06-03-2025
Asbury University students train horses to serve across the nation
WILMORE, Ky. (FOX 56) — Police department-mounted units across the nation are looking to Asbury University for their next service mounts. Students play a big role in making this happen.
From March 6-8, Asbury University is hosting the Service Mounts Police Training clinic, which is being used to have the out-of-state police departments bond with the horses that will serve alongside them. Greg Mastin is a sergeant with the Scottsdale Police Department mounted patrol, bonding with the horse, Owen. Mastin made the trip from Arizona to get Owen ready to serve with his department.
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Asbury University students train horses to serve across the nation
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'We were super impressed with the program the first time I came out. The facilities, learning about the whole process of getting a horse when they're basically a baby, raising and training them to do the specific things we need them to do as police officers,' Mastin said.
Horses that go on to be part of mounted patrol units will serve alongside the department in any way they need, like community outreach and events. The clinic gives these officers the chance to see how students like Kaia Chesbro have trained them for these roles. Chesbro is a senior at Asbury University and a trainer for the service mount program.
'It's been absolutely incredible and life-changing. I came to Asbury with some horse experience, but mostly riding and showing. However, coming to Asbury, I've been able to learn so much about training horses and what it takes to be a good trainer versus just being a good rider,' Chesbro said.
Elizabeth Guthrie is the equine director at Asbury. Guthrie said she envisioned what it would be like for officers to meet these Kentucky horses face-to-face as they prepare to serve.
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'They've gone everywhere from parades in New York City to marches for suicide awareness, so I think it's just special to get to have horses that are going into service in that way,' Guthrie said. 'I really wanted to open up that space for the officers to come. I'm grateful that they took the time to fly across the country and get to know our horses a little bit better.'
Just like they would with human officers, this moment is for learning these horses' personalities and quirks. Mastin said this is a dream job, especially because it involves getting to know Owen as one of his teammates.
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'Anytime you meet a new horse, they have a personality just like a person does. He's very reminiscent of some of our other horses at home. He's slightly lazy, but he's very cuddly and loveable. He'll do the things you ask him to. You just have to ask the right way,' Mastin said.
When the training is complete, the horses will go all over the country with their new police units in April.
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