By: Samantha Smith
When Tom Kinnee began looking for a new partner for his work as a mounted police officer, he needed a horse with more than ability. He needed attentiveness, willingness, and the kind of steady mind that could grow into a demanding role. He found that partner in Long Heir.
Tom adopted Long Heir through Equine Rescue of Aiken, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization that specializes in sanctuary, rehabilitation, retraining and adoption, and equine-assisted learning.
The adoption process was thorough and thoughtful, with the team taking time to understand Tom’s experience, abilities, and plans for Long Heir’s future. Long Heir stood just 15 hands, but his presence made an impression. Tom noticed that he seemed attentive and willing, two qualities that would become essential as he began his transition into mounted police work.
Tom adopted Long Heir when the horse was three and a half years old. At the time, he did not fully know what it would take to prepare a former racehorse for police work. The process would require patience, exposure, trust, and a willingness from both horse and rider to learn together. “I had no idea what it would take to transition him to police work,” Tom said. “We have learned so much about each other. It has not been pretty but we are definitely bonded.”
Now 8 years old, Long Heir has grown into his role alongside Tom. His work name is Deputy Amadeus, a fitting title for a horse whose second career is rooted in service. Together, Tom and Long Heir serve the citizens of York County in a part-time capacity.
One of Long Heir’s most memorable accomplishments has taken him far beyond York County. He has ridden through Washington, D.C. twice during Police Week, joining more than 100 other horses in the event.
The work of a mounted police horse is unlike many second careers. It asks a horse to remain attentive in unpredictable environments, to trust his rider, and to move confidently through situations that may include crowds, noise, traffic, and unfamiliar surroundings. For Long Heir, the journey from adoption to mounted service has been built one experience at a time.
For Tom, Long Heir is not only a mounted police partner. He also assists in Tom’s work as a riding instructor, helping others learn from the same partnership, patience, and communication that shaped his own retraining.
Alongside Tom, Long Heir continues to serve York County, support riding instruction, improve his liberty riding, and show how far a Thoroughbred can go with the right training and partnership.
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