The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Home for Horses
National Mall and Memorial Parks
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Centrally located on the National Mall, the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center was built in 2023 by the Trust for the National Mall in partnership with the National Park Service and the United States Park Police Mounted Unit.
This sustainable 16,000-square-foot facility was designed to let in plenty of natural light and fresh air, creating a comfortable and healthy living space for the horses. Inside the stables are a heated wash stall, full tack room, and individual stalls outfitted with automatic waterers and flexible floor materials. Outside, the paddock grounds are a mixture of pure silica sand, synthetic fibers, and a specialized wax coating that is dust-free, weather proof, and vvery easy on the horses' joints.
[Captions:]
Each horse stall is roomy and has a window facing the outside.
A custom-fitted tack room holds riding gear for each horse.
The wash stall has running hot and cold water and a non-skid floor.
Inside the stables, skylights provide lots of natural light. Additional sustainable features include:
Storm water runoff management system
Native trees and plants
Energy-efficient ventilation system
Permeable parking lot surface
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Law Enforcement • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 2023.
Location. 38° 53.274′ N, 77° 2.703′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. It can be reached from the intersection of Independence Avenue Southwest and West Basin Drive Southwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC 20004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Visit the New US Park Police Horse Stables & Education Center (within shouting distance of this marker); District of Columbia War Memorial (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named District of Columbia War Memorial (about 500 feet away); Not Forgotten (about 600 feet away); Korean War Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Half a World Away (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Cost of Freedom (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Japanese Cherry Trees (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. District of Columbia World War Memorial (was about 400 feet away, measured in
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 8, 2024
3. Nearby interpretive signage
Why Horses
Horses play a vital role in safeguarding the National Mall. they are ideal for patrolling urban parks, navigating crowds during events, and offering officers a higher vantage point. When they're not working, U.S. Park Police horses enjoy downtime in the paddocks in front of and behind you. Here, you might see them rolling on their backs to scratch an itch or playing with giant rubber balls or other toys. Often, they will just be dozing in the sun. When horses need deep sleep, they will lie down for short periods.
What Makes a Good Police Horse?
U.S. Park Police horses are different colors and multiple breeds, including American Quarter Horses, Percherons, Belgian Warmbloods, Belgians, Hanoverians, and Thoroughbreds. They have excellent stamina, an even temperament and are very tolerant of crowds and loud noises.
Horses play a vital role in safeguarding the National Mall. they are ideal for patrolling urban parks, navigating crowds during events, and offering officers a higher vantage point. When they're not working, U.S. Park Police horses enjoy downtime in the paddocks in front of and behind you. Here, you might see them rolling on their backs to scratch an itch or playing with giant rubber balls or other toys. Often, they will just be dozing in the sun. When horses need deep sleep, they will lie down for short periods.
What Makes a Good Police Horse?
U.S. Park Police horses are different colors and multiple breeds, including American Quarter Horses, Percherons, Belgian Warmbloods, Belgians, Hanoverians, and Thoroughbreds. They have excellent stamina, an even temperament and are very tolerant of crowds and loud noises.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 8, 2024
4. Temporary Signage
Now Open: Education Center at the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables
Join us inside: Visit the Education Center during hours of operation to learn more about the beloved horses and their history on the National Mall!
Thanks to the generosity of its many supporters and partners, the Trust for the National Mall designed and built this new home for the United States Park Police horses. The Trust created a state-of-the-art and sustainable facility, replacing the original temporary stables built in the 1970s, while adding a brand-new Education Center. The project was completed in partnership with the National Park Service and the U.S. Park Police.
The U.S. Park Police Horse Mounted Patrol is one of the oldest law enforcement equestrian units in the United States. Starting in 1934 with a single rented horse, the patrol has expanded to provide guidance, protection, and a friendly presence on the National Mall and beyond.
Join us inside: Visit the Education Center during hours of operation to learn more about the beloved horses and their history on the National Mall!
Thanks to the generosity of its many supporters and partners, the Trust for the National Mall designed and built this new home for the United States Park Police horses. The Trust created a state-of-the-art and sustainable facility, replacing the original temporary stables built in the 1970s, while adding a brand-new Education Center. The project was completed in partnership with the National Park Service and the U.S. Park Police.
The U.S. Park Police Horse Mounted Patrol is one of the oldest law enforcement equestrian units in the United States. Starting in 1934 with a single rented horse, the patrol has expanded to provide guidance, protection, and a friendly presence on the National Mall and beyond.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 199 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
