Hampton, New Hampshire, Police Horse Tucker Recovers From Major Surgery

🐴 Tucker's behavior and appetite were noticed to be "off" by his caretaker

🐴 He was checked over at the Myhre Equine Clinic in Rochester, where surgery was performed

🐴 He is back at his home farm in Brentwood and preparing for a return to duty

Hampton's police horse, Tucker, is back home after surgery to repair a life-threatening medical condition.

The 14-year-old Tennessee Walker, along with Goliath, makes up the Hampton Police Mounted Unit to patrol the beach and visit events. They also help with crowd control and the department's community relations.

Hampton Police said Tucker's caretaker at the Brentwood farm noticed at the beginning of August that Tucker wasn't himself. He wasn't eating and drinking normally, and his attitude was different. An equine veterinarian was called to examine Tucker, and he was taken to the Myhre Equine Clinic in Rochester for further evaluation.

Tucker was diagnosed with Colic, a condition which caused potentially fatal intestinal strangulation and required emergency surgery. The buckskin 14-year-old Tennessee Walker returned home to complete his recovery on Thursday.

"We are very grateful that his caretaker was observant and for the high quality of care given by his equine veterinarian and Myhre Equine Clinic staff," Chief Alex Reno wrote on the department's Facebook page.

Medical expenses for Tucker are being covered by Friends Of The Hampton Police Mounted Unit, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. They will be making available special  T-shirts to purchase in support of Tucker and Goliath.

The Mounted Unit was created in 1981 by Deputy Chief Dennis Pelletier (Ret).

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH