WA Parliament Question on Notice regarding the death of police horse 'Hercules' and the use of protective rubber shoes for police horses. The response indicates efforts are underway to provide suitable hoof protection for all horses.

AnsweredQoN 3867Legislative Council
Asked
17 May 2011
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the death of the police horse ‘Hercules’ and the article on this matter published at page six of the
Sunday Times
on 17 April 2011, and I ask -
(1) Is it correct that Hercules was not wearing protective rubber horse shoes at the time of his death because his hooves were too big to fit standard issue shoes?
(2) How many police horses have hooves too big to fit standard issue protective rubber horse shoes?
(3) Following the death of Hercules, will you consider making it mandatory for all police horses to be fitted with protective rubber shoes when on active duty?
(4) If no to (3), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
21 June 2011
Responded by
Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Police
Response time
35 days
(1) Yes. The largest rubber boot (Old Mac Boots) used by the WA Police Mounted Section is a size 10. Traditional steel shoes are the norm in this field of policing. The Mounted Section is one of only a few operational police mounted sections worldwide that has implemented the use of alternative hoof wear for their police horses. The Mounted Section has been attempting to negotiate with manufacturers in the USA to make larger rubber boots without success.
(2) Four. These horses were owned by the Mounted Section prior to the change to rubber boots four years ago. A saddler in NSW is currently designing a rubber boot made specifically for these horses and should this be successful these horses will be provided with them for operational use.
(3) It is the aim of the Police Mounted Section that all police horses be provided with rubber boots for operational police duty.
(4) Not Applicable.
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