On Sunday, October 5th, 2025, Cooper, a 13-year-old Percheron and 9-year veteran of the Madison Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit, was rushed to the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Teaching Hospital after showing colic symptoms. Veterinarians discovered intestinal displacement, and Cooper underwent emergency surgery to save his life.

Since surgery, Cooper faces a challenging recovery and remains hospitalized under 24-hour care at UW Veterinary Teaching Hospital. His strength and gentle spirit continue to shine through as he fights to heal, but his recovery will take time-and the costs continue to rise each day he remains in critical care.

In July of 2021, Cooper underwent a similar life-saving surgery. The Madison community rallied around him with incredible support, helping to fund his recovery and cheering him on every step of the way. Thanks to that outpouring of care, Cooper made a full recovery and returned to full duty for several years, proudly serving as a valued member of the Mounted Patrol.

Cooper is more than just a police horse-he’s a trusted partner, a public servant, and a community favorite. Madison’s mounted patrol horses play a vital role in community outreach, search and rescue operations, crowd management, and downtown patrols during busy bar hours. They help keep our city safe while creating positive connections between law enforcement and the community.

Now, it’s our turn to show up for Cooper.

The Friends of Madison Mounted Horse Patrol, a nonprofit organization, is asking for your support to help cover Cooper’s ongoing veterinary expenses. A horse of his size requires nearly double the resources of a non-draft horse, and every donation, no matter the amount, directly supports his care and recovery.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at UW Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Irongate Equine Clinic, and The Horse First Farm for their exceptional care and compassion. We also want to recognize the dedicated mounted officers who stayed by Cooper’s side through the night during his surgery, an incredible show of love and commitment that reflects the deep bond between these officers and their horses.

With your help, we can give Cooper the best chance to make a full recovery and return home to his herd, and eventually back to patrolling the streets of Madison in 2026.

Thank you for supporting Cooper, one of Madison’s four-legged heroes!