front and hind legs, Hargraves said.

A Palomino gelding also responded to cues and seemed eager to please. He had been abandoned and starved and had been stuck under a fence.

Hargraves said he will work with a trainer for their basics then assist them through the Mounted Enforcement Detail training and Certification.