Watch: Police Horse Paints in His Downtime

Check out the video at the bottom of this post.

When it’s time to decompress after a long night of protecting and serving, Jacob doesn’t horse around.

The four-legged St. Petersburg Police officer prefers to calm his nerves by putting brush to canvas, creating masterpieces for his human handler Officer Jason Hughes.

Jacob’s unique talent was discovered about four months ago, police department spokeswoman Yolanda Fernandez said. “Not all horses will do it,” Fernandez explained. “For example, Brooklyn, the other police horse, wanted no part of it.”

Jacob, however, seems to have a creative side that just can’t be denied. Hughes discovered that artistic streak by chance.

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“He likes to grab things with his mouth,” Hughes explained on a video released by the department. That got him to thinking, “I bet if I give him a paint brush and put a canvas in front of him he’d paint on it.”

Jacob did just that.

Hoping to foster Jacob’s talent, a “homemade, horse-proof easel” was created and works of art started appearing before Hughes’ eyes.

“He seems to enjoy it a lot,” Hughes said.

So, why bother to teach a police horse how to paint?

Hughes explains it helps keep Jacob challenged while also fostering trust between the two. On most nights, Jacob and Hughes are assigned to St. Petersburg’s downtown entertainment district where large crowds are common. Police horses, he said, have to be friendly and comfortable with attention – traits Jacob has.

While Jacob might not rival Salvador Dali just yet, Hughes is proud of his partner’s accomplishments.

“It looks halfway artistic, doesn’t it,” he asked while taking in a finished work.

Screenshot

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