(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — When you think of a sheriff, you might think of badges, cowboy hats and even horses. It is that western heritage and culture the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) is bringing back by reinvigorating the mounted unit.

The EPSO Mounted Unit has 13 deputies assigned, one barn manager and one Sergeant, and trains a minimum of ten hours a month. It was first started in 1861, and was formally designated in 1996, designed to support any component of the Sheriff’s Office.

“We have a long and proud heritage and history of this mounted unit,” said Sheriff Joe Roybal.

Over the last few years, it has been less prevalent, but Roybal said he is hoping to change that.

“We’ve actually doubled the amount of personnel on the team this year, and we’re in the process of identifying horses to purchase more horses,” Roybal said.

In November, EPSO hosted a training academy, partnering with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Denver Police. Participants trained on several topics including administrative formations, search and rescue, evidence and fugitive searches, Honor Guard presentations, patrol, arrest, pursuits, groundwork and more.

“We are having one next year as well,” said Roybal. “I have already had a request from the Pueblo County Sheriff to participate in that academy. I think it’s important for all of us to get together and recognize that, you know, we’re all cops. We have a place here with our horses.”

A trained, desensitized horse can be a great law enforcement tool in many different settings.

“A properly trained officer on their equine mount can be equal to ten deputies on foot,” said Chris Herman, team leader for the EPSO Mounted Unit.

Additionally, Herman said an equine handler can see better from on top of a horse and cover terrain they would not normally be able to traverse on foot or in a patrol vehicle.

“It can be very intimidating when you have that horse right up on you,” said Herman. “We can use this for crowd control, we can use it for citizen contacts. We can get in the areas that the normal patrol deputy is not going to take their vehicle, you know, down along creek bottoms, working through different areas.”

Another big reason for bolstering the Mounted Unit is the community impact.

“The second I get on the horse and I walk out into the public, people want to come up and talk to me. They want to see what’s going on. They’re interested in the horses. You know, it calms most people,” Herman said.

The unit helps break down barriers to help the community develop a relationship with those who protect and serve.

“As they come up, they introduce themselves not only to the horse, but to my deputies and realize that, hey, we are very friendly and we are pro-community,” Roybal said.

EPSO is planning to host a Regional Training School in El Paso County annually.