I was struck by the stunning Instagram pic of the mounted officer using his mount to crowd a presumed protester against a vehicle.
At first glance, the photo gives the impression that the officer is about to strike the individual with a riding crop or the like. Closer examination reveals, thankfully, that the “crop” actually is a street light extension juxtaposed just-so to the officer’s hand.
More disturbing to me is that the officer is clearly weaponizing his steed against the helmeted individual. Notice the wildly aggressive look in the horse’s left eye. Because of similar video I saw earlier this week of mounted officers guiding their horses directly at and over top individuals — and only for this reason — I surmise mounted officers as well as their horses are specifically trained for this tactic. I stand to be corrected.
In any event, I think this is a pretty extraordinarily telling photograph.
They train to use the horses a “tools” be it shield or barrier.
I was struck by the stunning Instagram pic of the mounted officer using his mount to crowd a presumed protester against a vehicle.
At first glance, the photo gives the impression that the officer is about to strike the individual with a riding crop or the like. Closer examination reveals, thankfully, that the “crop” actually is a street light extension juxtaposed just-so to the officer’s hand.
More disturbing to me is that the officer is clearly weaponizing his steed against the helmeted individual. Notice the wildly aggressive look in the horse’s left eye. Because of similar video I saw earlier this week of mounted officers guiding their horses directly at and over top individuals — and only for this reason — I surmise mounted officers as well as their horses are specifically trained for this tactic. I stand to be corrected.
In any event, I think this is a pretty extraordinarily telling photograph.
Love the deep read, Neal. I was really taken with that photo and what was going on also.