City of London Police has bid a sad farewell to its best police horse, 16-year-old PH 61 Stephanie or “Sally” after she suffered a serious tendon injury in the field.
The 17hh grey Percheron spent eight years with the force, having been bought from a yard in Cambridge where she had been broken to harness and bred a foal.
Stable manager Rachel Jenkinson said: “She was our strongest public order horse — she could lead anything through anything, which was very useful in last year’s student protests.”
Sally regularly patrolled the Square Mile and other iconic sites around the city with her officer PC Heidi Eldred, took part in the Lord Mayor’s Parade and helped to train many new officers and horses.
“She is a sadly missed colleague and friend,” added Rachel.
City of London Police is now looking for a horse to replace Sally, but it will need to be fully operational in time for next year’s Olympic Games.
“We need a seven- or eight-year-old, already established in traffic to be ready by spring next year,” said Rachel.
