RIDERS TO THE RESCUE; MOUNTIES GET READY TO REACT IN EMERGENCY.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

During four days of an equestrian training exercise hosted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, law enforcement personnel from a number of agencies bonded with horses as they trained them to stay calm in challenging situations.

Since 1984, the sheriff's Mounted Enforcement Detail has provided an added benefit to officers maintaining crowd control under the most trying of circumstances, including the Los Angeles riots, earthquakes and demonstrations.

``If you were at a really bad accident or an earthquake, a lot of times there are places you couldn't immediately get a car to,'' said sheriff's reserve Patti Jameson.

The training, in which officers from Riverside, Chino, Buena Park, San Bernardino, Murrietta and Los Angeles participated at the Jack S. Bones Equestrian Center in Castaic, culminated Monday with a test of nerves for the horses. Each of the 15 horses were prepared for situations they may have to face in the field.

The horses remained calm during the snapping of firecrackers and while gusts of smoke were blown their way. One horse, 5-year-old Breeze, tripped over its feet during a helicopter landing, but the rider stayed on the horse and rejoined her colleagues in front of the helicopter.

The horses, all individually owned, walked around the arena and stood in a straight line near the helicopter. They were being trained not to be afraid when confronted with loud noises or smoke.

``We are conducting sensory training to proximate the stress a horse will receive when out in the (the field),'' said Tom Lambrecht, assigned to the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau.

The exercise trains the horses to combat their initial instinct to run and trust the riders as they guide them.

``When a rescue helicopter comes in, you don't want the horse to run,'' Lambrecht said. ``If the horse decides to take off, the potential for injury is heavy.''

The Mounted Enforcement Detail includes 35 law enforcement personnel, 10 reserves and six civilian volunteers.

When the detail is needed in specific regions, a primary response group is called. Such was the case with an inmate who escaped from the Pitchess Detention Center on June 7.

Within two hours, the horses and riders were in stand-by mode, ready to partake in the search. However, it was later determined that they would not be needed, said Dave Disbro, who heads the Mounted Enforcement Detail.

Trainer Len Judd said the exercise also focused on trying to develop a sense in the riders of what the horses need.

The riders softly petted the horses, soothing them and building a trust throughout the training.

``Horses are very very sensitive animals,'' Judd said. ``Our job is to get the rider to help the horse calm down.''

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Muriel Wuethrich of Long Beach struggles to regain control of her horse during the stressful training.

(2--Color) Mounted Enforcement Detail leader Dave Disbro, left, sprays smoke to challenge riders' ability to keep their horses calm under pressure.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News