Nebraska police horse is thrown a retirement party

Blake the beloved patrol horse was thrown a retirement party yesterday
The Omaha Police Department in Nebraska has had Blake for three years
The 18-year-old horse was ridden by officer Nathan Waller
Blake is retiring early due to tender hooves from patrolling on concrete
He will live out the rest of his days on Waller’s parents’ property in Ohio

By Kayla Brantley For Dailymail.com

Published: 21:27 BST, 22 September 2017 | Updated: 21:32 BST, 22 September 2017

Blake, the 18-year-old horse, stands with Nathan Waller, the officer who rode him for three years

Blake, the 18-year-old horse, stands with Nathan Waller, the officer who rode him for three years

A beloved horse named Blake has been quite literally put out to pasture.

The 18-year-old horse celebrated his retirement yesterday with a party thrown by the Omaha Police Department’s mounting patrol in Nebraska.

The party was complete with a cake made of all of Blake’s favorites-carrots, apples and whipped cream all on top of a bale of hay.

But the horse known as the steadiest of Omaha’s patrol horses enjoys the simpler things in life and went straight for the hay instead of the fancy cake.

In a video posted by the department, Nathan Waller, the officer who rode Blaze, brings him out of the stable to his party filled with officers.

Waller told the Omaha World Herald that Blake was a ‘rock’ for the department.

‘There was not really a whole lot that could scare him. He’d be the strong horse that the other horses would look at in a crowd and know they were going to be okay,’ Waller added.

Blake celebrated his retirement with a party thrown by the Omaha Police Department in Nebraska. He was with them for three years

Blake celebrated his retirement with a party thrown by the Omaha Police Department in Nebraska. He was with them for three years

Blaze was only with the department for three years but received his highest honor in 2015 when he was chosen as the riderless horse for a fallen officer’s funeral procession.

He also worked some of the city’s biggest events, including the College World Series, Septemberfest, Cinco de Mayo and concerts.

But Blake is retiring early due to tender hooves caused by patrolling on pavement.

The patrol horse will live out the rest of his days on Waller’s parents’ property in Ohio, where Blaze will join another horse to enjoy retirement with.

Waller said the patrol wanted to give Blake an early retirement, ‘so he can walk on grass, heal up and enjoy himself.’

Blake is retiring early due to tender hooves caused by walking on concrete. He will enjoy the rest of his time at Officer Waller's parents' property in Ohio

Blake is retiring early due to tender hooves caused by walking on concrete. He will enjoy the rest of his time at Officer Waller’s parents’ property in Ohio