If you visit New York City’s famous Times Square, you might see a police officer on a horse. This officer is part of the New York Police Department’s Mounted Unit, and the horse has been trained to withstand the noise and crowds of the busy streets. Few people know, however, that this historic unit has been policing New York since 1858.

Did you know that the Mounted Unit was based off of the U.S. Cavalry? The cavalry was the unit within the U.S. Army that rode on horseback. After the Civil War, some soldiers returned to New York and joined the police force. The veterans brought their cavalry procedures and traditions with them. Like the U.S. Cavalry, the Mounted Unit uniforms are blue and yellow, and its officers are called troopers.

During the Gilded Age, the Mounted Unit was formalized and became a key part of the police force. It’s important to remember that there were no cars or motorcycles at that time. If people wanted to get somewhere quickly, their best option was on horseback. In the early days of the Mounted Unit, officers’ main jobs were chasing after reckless carriages and runaway horses. Sitting high up on their steeds, police officers could see into crowds. Because of this, they were often on duty during parades or strikes.

Today, you probably won’t see many police chasing after carriages, but some traditions remain. The horses’ bridles and breastplates have not changed since the 19th century. They are also still handmade in the unit’s very own leather shop.

Throughout its history, the Mounted Unit has required a special horse. When it hears a loud noise, a horse’s first instinct is to run. But a police horse must remain calm and trust its rider to keep it safe. It does not mind the hustle and bustle of the city streets—whether the sound of a large truck passing by or the rattle of a jackhammer on a construction site.

Today, the NYPD’s Mounted Unit is made up of many breeds. These horses are usually five to 10 years old when they begin their training, which initially takes about three to six months. During this time, the horses are introduced to different kinds of noises, people, and situations. After that, the horse learns on the job, just like a police officer.

When the horses are off duty, they stay in stables throughout the city. There are stables in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Civilian members of the service (people who are not police officers) take care of the stables and the horses inside. Each horse also has an assigned rider, and this rider is in charge of the horse’s grooming and basic care.

While police cars work well in some places, horses are a vital mode of transportation in New York City. There are over 1,000 parks, and unlike police cars, horses can safely and quickly travel through these areas. They help the riders cover more ground as they search for missing persons or evidence.

In the past and today, the Mounted Unit has held a special place in The Big Apple. Easy to spot, the officer on horseback often gets approached to answer questions or pose for a photo. Like the Empire State Building or Times Square, the unit has played a significant part in New York’s history. A lot of things have come and gone, but the Mounted Unit is still here.