OFFICER MERLIN
promotional events. A large number of Arizona Rangers are either former law enforcement professionals or ex-military, or in my case, both. As unpaid volunteers, we are personally responsible for all of our expenses, including uniforms, firearms, duty belts, and other equipment. Our primary efforts are geared to supporting various agencies in capacities that will optimize their efficiency in the performance of their duties within the community. Since we never know ahead of time what we may be asked to do, we have to be prepared to respond to all needs.”
John and Merlin during a desensitization exercise.
All training for this course took place at the Tempe, Ariz., Police Department’s mounted unit facilities, through the Mounted Officers Training Association and the Tempe Police Department’s mounted officers. Sgt. Steve Stadel and Officer Cheri Culp were the senior officers in charge of training. Sgt. Stadel is eager to discuss Merlin and Arnold’s performance as a team. “I was pretty impressed!” he responds, “and frankly, I was surprised. For a nearly 22-yearold horse, Merlin was exceptional. He didn’t react to loud
John and Merlin on the teeter-totter bridge.
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noises, close contact or other sensory input during the sensory exercises, and he was always very calm and willing to work, to tackle challenges, and to learn to approach some tasks in a different way. In my experience, Arabian horses are usually hotter than we generally select for our mounted units, but Merlin was calm and quiet. He never overreacted or resisted doing something new. “John Arnold is such a skilled rider,” adds Stadel, “and he had obviously worked with his horse very diligently. The two of them pleasantly surprised me throughout the week.” The list of required tasks the class attempted during the week was daunting, even for an old hand. “My years of experience with Merlin allowed the two of us to communicate better than most,” Arnold says, “and I was amazed by how much he trusted me during actual physical confrontations, where we had to deal with individuals who were resisting or trying to get away. He had been trained his whole life to avoid moving into people, so it took a couple of days for him to understand that it was okay in certain situations. Another eye-opener was that having been around horses most of my life, I never fully realized the intimidation most