BRANTE, France - After years of pounding the pavement in the United Kingdom, four-legged veterans of the country's fight against crime are hoofing it across the Channel to kick back under the sun in southwest France.

The rolling green hills of the Dordogne region are home to 22 retired police horses, which are getting their second wind in a sanctuary run by former Scotland Yard officer Roland Phillips.

In keeping with British police tradition, the officers used horses rather than tear gas or water cannon, to disperse crowds.