FIRE HORSES

Engine 9 of the Los Angeles Fire Department

Fire departments turned to horses for motive power when steam driven pumpers debuted in the mid-to-late 1800s, replacing lighter weight hand-pulled apparatus.

The Detroit Fire Department, for example, organized a "horse bureau" in 1886.

According to the American Museum of Natural History:

``With a quick-hitch harness, a fire horse could be ready to go in less than a minute. This network of leather straps hung from the firehouse ceiling. When the alarm rang, the horse rushed into place underneath. A firefighter released a switch, and the harness dropped down around the horse's body. With three snaps, the collar was closed and the reins were attached to the bit.''

One of the favorite breeds was the Percheron, a carriage horse known for its strength and serene disposition.

According to Equus magazine:

``The three-abreast hitch was popular with fire departments. Interestingly, the middle horse was recorded as the one first to break down and have lameness problems. Once this happened, the entire team was retired, since firemen believed that a replacement in the hitch would be a bad omen.''

In Los Angeles, the fire department purchased horses between three and six years of age trained by breeders, according to the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association. They were given one or two syllable names like Bob, Sam, Izzy, Rock, Rufus and Pete ''to facilitate the horse’s response'' to the driver's orders.