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Horses From Around Ohio and the Country are Helping Keep RNC Safe

Veterinarian Gary Goman checks on a Summit County Mounted Patrol horse that's in Cleveland for the RNC
KEVIN NIEDERMIER
/
WKSU
Veterinarian Gary Goman checks on a Summit County Mounted Patrol horse that's in Cleveland for the RNC
Veterinarian Gary Goman checks on a Summit County Mounted Patrol horse that's in Cleveland for the RNC
Credit KEVIN NIEDERMIER / WKSU
/
WKSU
Veterinarian Gary Goman checks on a Summit County Mounted Patrol horse that's in Cleveland for the RNC

Part of the Republican National Convention security detail includes more than 30 police horses and their officers from around the state and from Texas. They are backing up Cleveland’s seven-member mounted unit.  WKSU’s Kevin Niedermier reports on how this team of horses is being kept healthy during their long, hot patrols.

Veterinarian, Dr. GaryGoman, is with the National Veterinarian Response Team which helps take care of working animals at disaster sites and special security events like theRNC. He and other veterinarians are stationed at Cleveland’s mounted police stables where all the horses are being boarded.

Summit County Sheriff's Deputy Alisha Menifee getting ready to start a RNC patrol with Rambo.
Credit KEVIN NIEDERMIER / WKSU
/
WKSU
Summit County Sheriff's Deputy Alisha Menifee getting ready to start a RNC patrol with Rambo.

“Two major things we’re looking out for are heat stress, getting out there making sure they’re drinking sufficient amounts of fluid. Then also watching their feet, working long hours on hard surfaces like this can be very difficult on them.

Have there been any issues so far?

Other than just tiredness everything has been going very well.”

Some of the horses are working 12-hour shifts downtown. Gomansays he and the vets are also looking after an estimated 200 plus police dogs. 

Copyright 2021 WKSU. To see more, visit WKSU.

Kevin Niedermier
Kevin was raised in New Washington in rural North Central Ohio. He attended Bowling Green State University and Ashland College (now Ashland University) before beginning his career in commercial radio news.