Let's give our career service ponies a HEROES retirement.

The Mingle's featured charity is BLUE LINE PONIES, INC: Blue Line Ponies is a retirement range (we now have 2 locations in North Georgia) dedicated to our country's service horses. This usually includes Mounted Patrol Unit, police horses, prison horses, search & rescue, and border patrol horses. These mature horse age out or are retired due to "lameness" and can easily end up in a kill pen, an abusive home where they are worked until they collapse, or are sold over and over again and are never truly "retired". Blue Line Ponies mission is to love, safeguard the dignity and comfort of our hard working ponies and to continue to provide the best care throughout their retirement. They worked tirelessly working with their human partners and they deserve nothing but the best.

Why do cities have mounted police?
Mounted Patrol Unit's can serve as part of the Special Operations Section supporting the Field Operations Division with crime deterrence and crowd control, Homeland Security Command, Strategic Operations, and other specialized divisions. The added height and visibility that the horses give their riders allows officers to observe a wider area, and it also allows people in the wider area to see the officers, which helps deter crime and helps people find officers when they need them. Mounted police have proven to be very effective in crowd control, especially at large gatherings, such as parades, athletic events, and demonstrations. One officer and his horse can provide more "force" than 10 officers on foot, in breaking up and dispersing unruly crowds and in addition to patrolling large events, mounted police can be utilized during search and rescue efforts. For many people, horses demand respect that might not be given to police cars or policemen on foot.

Why do we have prison horses?
Prison horses work the fields as security, the dog kennels for manhunts, the cattle operation (we are told 10-12k head of cattle ), the horse operations, the Southern border rode by law enforcement both State & Federal and other places including security at the Texas State Capitol. These horses are pure Texas, they are work horses who do not even understand nice slant trailers, commercial feeds, fancy barns etc. If you grew up riding horses on the cattle ranch then you know exactly who and what these horses can do.

Why do we have military horses?
The Horse Cavalry Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division, one of seven mounted cavalry units on active duty in the United States Army, brings to life the spirit of the cavalry by its transformation into a unit from the proud heritage of the United States Cavalry. They are often still called a "war horse", which was often thought of as a huge cavalry charger or a smart officer's mount. But during the First World War (1914-18), horses' roles were much more varied. Their contribution included carrying and pulling supplies, ammunition, artillery and even the wounded. Many nations still maintain small units of mounted riders for patrol and reconnaissance, and military horse units are also used for ceremonial and purposes.

Why did they name it Blue Line Ponies? Good question! The "thin blue line" is a term that typically refers to the concept of the police as the line which keeps society from descending into violent chaos. The "blue" in "thin blue line" refers to the blue color of the uniforms of many police departments. They chose this name because it represents both police and police ponies, and the ideals of justice and freedom.

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Our Promise
Blue Line Ponies promise to offer excellent provisions for helping mature "career working" horses thrive after retirement in this forever home. They expect the retirees in their care will be ages 15-30 (estimated) so extra love is a must. This charity, and their team of volunteers, promise to include love, pets, social contact/companionship, free movement, and stimulus on a daily basis. Horses are very active animals, and running, playing and rolling come naturally to them so they will not be stall bound, they will have woods for shade, shelter in open stalls, and pasture to enjoy during retirement.

Everyone on their team has loved horses since they were children and is 100% committed to this needed retirement service. When asked "why do you do it", the answers are all very similar, "because I am selfish. Being around these magnificent animals soothe my soul and it is MY pleasure, and dream, to help these hero ponies live the rest of their days as Kings....and Queens"

The Blue Line Ponies Retirement Range will be their forever home so please help us provide the finest for our retired babies as they mature, become less confident, and need help. WE WILL BE THERE WITH THEM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.