Forging steel hooves in the April sun

Selected as one of the official parade groups at the national event, the Mobile Police Cavalry Regiment marched from the north to the south with 62 horses (including 52 official horses and 10 reserve horses). The journey of more than 1,700km was done with careful attention to every detail, because horses are also special "warriors" that need to be cared for, nurtured and trained meticulously.

From the first days of the march, the constant changes in weather, from the cold of late winter in the north to the dry heat of the south, posed many challenges. The group proactively built a reasonable diet and rest regime for the horses; using alpha hay instead of fresh grass, combined with bran to supplement nutrition. The stops were also carefully calculated for the horses to rest, drink water and have their health checked.

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Keeping the formation distance even with the other blocks is an exercise that must be practiced very carefully.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Sy Ha, Deputy Head of the Cavalry Mobile Police Group (K02 - Mobile Police Command, Ministry of Public Security ) said: “We consider this an honorable but also challenging task. Horses need meticulous care, from getting used to the climate, adjusting their diet, to the training process. In the initial stage of entering the South, the climate was hot and erratic, so we prioritized time for the horses to get used to the environment instead of high-intensity training. Up to now, the health of both people and horses is basically stable, and the spirit of readiness is very high.”

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The horses are well groomed and have beautiful manes.

Every day, as soon as the sun rises above the trees, the training ground resounds with the sound of horse hooves. The soldiers, their shirts soaked with sweat, work hard beside their horses, patiently practicing each small movement. Not only that, the problem of tactical coordination is also carefully calculated. In the parade formation, the infantry moves at a rate of 107 steps/minute, while the horses tend to go faster. To achieve synchronization, the cavalry soldiers must practice adjusting speed, posture and coordination between man and horse. "We have to adjust every small detail to ensure beautiful lines, stable speed, while still demonstrating the strong spirit of this special force," Colonel Ha emphasized.

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Practice the movements on the spot.

From that formation, Lieutenant Danh Phuoc Tho, a young soldier of the Cavalry Mobile Police, shared: “As a son of the West, born and raised in Can Tho , and of Khmer ethnicity, I feel very honored to participate in the parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. To carry out this task, every preparation stage must be carefully calculated.”

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The soldiers trained with high spirit and enthusiasm.

For young soldiers like Tho, each training day is a time to surpass oneself. “There are sessions where you have to wake up early in the morning to check the horse’s hooves, get fully equipped, and then start practicing. Seemingly simple movements like standing at attention on the saddle, saluting when passing the grandstand, also require good balance, mastering posture, and controlling the horse in perfect harmony. Not only do people need to get used to the horse, but the horse also needs to get used to the people.”

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The Mobile Police Cavalry Corps under 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 team has adapted well to the climate and is in good health. This is the result of great efforts from the officers, soldiers and commanders. However, the biggest challenge that we always have to worry about is the health of the horses.

Despite the very close care regime, objective factors such as climate and food sources can still have an impact. Some horses show abnormal signs due to digestive disorders or stress due to changes in living environment, said Lieutenant Colonel Le Sy Ha. The veterinary and horse care staff of the group have adjusted the diet, created a microclimate in the barn area, and after each training session, they take time for the horses to rest and relax to reduce stress. Thanks to that, the horses' health condition is now basically stable. Currently, all officers and soldiers of the Cavalry Mobile Police are very excited and ready for the official parade day on April 30, standing side by side with the armed forces in the entire army and the entire Public Security sector.

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The team practiced under the 35-37 degree Celsius sun with high intensity, causing difficulties and exhaustion for both police officers and horses.

When asked about his determination, Tho did not hesitate to say: “I always try my best to complete the tasks assigned by the Party, the State and the industry. This is not only a personal honor, but also the pride of the homeland and the nation. Everyone in the unit is united, ready to overcome all difficulties to contribute to the success of the ceremony.”

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