#Saratoga Springs police horses get face shields amid protests

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Saratoga Springs police horses
Saratoga Springs Public Safety

Cops in upstate New York are taking “neigh” chances with their police horses during “aggressive” protests — outfitting the animals with protective face shields.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have had to outfit our mounted patrol unit with face shields for safety,” Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Robin Dalton said in a Facebook post.

A photo showed a horse with a clear shield across its eyes, with a solid protective strip running down the front of its face to its muzzle.

“The horses are instrumental in crowd control, and as the recent protests in Saratoga have become increasingly aggressive, we need to make sure everyone’s safety is protected – from the protesters, to our residents, police officers and police horses,” Dalton said.

Dalton did not give any details on the problematic protests. Many locals, however, were dismayed that such steps had to be taken.

“Very sad when even a police horse needs extra protection from violence,” one woman replied to the post.