MSP Welcomes Two New Members to the Family

We are thrilled to welcome two new members to the Massachusetts State Police family. Last week, members of our Mounted Unit drove to Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, to pick up two new horses, Nolan and NASA.

The four-year-old Percheron/Thoroughbred crossbreeds had been cared for and trained by Asbury students since they were foals. As Nolan and NASA graduate from the university’s Equine Studies program, their student trainers do the same.

Upon meeting our newest horses, it was immediately apparent to our Mounted Unit Troopers that the students did an outstanding job caring for these beautiful animals and training them to be police horses. By late afternoon of the next day, Nolan and NASA were getting used to their new home at the MSP’s barn. Next was further training with Mounted Unit Troopers.

The initial MSP training was in the basics: Nolan and NASA were taught how to get on and off our trailers. Next came groundwork exercises, after which they were fitted for bridles and saddles. We used the recent rainy stretch to work with them in our indoor corral, testing their abilities in walk, trot, and canter. They also did some sensory training. The next step will be outdoor training on the trails around Walden Pond.

We are extremely grateful to Asbury University and the student trainers. We know that Nolan and NASA were family to them as well, and that it was not easy for them to say goodbye to these two beautiful animals that they raised since they were babies. We thank them, and hope they take some comfort in the knowledge that we will continue to give Nolan and NASA great care and love, and we hope also that they take pride in knowing that the babies they nurtured are now part of our mission to serve and protect our citizens.

(NASA has the white star on his forehead.)

-30-