No it wasn't your imagination, that was a parade of police horses you saw parading down lower Manhattan yesterday. The horses, which hail from more than 12 states, are in town for the police equestrian competition in New Jersey this weekend. Since they were around anyway, the crime fighters and their riders took the opportunity to check out the NYPD's Mounted Unit headquarters near the Chelsea Piers before it moves and then went to pay their respects at a memorial service at Ground Zero.

The NYPD employs about 75 police steeds in its Mounted Unit but is in the process of doubling that number over the next three years. In August we learned that when they retire some lucky police horses get to spend their last years relaxing on a farm with Whoopi Goldberg.

Top and bottom NYPD Horse Parade photos by Jimmy Legs via Contribute.