A Sacramento police officer with the mounted unit was seriously injured Wednesday during a training session in San Francisco when her horse fell on her, department officials said.
Officer Luanne Holmsen was listed in stable condition Thursday night, according to an official at San Francisco General Hospital.
Mounted unit Sgt. Don Davis said Holmsen is the only full-time female officer in the mounted unit, which patrols Old Sacramento and the downtown K Street Mall. She has seven years of experience with the unit, which is effective for use in crowd control because officers on the horses have a height advantage.
"She's a very experienced rider," spokesman Sgt. Matt Young said. "Unfortunately, anytime you are dealing with large animals, these accidents can occur."
According to the department, Holmsen was attending training organized by the San Francisco Police Department at the Golden Gate Park polo grounds. During a practice formation session, the horse became difficult to control, Davis said.
His back legs buckled and he fell backward, with Holmsen still on him, Davis said.
"We're trying to make do with such a difficult situation," Davis said. "She's an instrumental part of the unit."
