HOUSTON — The Houston Police Department is mourning the loss of a member of its Mounted Patrol Unit.
"Hollister Holly" died recently at age 15 after 11 years of service. She joined the Mounted Patrol Unit in 2013.
Holly faced a long battle with a chronic condition, according to HPD.
"She will be sorely missed," HPD posted on X.
Holly was a beautiful Percheron cross mare sponsored by Houston City Councilmember Amy Peck and District A.
"I am so sad over the loss," Peck posted. "Our community loved getting to see Holly at events in our district. Thinking about everyone at Mounted Patrol during this difficult time!"
PHOTOS: HPD Mounted Patrol's Hollister Holly
More on HPD Mounted Patrol
The Houston Police Department Mounted Patrol has 38 horses in its herd with 32 assigned to patrol with officers.
The officers are responsible for the care and well-being of their horses.
The breeds include thoroughbreds, quarter horses, Belgium, Tennessee Walker and spotted saddle horses.
The herd is made up of both donated and purchased horses.
New horses first pass a 90-day evaluation period before undergoing four phases of extensive training.
- The training begins with obstacles including fireworks, smoke and tarps. The horse will be evaluated while working alone and in groups with other mounted horses.
- In the second phase, horses are tested with harassment and crowd control situations.
- Next, the horse and trainer will move outside the Mounted Facility to the major parks and Houston Intercontinental Airport.
- Finally, horses are exposed to the central business district in downtown Houston, which includes challenges like construction, vehicular and pedestrian traffic, water and curbs.
Horses that pass are then assigned to an officer and they continue monthly training.
They patrol primarily downtown and Hermann Park but also help keep crowds safe during big events like parades, The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the World Series, the Super Bowl and other big sporting events.
Photos: HPD Mounted Patrol Unit horsing around at World Series
"One mounted patrol officer and his or her horse has been compared to the effectiveness of 10 to 12 police officers on the ground in crowd control situations," according to HPD.
The Mounted Patrol Unit was reestablished in 1984 during the tenure of Mayor Kathy Whitmire and Chief Lee P. Brown.
