Bereden Politie: Fit en Gezond!

WEPtelevisie

27 Feb 201704:19

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses the increasing demand for mounted police, with over 400 deployments per year, leading to significant physical strain and nearly 15% sick leave. It highlights the rigorous nature of the job, including long hours on horseback and the need for both rider and horse to be in top physical condition. The most common injuries are back, neck, and shoulder complaints, often due to insufficient physical fitness. The script also emphasizes the importance of proper saddles for the horses and the unique challenges they face compared to show jumping horses. Initiatives to improve fitness and health among police officers and their horses are mentioned, including training, saddle analysis, and creating a culture of fitness. The script concludes with the passion of the officers for their work and the rewarding bond between rider and horse.

Takeaways

🐎 The police force has increased its use of horses, with over 400 deployments per year.
🚔 The demand for mounted police and their horses has grown, leading to nearly 15% sick leave due to the physical strain.
🎖️ The duties of mounted police are exciting, varied, and heavy, often involving long hours on horseback and night shifts.
🤕 The most common injuries among mounted police officers are back, neck, and shoulder complaints, often due to insufficient physical fitness.
🏇 Horses in police service are also heavily burdened, with specialists ensuring they are well-equipped for their tasks.
🛠️ The importance of a good, sturdy saddle for police horses is emphasized due to the heavy gear they carry.
🏋️‍♂️ The physical demands on both riders and horses are significant, with the need for top sport-level conditioning.
🌍 The work environment for mounted police is unpredictable, requiring constant readiness for any situation that may arise.
🏥 Efforts are being made to improve the physical fitness and mental health of mounted police officers through training and support.
🏆 The passion of the officers for their work is evident, with a strong commitment to the welfare of their horses and the service they provide.

Q & A

How many horses are being used annually according to the script?
-The script mentions that more than 400 horses are being used annually.
What is the rate of sick leave among the horse riders mentioned in the transcript?
-The sick leave rate is nearly 15%.
What are the most common types of injuries among the horse riders?
-The most common injuries are back, neck, and shoulder complaints, often caused by insufficient physical fitness of the core muscles.
What is the significance of a good saddle for police horses?
-A good saddle with a sturdy girth is important for police horses because they carry heavy loads and need to be able to sustain fast galloping without the saddle quickly becoming defective.
How do police horses differ from top dressage horses in terms of their training and capabilities?
-Police horses need to be able to navigate various surfaces, such as curbs and different types of stones, which can cause slipping. This requires different capacities and skills compared to top dressage horses that perform on a beautifully prepared arena floor.
What is the physical and mental toll on the riders as described in the script?
-The script describes the physical toll as significant, with riders enduring long hours on horseback and night shifts. Mentally, they must always be prepared for unpredictable situations.
What measures are taken to ensure the physical fitness of the police riders?
-Measures include core stability and training sessions, saddle analyses, and creating a culture that promotes fitness.
Who is Marjolein van Dieren and what did she observe in 2011?
-Marjolein van Dieren observed that many colleagues had physical complaints due to the heavy work. She sought practical solutions and brought in an expert from England for a rider analysis to help colleagues stay fit.
What role do the horses play in the emotional well-being of the riders?
-The horses are not only a means of work but also provide emotional support. The script mentions that riders feel rewarded when their horses help them at work and are there for them when they return home.
How do the riders prepare for their work with the horses?
-The riders prepare by doing warm-ups, including loosening up the horses with some loose stepping, which is also seen as a warm-up for the riders themselves.
What is the ultimate reward for the riders as mentioned in the script?
-The ultimate reward for the riders is the recognition and help their horses provide them in their work, and the sense of accomplishment when their horses assist them, as it is described as a 'beautiful reward' for their efforts.

Outlines

00:00

🐎 Increasing Demand and Challenges for Police Equestrian Units

The speaker discusses the growing demand for police equestrian units, with over 400 deployments per year, leading to a 15% sick leave rate due to the physical strain on both the horse and rider. The duties of mounted police are described as exciting and varied but also physically demanding, with riders often enduring long hours and night shifts on horseback. Common injuries include back, neck, and shoulder complaints, often due to insufficient physical fitness of the core muscles. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being prepared for any situation, as the timing of critical incidents is unpredictable. The physical load on the riders is significant, and the horses are also heavily burdened, requiring specialized equipment such as a sturdy saddle to withstand heavy gear. The horses must be able to perform at high levels, including galloping on streets with various surfaces that can be slippery, which is a stark contrast to the controlled environment of a dressage arena. The speaker also touches on the broader police force's efforts to maintain physical and mental fitness, including training, saddle fit analysis, and creating a culture that promotes health and fitness.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Rider

A rider in the context of the video refers to a police officer who is part of the mounted police unit. Riders are responsible for patrolling on horseback, which requires a unique set of skills and physical fitness. The script mentions the physical demands on riders, such as enduring long hours on a horse and the need for high levels of fitness to manage the strain of the job.

💡Horse

Horses in this video are the animals used by the mounted police for patrolling and crowd control. They are an essential part of the police force, requiring specialized care and training to perform their duties. The script discusses the heavy burden on horses, including the physical stress of galloping and the need for durable saddles to withstand the weight of equipment.

💡Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is a central theme in the video, emphasizing the importance for both riders and horses to be in top condition to perform their duties. The script highlights the common injuries such as back, neck, and shoulder complaints due to insufficient physical fitness, especially in the core muscles which are crucial for stability while riding.

💡Mounted Police

The mounted police is a specialized unit within the police force that uses horses for various tasks such as crowd control, patrolling, and ceremonial duties. The video script describes the exciting but challenging nature of their work, which involves long hours and the need for both the riders and horses to be in excellent physical condition.

💡Injuries

Injuries are mentioned in the context of the physical toll that the job takes on both riders and horses. The script specifies that the most common injuries for riders are related to the back, neck, and shoulders, often due to inadequate physical fitness, which is critical for withstanding the rigors of riding.

💡Training

Training is a key aspect of preparing both riders and horses for their roles within the mounted police. The script discusses the importance of training for riders to maintain physical fitness and for horses to be conditioned for the specific demands of police work, such as navigating various terrains and responding to commands.

💡Ceremony

Ceremonial duties are part of the responsibilities of the mounted police, as mentioned in the context of 'Prinsjesdag' (Prince's Day) in the script. These duties require a high level of discipline and presentation, showcasing the skills and readiness of the mounted police and their horses.

💡Equipment

Equipment in the video refers to the gear and saddles used by the mounted police. The script emphasizes the importance of having a sturdy and well-fitted saddle to support the heavy loads that horses carry during their duties, which can include police gear and the rider.

💡Stress

Stress is discussed in relation to the physical demands placed on both riders and horses. The script describes how the job can be strenuous, with riders and horses often working long hours and being prepared for unpredictable situations, which can be mentally and physically taxing.

💡Health

Health is a recurring theme, particularly concerning the well-being of the horses. The script mentions the need for specialists to ensure that the horses are in optimal condition for their tasks, which includes not only physical health but also considerations for their workload and the potential for injury.

💡Passion

Passion is evident in the script as it describes the dedication of the riders towards their work and the horses. It is highlighted that many riders have a deep affection for their horses and take pride in the work they do together, which is seen as a rewarding aspect of their job.

Highlights

More than 400 horse and rider deployments per year are increasing annually.

Sickness absence is nearly 15%, highlighting the demanding nature of the job.

Large-scale appearances and frequent deployments are part of the police horse riders' exciting and varied duties.

Riders face physical strain, often working long hours on horseback and during night shifts.

Common injuries include back, neck, and shoulder complaints due to insufficient physical fitness.

Riders and horses must be prepared for any situation, as they never know when a critical moment will occur.

The literal load on the rider is heavy, with the horse also bearing a significant burden.

Specialists ensure that horses are perfectly equipped for their tasks.

Police horses require a good, sturdy saddle due to the heavy gear they carry.

Horses may have to gallop hard on the streets, which is a high demand that cannot be compared to show jumping horses.

Police horses need to be able to navigate various surfaces, including curbs, which can be slippery.

The police force aims to get both physically and mentally in top condition, focusing on fitness and horse riding.

Much work is done on horse riding, including gait analysis and training sessions.

Health, weight, and creating a culture of fitness are also important aspects of the job.

In 2011, Marjolein van Dijk found that many colleagues had physical complaints due to heavy work.

Practical solutions were sought, including a rider analysis from an expert in England to help colleagues stay fit.

Warm-up exercises for both riders and horses are part of the training routine.

Many colleagues are passionate about their work and appreciate the help their horses provide on the streets.

The reward of coming home to a horse that has helped you through the day is a great feeling.