Special Report
A Comparison of ATV's vs. Horses for Police Use

by Constable R. Derksen, NRPS Mounted Unit

There are many different ways the Niagara Regional Police Service make their presence known, keeping in mind mobility as a major factor in deployment. Typically, marked cruisers, bicycles, foot patrol and, recently, ATVs facilitate this. Of the means just mentioned, I have participated in all of them. I have been doing uniform cruiser and foot patrol since the beginning of my career. I am qualified to patrol on bicycles and on ATVs.

My off-duty passion is riding and training horses. I have been an avid horseman for many years. My riding is done in remote rural areas as well as in cities. Since the formation of the Mounted Unit, I ride in parades, ceremonies and public functions.

In the summer of 2001 I spent about 24 hours over the course of three consecutive days on ATVs searching for two missing seniors, one in Welland, Ontario, and one in Vineland, Ontario. I would like to relay my experiences and to show a comparison of ATV and horse uses for police purposes. I will attempt to address most aspects of search and rescue and general patrol.

Both means are very useful for patrol and search and rescue and both have their drawbacks. When on general patrol, an ATV can be parked and left behind, enabling the officer to carry on by foot. A horse can be tied and left, but really should not be left completely unattended for an extended period of time.

With regard to approachability and public relations, an officer on an ATV is far more approachable than an officer in a police cruiser. However, the helmet and visor can interfere with interpersonal communications and the engine noise can also become a barrier. An officer on horseback has none of these limitations and the horse actually attracts citizens. A mounted officer is by far the most approachable of the two. I have found that when riding in parades and out on pleasure rides, people always approach to ask questions and bring their children over to see and touch the horse.

The things I was acutely made aware of while involved in the search and rescue operations was how limited the use of ATVs actually were compared to the exact same situation on horseback. I discovered that while covering uneven terrain even at very slow speeds the ATV can be unstable and difficult to keep balanced. I was ejected off of the ATV on four occasions. Twice I went over the handlebars when I drove into shallow trenches that were obscured by vegetation. Twice I had the machine roll while traversing the slanted embankment of the Welland Canal. One time in fact the machine rolled over four times. My partner had his ATV roll on top of him when he drove along a pond embankment.

I also found that obstacles such as cables and guardrails, narrow deep ditches, dense forest, narrow pathways and deep water prevented the ATV from passing. Alternate routes had to be found. In a positive view, the ATVs were invaluable in searching fruit orchards with their fruit-bearing, low-hanging branches. The only obstacles that would have prevented passage by horse would have been high fences and very low branches such that are found in orchards. A horse is "self-balancing" and would not simply topple over and would be unable to step over a ditch or low barrier.

As an experienced rider, I am always conscious of how my horse is behaving. I notice details that indicate to me that he sees, hears or smells something that could be of interest or concern. The physical attributes of a horse would be invaluable in a search and rescue situations, and on patrol.

While riding a horse, the rider's senses are not compromised as compared to driving an ATV. There is no engine noise and the equestrian helmet used does not interfere with hearing or vision. The senses of the horse actually enhance the rider's perception. Because horses are naturally a prey animal, their senses are tuned for survival. Horses possess an acute sense of hearing. They rarely miss the slightest sound near or far. Their sense of smell is greater than a dog and their eyes are always searching for the slightest movement. An alert rider will be in tune with their horse's senses as well as their own. I know of an incident where a police officer located a homicide victim because his horse reacted to the smell of the corpse. The height of a rider's head is about 10 feet above the ground giving a larger more effective field of view.

I found that on an ATV my vision, hearing and smell were restricted greatly due to the helmet, engine noise, exhaust fumes and the low profile the rider must sit at. I had difficulty hearing the portable radio, my partner on the other ATV, citizens along the way, cell phone use and certainly would not have heard cries for help from a missing person even if nearby.

I am physically fit and yet after spending several hours each day on the ATV I was exhausted. The ATV must be controlled constantly while it is in motion. The heat coming off of the engine caused dehydration and fatigue. While riding a horse you are able to relax while in motion and the horse is able to maintain it's course without constant 'steering'. In fact a horse will change direction with the slightest cue and physical strength is not required.

Another concern is environmental impact. During the search along the Welland Canal, a helicopter was used from the Erie County NY Sheriffs Department. Later at the command post the officers who were in the helicopter complimented us on how well we searched. They said they could see our tracks from the ATVs where we crushed our way through fields, thickets and vegetation.

Exhaust fumes could be a concern as well. Horses leave no more trace of their passing than a person would on foot. As far as any manure is concerned, it is actually beneficial to the environment. It also does not possess the same make up as dog excrement. Horse manure is virtually similar to grass clippings from a lawn mower.

Because speed in search and rescue situations is not as important as thoroughness, the main advantage to an ATV is its ability to backtrack quicker for extended periods of time. Mechanically an ATV is very durable, but it can suffer a breakdown, which could render it useless immediately. Things like running out of gasoline, a flat tire or any number of reasons could cause this situation. A horse needs only some water and grass from time to time to keep going. Although a horse tires like any living creature, it simply does not just stop unless it were to become seriously injured. Horses are designed to travel great distances at varying speeds.

Lastly is cost. The ATVs that the NRPS own roughly cost $10,000 each to buy and outfit. They need licencing, gas and oil. Although I don't know the cost for annual maintenance I suspect it would be cheaper than a horse. The ATVs can be parked and left in storage when needed. To purchase a good horse can cost anywhere from $2000 to $5000 each. To outfit each with tack would run about $1500 and this would be a one-time expense. Horses need year round feeding and care unlike the ATVs. Feed, farrier and veterinary cost are about $1800 annually. Both the ATVs and horses require a trailer and tow vehicle and the cost would be equal in this regard.

ATV's have very specific uses, such as rough terrain mobility, whereas horses have numerous uses. A police horse can be used for anything from parades and formal ceremonies, to general patrol and search & rescue. Public relations, such as school visits, are also perfect venues for horses as well.

ATVs and horses are both beneficial resource for policing. However, in comparison to the ATV, I believe horses have incredible potential to perform a greater range of roles in the long term, and should be considered an asset to any police agency.