Hidden in the heart of London: visit the mounted police’s Narnia-style stables

Emily Bevan's avatar
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(Image credit: credit unknown)

Narnia-style: the stables can be found tucked down a side street in the City of London
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Narnia-style: the stables can be found tucked down a side street in the City of London

Morning feeds kick off on the yard — which consists of nine stables and several tack rooms — at 7am
Making lunch feed for the horses
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Morning feeds kick off on the yard — which consists of nine stables and several tack rooms — at 7am

At 7.30am, other yard duties such as mucking out, grooming, clipping and bathing get underway
Officer sweeping the yard
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

At 7.30am, other yard duties such as mucking out, grooming, clipping and bathing get underway

Typically the horses work six days in the city before making the 90-minute journey to Bushy Park, on the outskirts of London, for some R&R
Police horses outside the station
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Typically the horses work six days in the city before making the 90-minute journey to Bushy Park, on the outskirts of London, for some R&R

Officers embark on a 16-week equitation course, which covers all aspects of the job from the care of the horse and stable management to specific police training
The tack/locker room
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Officers embark on a 16-week equitation course, which covers all aspects of the job from the care of the horse and stable management to specific police training

The horses are fed again at 12pm and then have their evening feed at 4pm, before lights off at 5.30pm
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The horses are fed again at 12pm and then have their evening feed at 4pm, before lights off at 5.30pm

Training a new horse for the job takes at least 18 months — and is an instense project
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Training a new horse for the job takes at least 18 months — and is an instense project

Irish draught-types are the preferred type of horse — but Eloise Mayhead, who is in charge of finding suitable horses, will consider other breeds
Mounting police horses ready for patrol
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Irish draught-types are the preferred type of horse — but Eloise Mayhead, who is in charge of finding suitable horses, will consider other breeds

‘It’s a novelty having horses in the centre of London and so both Londoners and tourists ask for a photograph, and then you start a conversation,’ says Sergeant Nicola Allen. ‘They then become our eyes and ears’
Mounted police shield
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

‘It’s a novelty having horses in the centre of London and so both Londoners and tourists ask for a photograph, and then you start a conversation,’ says Sergeant Nicola Allen. ‘They then become our eyes and ears’

The branded lorry is the only giveaway that there might be horses nearby, despite being in the centre of the capital
Police horsebox
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

The branded lorry is the only giveaway that there might be horses nearby, despite being in the centre of the capital

The colour and sex of the horses don’t matter, but the lowest height is usually 16.2hh because the horses need to be imposing
Mounting police horses ready for patrol
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

The colour and sex of the horses don’t matter, but the lowest height is usually 16.2hh because the horses need to be imposing

Ready for the job: every day is different and the horses don’t just pound the square mile. Their work can include public disorder situations, as well as engaging with the local community
Leading a horse out of his stable for patrol
(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Ready for the job: every day is different and the horses don’t just pound the square mile. Their work can include public disorder situations, as well as engaging with the local community

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Emily Bevan
Emily Bevan
Freelance writer

Working on a freelance basis, Emily has attended a wide range of horse shows and events as Horse & Hound’s onsite reporter, as well as writing features for both the magazine and website since 2004. Emily assisted the British Horse Society with the launch of its national equestrian awards initiative, and also plays a key role in the press teams for major sporting events including Wimbledon and the London Marathon.