{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Mounted Unit: Patrolling on Horseback","description":"In this episode of Behind the Star, we visit the Orange County Sheriff\u2019s Office Mounted Unit to learn what it\u2019s really like to patrol on horseback. Master Deputy Lindsay Gonzalez and Corporal Niko Velazquez share how they joined the mounted unit, what it takes to train for the job and the strong bonds formed between deputies and their horses.  Lindsay and Niko talk about patrol work, crowd control, parades, and how horses play a role in community engagement and search and rescue. They also discuss training challenges, funny stories from the field, and what it\u2019s like when a horse retires. 0:44 \u2013 History and purpose of the unit  2:30 \u2013 Horses: how many, how they\u2019re assigned, and their personalities  7:20 \u2013 Daily care, barn duties, and the reality of poop patrol  10:32 \u2013 Matching horses to events and understanding their temperaments  11:34 \u2013 Where the horses come from and why most are donated  15:13 \u2013 Meet James, Justice, Grace, Alessandro, Pocket Change, Remington, Pete, and Blackjack  29:14 \u2013 Retirement: when, why, and where they go  31:00 \u2013 Law enforcement uses: presence, patrol, and search and rescue  35:12 \u2013 Memorable stories, de-escalations, and the public\u2019s love for the unit  39:20 \u2013 Weird snacks, funny habits, and diva horses  42:00 \u2013 Horses\u2019 intelligence, emotions, and long memories  ","author_name":"Behind the Star","author_url":"http:\/\/behindthestar.libsyn.com\/website","html":"