Selected as one of the official parade contingents at the national event, the Mounted Police Mobile Unit marched from the north to the south with 62 horses (including 52 official horses and 10 reserve horses). The journey covered over 1,700km with meticulous attention to detail, as horses are also special "warriors" requiring careful care, nurturing, and training.
From the early days of the march, the constant changes in weather, from the cold of late winter in the north to the dry sunshine in the south, presented many challenges. The unit proactively established a reasonable diet and rest schedule for the horses; using alpha hay instead of fresh grass, combined with bran to supplement nutrition. Stopping points were also carefully planned for the horses to rest, drink water, and have their health checked.
Maintaining a consistent formation with other units is an exercise that requires extensive practice. |
Lieutenant Colonel Le Sy Ha, Deputy Head of the Mounted Police Unit (K02 - Mobile Police Command, Ministry of Public Security ), said: “We consider this a prestigious but also challenging mission. Horses require meticulous care, from acclimatizing to the climate and adjusting their diet to the training process. In the initial phase in the South, the climate is hot and unpredictable, so we prioritized time for the horses to adapt to the environment rather than high-intensity training. To date, the health of both the people and the horses is basically stable, and their morale is very high.”
The horses, with their manes neatly trimmed, all look beautiful. |
Every day, as the sun rises above the trees, the training ground resounds with the sound of horse hooves. Soldiers, their uniforms drenched in sweat, diligently work alongside their horses, patiently refining every small movement. Furthermore, tactical coordination is meticulously planned. In the parade formation, the infantry moves at a pace of 107 steps per minute, while the horses tend to move faster. To achieve synchronization, the cavalry soldiers must practice adjusting their speed, posture, and ensuring seamless coordination between rider and horse. “We have to fine-tune every small detail to ensure the formation is neat and tidy, the speed is stable, and at the same time, we still project the powerful spirit of this special force,” Lieutenant Colonel Ha emphasized.
Practice the movements in place until you are proficient. |
From within the formation, Lieutenant Danh Phuoc Tho, a young soldier from the Mounted Police Mobile Unit, shared: “As a son of the Mekong Delta, born and raised in Can Tho , and of Khmer ethnicity, I feel very honored to participate in the parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. To fulfill this mission, every aspect of preparation must be meticulously planned.”
The soldiers trained with high spirits and enthusiasm. |
For young soldiers like Tho, each training day is a test of their own limits. “There are times when we have to wake up early in the morning to check the horses’ hooves, get fully equipped, and only then begin training. Even seemingly simple actions like standing at attention on the saddle or saluting when passing the grandstand require excellent balance, mastery of posture, and precise control of the horse. It’s not just the rider who needs to be familiar with the horse; the horse also needs to be familiar with the rider.”
The Mounted Police Unit of the Mobile Police Command was established with the task of training and using horses in the fight against crime and ensuring security and order. |
Up to this point, the parade contingent has adapted well to the climate conditions and is in stable health. This is the result of tremendous efforts from the officers, soldiers, and commanders. However, the biggest challenge we still have to pay attention to is the health of the horses.
Despite meticulous care, external factors such as climate and food sources can still have an impact. Some horses show unusual symptoms due to digestive disorders or stress from changes in their living environment, said Lieutenant Colonel Le Sy Ha. The veterinary and horse care staff of the unit have adjusted the diet, created microclimates in the stables, and after each training session, they allow the horses time to rest and relax to reduce stress. As a result, the horses' health is now basically stable. Currently, all officers and soldiers of the Mounted Police Mobile Unit are very excited and ready for the official parade on April 30th, standing side-by-side with the armed forces throughout the army and the entire police force.
The intense training sessions under the scorching sun of 35-37 degrees Celsius caused significant difficulties and exhaustion for both the police officers and the horses. |
When asked about his determination, Tho unhesitatingly said: “I always strive my best to fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party, the State, and the industry. This is not only a personal honor, but also a source of pride for my homeland and the nation. Everyone in the unit is united and ready to overcome any difficulties to contribute to the success of the ceremony.”
Carefully adjust every detail of the equipment on the horse's armor. |
Relax after your workout. |
The horses relax and take care of each other after each training session. |
The horses love to cool off with a bath after each training session. |
This is a Mongolian horse breed, known for its strength, resilience, and ability to adapt quickly to harsh weather conditions. |
Each horse receives 10% of its body weight in grass daily. |
Replacing the horseshoes helps prevent foot deformities in horses during training. |
The cavalry unit during a joint rehearsal with the parade contingents at Bien Hoa airport. |
Source: https://nhandan.vn/ren-vo-thep-giua-nang-thang-tu-post873285.html
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