MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is trotting out its first-ever sworn mounted unit.

Currently, the deputies train twice a month. 352today got the chance to catch up with them in late September at the Florida Horse Park on Highway 475 to see the equine law enforcement team in action.

MCSO’s mounted unit is commanded by Lt. Mike Joyner. Joyner says it means a lot to him to get the opportunity to lead the group.

“It’s a fantastic honor. I’ve been around horses all my life. I’ve ridden horses all my life. For the sheriff’s department that I’ve been a part of for 26 years to bring forth a sworn mounted unit and for me to be given the opportunity to be the commander of it is amazing,” beamed Joyner.

With Marion County being the “Horse Capital of the World, it seems like a natural fit for the sheriff’s department to have a mounted unit.

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During their training, they emphasize building a relationship with the horses. Joyner says it just takes time. The trust formed between the horses and the rider allow for them to be able to keep the horses under control at events they patrol.

Sgt. Ian Simpson added that personality within the unit matters – riders need to mesh well with the horses. He says more deputies are interested and are trying out to get a chance to be a part of the unit.

For now, there are four horses and six deputies in the unit. An additional sworn deputy is on the unit but will not be riding at the moment. Two civilian employees also work with the horses.

The more time they spend together, the deeper their bond grows. Just like humans!
Lt. Mike Joyner, Mounted Unit Commander

This month, they’ll get the opportunity to participate in the sheriff’s office Halloween bash. ‘A Safe and Spooktacular Halloween Party’ will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 31. The party will start at 5 p.m. and will end around 8 p.m. It will be held at the Circle Square Commons on the corner of Southwest 80th Street and Southwest 80th Avenue. There will be music, games, face painting, prizes, food, and more! This will be a good opportunity to for the mounted unit to put their training to the test. Lt. Joyner says they are looking forward to it and he is confident his team will do great.

The unit practices for hours at a time to be prepared for all different types of environments. Every training, Joyner says he can see the improvements from not only the riders, but the horses as well.

“The riders that are on this unit, I can see their confidence growing every time. I can see the horses’ confidence growing more and more every time and I think that this is going to be awesome. The further we go down the road, the better it is going to get,” said Joyner.