Whoa, Aslan!-Tori Branard makes a final adjustment to Aslan’s bridle at the Feb. 7 badging ceremony inducting the horse into the Richmond Police Department’s Mounted Unit. As a student at Asbury University’s unique Service Mounts Program in Kentucky, Ms. Branard spent three years training Aslan, a Percheron-thoroughbred cross. Watching is Aslan’s amused partner, Master Patrol Officer Amanda Acuff. Aslan is the fourth horse in the unit and is a replacement for Rio, who was retired in December. The others are Samson, Scooter and Toby. The horses live in a condemned stable near Gilpin Court. The police department is seeking other sources of funding for a new facility after recent bids to replace the current stable came in $1 million over budget. (Clement Britt)
