By Chelsea Phua
cphua@sacbee.com
A Folsom police horse is retiring to work with children and disabled people after working for the department for five years, officials said.
Dice (right photo), a former race horse before he joined the Folsom Police Department, will work in a therapeutic riding program run by the Grace Foundation of Northern California.
In a news release, department officials said the rigors of Dice's patrol duties and injuries he had sustained as a race horse were wearing on him.
Dice has logged hundreds of hours in service as a police equine. Sgt. Dirk Regan, who rode Dice and supervises the department's mounted unit, described the horse as a great partner who was "aggressive in enforcement action but especially gentle with children."
"He was uniquely and perfectly suited for his new job at the Grace Foundation," Regan said.
The Grace Foundation, based in El Dorado Hills, rescues and rehabilitate abused and neglected horses, and uses them for learning and therapeutic programs for children.
A retirement ceremony is planned for Dice on Saturday at the Whole Horse Wellness Clinic & Extravaganza event at Murieta Equestrian Center, 7200 Lone Pine Drive in Rancho Murieta. The ceremony lasts from 4 to 5 p.m. at Indoor Arena No. 3.
Call The Bee's Chelsea Phua, (916) 321-1132.
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