Bethlehem Mounted Police Conduct Riot Training

The Bethlehem Police Department’s Mounted Patrol recently conducted riot control training with sensory ground obstacles, live fire desensitizing drills and tear gas exposure, according to the unit’s Facebook page.

While the men involved in the training wore gas masks, they are not necessary for the horses, officers explained. While tear gas affects humans, it does not affect horses, police said, in response to concerns from some of the Mounted unit’s Facebook followers.

“We love our partners and strive to minimize their exposure to danger,” the post said. “The smoke used to carry the irritant, on the other hand, is a smell and sight that horses are naturally weary of because of the fire usually associated with it.”

Hence the desire to train the horses not to fear the tear gas smoke in the event the Mounted Patrol is needed for riot control.