U.S. Mounted Response Unit Training Center
Based at Surprise Valley Ranch, the U.S. Mounted Response Training Center is a place where search teams, law enforcement agencies, wilderness rescue personnel and special units receive training vital to the success of their mission from a team of experienced Rangers and police horses.
Download the MRU brochure (PDF)
We Train You to Provide Mounted Services
Event coordinators and incident commanders know that crowd and traffic management, perimeter security and maintaining safety on recreational paths are common problems. We prepare you to offer a uniquely effective and cost efficient tool for incident prevention and response. Take a few minutes to observe our graduates at work, and you'll discover why coordinators and commanders rest more comfortably when they call for the horses. When you are ready to learn from the best, give us a call. We'll train you in:
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Operational Flexibility
National law enforcement studies reveal that a single mounted officer may be as effective as ten to fifteen officers on foot. The Mounted Response Unit Training Center prepares you to provide a cost effective method of enhancing the efficiency of law enforcement, security and search operations when combined with traditional foot, canine and motorized services. Our graduates routinely work alongside public law enforcement and private security personnel. The tremendous flexibility of a mounted unit offers incident commanders and event organizers capabilities including rapid response over changing terrain, superior visibility and efficient situation management.
Training
Whether human or equine, all graduates are required to meet strict qualification criteria. Ongoing training opportunities for our graduates ensure continued top quality service to their communities. Instructors serving with the center include those with experience in law enforcement, emergency medical services, tactical operations, wilderness rescue, human tracking, animal tracking, public relations, wilderness survival and education.
Mounts are selected for their personality, physical ability and aptitude, then trained in crowd management, search operations, traffic management and law enforcement operations. Mounts undergo extensive preparation for work in and around large crowds, congested traffic, aircraft, canine units and wildlife. Few people realize that a horse's nose is more sensitive than a dog's. Two of our resident mounts are in continued air-scent training as trackers; one has successfully identified and captured drug dealers, and another has been named a Horse Hero.
Location
The Training Center is based at Surprise Valley Guest Ranch, less than two hours from Santa Fe and Taos within the Santa Fe National Forest and the Pecos Wilderness Area of northern New Mexico. The Mounted Response Training Center and the seven thousand acres of mountain terrain that house our daily activities are surrounded by over two million acres of wilderness.
Coordinates: North 35.818° / West 105.475°
Contact
Your point of contact is Capt. Grant Mitchell at Surprise Valley Ranch. In the event that Capt. Mitchell is directing field operations you may email info@horsepatrol.org or leave a message at 505-425-8028.
Client Comments and Testimonials
We are thankful to have such a resource available.
- Vermont Chief of Police
You guys are fantastic!
- Grand Isle Sheriff, on seeing our graduates and mounts assist in the capture of suspected thieves at an outdoor festival
We're looking at more ways to use your expertise...the chief says you are my best idea ever!
- National Night Out Coordinator
You guys are good, really good... I look forward to working with you again.
- State Trooper