Meet the Philadelphia Police Department's mounted patrol

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - This past Sunday, for the second time in two weeks, an Eagles fan was arrested for punching officers and horses from the mounted police units.

22-year-old Taylor Hendricks was arrested January 13th after he allegedly struck a police horse in the face and attacked an officer after he was kicked out of Lincoln Financial Field.

MORE: Ejected Eagles fan punches police horse, officer, police say

Video of the incident surfaced on social media and shows the incident that occurred just before the Eagles NFC Divisional Round game against the Atlanta Falcons.

A week later, 19-year-old Andrew Tornetta allegedly refused police orders as officers attempted to disperse a crowd in a parking lot ahead of the NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings.

MORE: Man punched police corporal, horse before Eagles game, police say

A struggle ensued, and police say Tornetta punched a corporal's horse twice, and also struck the corporal in the face.

Horses have been used by police departments for decades as they provide high visibility, and officers can see further from atop the horses. Police say they also use the horses as a moving wall to direct crowds, or as a barrier to separate individuals.

This morning, a few of Philadelphia's finest stopped by Good Day Philadelphia to talk about the role mounted units play, and how important they may be this upcoming weekend following the Super Bowl.