RENO, Nev. (AP) — After a 20-year absence, some Washoe County sheriff's deputies are back in the saddle.
The Reno Gazette Journal reports (http://on.rgj.com/1WlPjWp) the sheriff's office has revived an old tradition of having a Mounted Horses Unit. So far, six deputies have volunteered to participate and enlist their horses.
The department's last horse unit was disbanded in the early '90s due to budget cuts.
Horses take an eight-hour crowd control class and undergo 40 hours of training to make sure they can handle lights, smoke and loud noises.
Certified horses train monthly with deputies, who pay for saddles and horse shoes themselves. Deputies are also responsible for horse upkeep and veterinary care.
Deputy Walter Lum's 12-year-old horse, Gunner, was rescued four years ago. Lum says he's proud to see Gunner serving the community.