Horsing around
Hampton Beach mounted patrol officer
Hampton Beach mounted patrol officer John Galvin talked to the Scene about the history of the mounted patrol unit, the advantages of patrolling on horseback, and why beachgoers love to see the horses walking along the beach.
How did Hampton’s mounted patrol unit come to fruition?
It started in 1981. Dennis Pellitier, the sergeant at the time, came up with the idea. At the time it was funded through donations, and by the second year the Town of Hampton voted to add it to their budget, and it’s been that way ever since. A lot of beaches have done away with their mounted patrols, but I’m glad it’s still a thing here.
With cruisers and bikes being the norm, why patrol on horseback?
The town seems to really like it. They always vote to keep funding it. We didn’t have four-wheelers back in the ’80s so it was easier to get down on the beach with the horses. People can see you better, and you’re nice and high up. People expect to see them too, hey come back every year and seem to really love them, especially the kids. When you’re in a cruiser you don’t get to connect with the public unless you get a call, but when you’re on a horse people don’t mind coming up to you at all.
Tell me a little bit about the horses. Is there a specific breed you prefer?
We’ve always liked the Tennessee Walking Horses. They were recommended to us by a local tack shop owner who owned a couple himself. Walkers are a more comfortable ride, they do a fast walk instead of a trot like most horses. With a trot you’ll bounce up and down, but the Tennessee Walker’s stride is very smooth. They have a great disposition as well. They’re very laid back and friendly, and we’ve never had issues with biting or kicking. We’ve had close to 30 horses over the years, and we got a new one last fall named Goliath.
How do the horses do in the heat? Is it hard for them to be out in the sun all day?
Most of our horses come from the South so they’re used to the heat. We get them plenty of water, and if they get too hot we’ll bring them back to the station. We need them all summer so we make sure they get the care. We bring them down by the ocean too. They love the sand, and the salt water is good for their hooves. Plus, people get a kick out of it!
What’s the training process like for the horses?
We train them to put up with nuisance. We get them used to the sounds of sirens, beeping horns, firecrackers, all types of sounds. Horses are survivors by nature. They’ll run if they hear or see something they don’t like. For example, I brought my new horse down to the beach and noticed he was getting hanky with a crosswalk and tried to walk around it. I got him in front of it and when he was relaxed I gave him a little squeeze and he walked over it. After a couple of days he was fine with it. Similar things happen with puddles — they probably think it’s a giant hole or something.
What’s the coolest part of the job?
Probably the reactions you see from people, especially kids. You get a huge smile out of them, even if they’re afraid. Most of the time they’ll come right over and pat the horses. I’ve never talked to so many people in my life as I have when I’m on a horse, so that’s really cool. It’s just a whole different thing from being in a cruiser. It’s like I have a job in public relations.
—Shane Jozitis