My Mustang Partner
Dedicated to God, my Family, the wild horses, Abby, and "Modoc," my first Mustang Police Horse.

Ears that hear and eyes that see; the LORD has made them both.
proverbs 20:12

"equis bellator; fortiter in re, suaviter in modo"
"the war horse; resolute in action, gentle in manner"

"Deputy" Abby,

The Mustang Police Horse

You see I ride a Mustang and you stop and ask me why,

And as I begin to answer, my eyes well up with pride.

You see, I've looked at other horses with so called bloodlines, breeding and such,

But compared to my partner Abby, they sure don't amount to much.

She's a bit of Americana, folks see it at just one look,

Its somethin' that you feel inside, you won't find it in any book.

"How long'd it take to break her" they ask, "looks like you've had good luck,"

"I didn't break her," I reply, "she accepted me, without one single buck."

No, she doesn't like everything I have to make her do,

But she gets in and does the job, just because I ask her to.

I think God must 'of loved the Mustangs for he made them powerful and wild you see,

They remind me of where I am today, here, in the land of the free.

They're a part of us, what we've been, the heritage of our great nation,

Its a blessing for me to caretake one of God's finest creations.

So when you think of wild horses, don't think of them as food that some dogs eat,

Think of Abby the Police Horse, my partner workin' the streets.

At the end of our days, when we've run out our course,

The good book says the Almighty will return on what else but a horse.

So listen when our Maker returns, he may speak with a bit of a western twang,

‘Cause the beautiful horse he come in on, was once a wild Mustang.

©Mounted Sergeant, Phil West

Abby

Abby was foaled in 1991. She was born in the wild horse herds of Goldfield Nevada. Abby was adopted through the BLM's adoption program when she was 1 1/2 years old. Karen and I trained Abby and she was originally to be Sheryl's rodeo partner. Abby went to work on the streets as a Police Horse at the age of 3.

After loosing Modoc (see the note below), my first Mustang, I was in search of finding another horse to fill his huge horseshoes. I traveled extensively in California and Nevada looking for another horse to use as a Police Horse. I couldn't find a horse that had what I had lost in this big 16 hand Sorrel. In the background, my wife Karen, kept quietly saying to use Abby. She continued re-enforcing that she wasn't as big as Modoc, but she had all of the qualities that I was not able to find in all of the other horses of various breeds that we had looked at. The decision was made and Abby hit the streets.

Abby has been a willing partner whose demeanor changes when we tack up for police work. It is as if she "grows" and holds herself proudly as she works with me. Abby has engaged many difficult situations and has made several arrests. A testament for the Mustang and their willingness to work with us. Abby has served as a working Police Horse since the end of 1993 and competed in High School Rodeo.

What a versatile horse!

Abby's Retirement!

Abby officially retired in October of 2006 and made her last, official, on-duty appearance at the National Wild Horse and Burro Show in Las Vegas, NV, October 7th & 8th. Abby is to retire while she is still healthy, full of "vinegar," and will still be of assistance at the ranch helping with lessons and periodic patrol duties. Abby's party was enjoyed by all thanks to the efforts of the (Las Vegas) National Wild Horse and Burro Show Association and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Mounted Police who were on hand for Abby's ceremony and riding two mustangs as well. Abby has worked on the more stressful details but made here last “10-8” on July 4^th, 2010 and will no longer “contract back.” She will continue to attend the California Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Sacramento with me each year as her ability dictates. Bigun will be taking over all duties from here on out.

Welcome & Introducing: St. Nicholas

(aka: Nickers, Nick)

Nick was a gift from a very special friend and is looking forward to filling in for Abby. I first saw "Nickers" at an adoption/clinic when I took a break from the gentling clinic and went to look at the available horses in the pens.

Nick immediately caught my eye and I asked the herd-gather area that he had come from. It was the same as Modoc's gather area (below). Nick came home to me and I began to work with him.

It wasn't until later that I realized that not only did Nick come from the same gather area as Modoc, but the day that I first saw Nick was 6 years to the day that I had lost Modoc. I soon began to be astounded at the similarities between the two animals from: color, similar markings on the same feet, same conformation (although 15-1 hands unlike that of Modoc's 16-2h's), star-stripe, only difference being the white chin (he was a gift at the holiday season & birthday, big, red, white chin, nickered for food, thus, St. Nicholas).

There is no doubt in my mind that Nick has some of the same blood that Modoc had.

Modoc

Our first mustang, Modoc, had to be put down due to a twisted gut. He had served as Bishop Police Department's first Police Horse. Modoc had many previous owners prior to my acquiring him. When word got out that we were trying to start a mounted unit, many people in town who knew of this horse said that he would "never" work the streets. 6 months later, Modoc was working the streets, the park, the fair, and even going to the elementary school to hand out candy to the kindergartners at Halloween during, "Red Ribbon Week." After having worked at a partnership with this special animal, who taught us so much about the the Mustang mentality and bond, I had to have Modoc 'sent up.' I only had Modoc for 14 months, but the bond we shared was that of a lifetime. I have no doubt that the Good Lord has a special place and specific use for Modoc. It is also our belief that Modoc was sent to teach us about these special animals so as to help us to understand them, and to help him with his place in whatever divine plans where in store for him. These animals and all of the magnificent things we experience are surely of, Divine handiwork.

Look for Modoc on the side of Bishop Police Department's Mural entitled, "Dangerous Arrest," where my late friend, partner and artist, Richard Perkins, immortalized Modoc within the scene where the horse is spooked at the hitching rail by the gun-play.

I await the time that we will all again mount up together and serve in whatever capacity that the Lord requires of us.

Phil West

Back to Index Page

Or

More about the "Mural"