COUPLAND – In an era of hightech crime-fighting, sometimes a state trooper’s best resource isn’t a fast pursuit car with four wheels but a sturdy horse with four legs.
That was apparent Thursday morning when the Texas Department of Public Safety unveiled its new mounted patrol unit facility at 12708 Pfluger Berkman Road, evoking memories of the Old West for some guests.
The event at the Mounted Patrol Unit Equine Facility also welcomed the horses and their human partners, including three DPS training academy graduates entering the Texas Highway Patrol MPU.
“Horses have long been woven into the fabric of Texas law enforcement,” said DPS state equine coordinator Maj. Tony Rodriguez. “Their partnership with riders dates back to the Texas Rangers who relied on this patrol as early as 1823. That spirit of mobility, visibility and trust lives on in our land unit today.”
The mounted units are used by the highway patrol for specific law-enforcement tasks around the Capitol and along the Texas-Mexico border, law officers said.
Photo by Emily Treadway The equine patrols use quarter horses for specialized border patrol duty because the mounts can travel difficult terrain while helping with tracking, surveillance and apprehensions.
The Capitol unit uses larger horses, such as Clydesdales, to patrol the Austin complex, providing security for about 60 state buildings and managing crowd control.
The horses are also used in ceremonies for fallen officers and on visits to schools, officials said.
The Austin Police Department also has a mounted patrol unit in Coupland but separate from DPS.
The new mounted patrol facility straddles Williamson and Travis counties and will also be used for training.
DPS Lt. Dustin Gilmore, also a stateequine coordinator, said the complex underwent a complete transformation from an older stable.
“This facility represents more than just buildings and improvements; it represents our future. It positions us to continue to grow and move forward as a more professional and capable mounted unit,” Gilmore said. He also shared his congratulations with the graduating troopers.
“You are stepping into a program that is stronger than ever and we are proud to have you carry it forward,” the lieutenant said.
According to a release, the $3 million Coupland facility occupies 18 acres. The expenditure covers “the land, barn and renovations to the already existing stables.”
The facility includes:
• 20,000 square-footcovered riding arenas, along with stables, offices, a tack room and wash racks
• 48,600 square-foot outdoor riding and skills arena with steel and cedar fencing
• 148,715 square feet of secured paddock area, divided into 18 paddocks
• 165,500 square feet of open pasture Troopers said 21 horses are housed at the Coupland facility. Eight are assigned to the training unit, “while the remaining 13 horses are assigned to the Capitol mounted team,” the release stated.
In addition, seven horses are tasked for border operations in Brackettville, Eagle Pass and Dilley.
