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Rescued from mistreatment and living in an equine shelter, a thoroughbred mare and a Palomino gelding are now getting "a second chance with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department," reports LA Now.
30-year-veteran, Sgt. John Hargraves, looking to replace his aging mount, heard animal services had recently seized a number of undernourished horses. At the shelter, he found two horses that seemed to have bright career futures in law enforcement.
The mare was a former racehorse and quickly began responding to cues like walk, trot, back and turn. The Palomino, who was found starving and abandoned after getting stuck under a fence, was "eager to please," said officials.
The animals are being nursed back to health and will be trained for mounted patrol service. In a statement, Hargraves said, "You don't need to have an expensive horse … just one that is sound, calm, and willing to learn and trust you," Hargraves said in a statement, reports LA Now.