The first time Ike Hammonds saw the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale horses was 13 years ago during tour of the beer-maker's brewery in St. Louis. Their enormity amazed him.

"You've got to be impressed by something that makes the ground shake when it walks by," the Cape Girardeau police corporal said.

For the last two nights at Arena Park, Hammonds has watched over the famous team that was brought here to trot in today's dedication of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.

Eight horses are set to appear in the dedication ceremony, with two others as alternates.

Because the horses are so valuable, they need constant security to watch over them and their gear -- which includes expensive leather harnesses and a wagon. The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales were introduced in 1933, pulling a wagon down Pestalozzi Street in St. Louis with the first case of post-Prohibition beer from the brewery.

For 12 hours, Hammonds stood watch with the team's Dalmatian dog, "Doc," who pretty much stayed out of sight under a stack of crates and cages -- letting out an occasional growl.

Hammonds was told by team caretakers to keep an eye out for any horses who become stuck lying down in the powdery sawdust in their stalls or start acting sick.

"Occasionally, I'll walk through and see one lying down on its side," he said. "And that'll worry me, so I'll shake the bucket to see if he's alert. Then, he'll get up and shake his head all around."

For his concern, the horses -- ever munching or dozing -- didn't seem very appreciative.

They didn't even offer him a beer.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160