Italian horse recon group

[easyand]

Recently they reintroduced the horse for recon teams, don't know if it's a good idea, but without doubt, it's silent, it don't need fuel, it goes everywhere and it's cheap!
Every team is made up of 4 horses and 4 soldiers (one is a radio operator and one is a medic).

http://www.protezionecivile.fvg.it/ProtCiv/GetDoc.aspx/6471.jpg

http://www.protezionecivile.fvg.it/ProtCiv/GetDoc.aspx/6470.jpg

[RMRcallum]

wow now thats pretty amazing this for an army to do

[JVeld]

Pretty cool man, is that a Kevlar vest/armor the horse is wearing ?!?!?

[Get_It]

Recently they reintroduced the horse for recon teams, don't know if it's a good idea, but without doubt, it's silent, it don't need fuel, it goes everywhere and it's cheap!
Every team is made up of 4 horses and 4 soldiers (one is a radio operator and one is a medic).
None of them is a veterinary surgeon?:)

Cheers,

[Boina verde]

The Portuguese Army also use units like that in the Colonial War in the 60/70’s. They had god operational results. In countries like A-Stan horse units have god results, just see the US Special Forces use horses in their mission.

http://www.viriatus.com/Dragoes%20de%20Angola%20_01.asp

[Big Lebowski]

i think this is actully a pretty good idea.

very cool!

[AROUETLJ]

What unit is that? From the beret it would seem it's a normal infantry unit.

[Icarus1]

Switzerland uses horses in so called "train" units. They are mostly for transport in very difficult terrain like the Alps.

[MG 3]

It does wonders in the mountains.

[Wamba]

Don't they need a cammo paint job....??? Just kidding!

[Sniffit]

Was used in the swedish army during last years big exercise.

http://www.mil.se/combinedchallenge/images/local/hast3_van.jpg

[Doomhammer]

wow now thats pretty amazing this for an army to do

Its not that amazing to see. Nearly 60 years back in time all European armies used horses for transport and reconaissance purposes.Although motorized units made a quick progress in military tactics, the horse remained vital for transport and recon. Hell even the US Army did have real cavalry units in Germany at the end of World War Two.

Nowadays people think they can go on all terrain with our mighty modern vehicles but sometimes its better to look back at the old ways. A horse requires less logistics than terrain vehicles. It doesnt need fuel or tires.
Plus a horse can go on any terrain and recon units move a lot faster with horses in mountains than with vehicles. Of course horses are vulnerable but they have shown for centuries how worthy they were and still are for the military.

We western people think that we can beat everything with our modern technology. But we have a technology that needs constant feeding from energy sources. And whether you like it or not, our energy sources are diminishing.
So it wouldnt surprise me that people will turn back to to horses for transportation over small to medium distances.

[Doomhammer]

Easyend, Which units use the horses?

[easyand]

These are from "genova cavalleria" (cavalry)

[Doomhammer]

Thanks. Where do they use the unit? In Afghanistan or are they meant for mountain warfare like the Swiss.

[Denat]

Hell even the US Army did have real cavalry units in Germany at the end of World War Two.

I thought that last US Army cavalry units have been mechanized before the WW II ?

[alfigel]

In Austria, riding the horse is mandatory when you're a cadet at the Military Academy (AFAIK), and "Haflinger" horses are also used for transport in the mountains.
http://www.bundesheer.at/images_skaliert/2000_pferde_1200x756_1163694081.jpg
http://www.bundesheer.at/images_skaliert/ps_g1_04_1200x900_1163694071.jpg
http://www.bundesheer.at/images_skaliert/pferd_17_1200x818_1163583545.jpg

[Doomhammer]

I thought that last US Army cavalry units have been mechanized before the WW II ?

Not all of them. I believe there was a Lieutenant Ramsey who led a mounted assault against the Japanese in Bataan in 1942. One of the last cavalry charges in the history of the US army.
In Europe the US army was motorized. But there was one cavalry unit who patrolled in occupiedGermany. I blieve it was a company of the Military Police. However Im not sure.

Even now, Some US Airforce bases have mounted patrols. Because horses move easier in some areas.

[fish&chips]

The Bundeswehr too operates a pack unit for mountain troops. There they use mules as well as Haflinger horses:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h198/xyzkiel/random/bw_tier_muli-001i.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h198/xyzkiel/random/bw_gebtrp_muli-002i.jpg

[Wamba]

http://www.bundesheer.at/images_skaliert/pferd_17_1200x818_1163583545.jpg

The Beauty and the Beast.....I mean the one in the left and the one in the right....

[grey27]

Polish SOF also learn horse riding, some were laughing, but in A-stan many soldiers of other countries had to learn it too - rough terrain, only way to get to some places.

[goat89]

The Israelis made use of the Lhama's during the Israeli-Lebanon conflict. Apparently, they are easier to handle, take care of and make less noise than horses. They looked pretty cute. They were like so confused lol. Anyone know what kind of horse types they use?

[Doomhammer]

Probably locally bred horses. There is no such isreli horse breed. Most horses are from arabic origin in Israel. However Some Israeli police horses look quite big and very European in comparison to middle eastern horses who tend to be smaller and lighter. It wouldnt surprise me that they bought European horses because those animals are bigger, the meaning of this is to make them bigger so they can impress a crowd more.
Another example of daily use of horses by military and police in Israel are the border guard. They patrol the region on horseback because they can move faster on the rough terrain. Anyone has a pic of them maybe?

[Doomhammer]

I believe the Airforce base of Little Rock has a mounted patrol. The Airmen and their horses can cover great aereas with the horses.

[Doomhammer]

Easyend, Do you have more pics of the italian mounted recon units? I wonder what kind of gear they have.

[easyand]

Easyend, Do you have more pics of the italian mounted recon units? I wonder what kind of gear they have.

nothing, and I'm lucky to have these! The presentation of the unit was only few days ago

[Doomhammer]

Thats allright. Very recent presentation then. Hope that unit will have some succes. Because sometimes its easier and more comfortable to cross a few miles of rough terrain on horseback than on foot loaded with a heavy backpack and a rifle and a ton of ammunition. Especially for Long range reconnaissance are horses suitable. You can carry more eauiment and you dont have to carry fuel or spare parts for an engine.

[baifrank]

salute to our friend : horse! and mule....

[Aztec Eagle]

In Mexico we still have a cavalry unit wich is mostly use for parades but its supose to be battle ready,use for recon and logistics,its compose mostly of Mexican Aztec horses,wich is very bueatyfull horse.

Cadet of the Military Academy


http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/album52/bnz.jpg (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/)
http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/album52/baa.jpg (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/)

We even have a presidential horse!!!
Mexico´s President Vicente Fox on horse in hes ranch,a real life Mexican Cowboy.
http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/gobierno/images/gobierno/fox14.jpghttp://www.reachone.com/raindance/Images/Aztecas.JPG

[alexucci99]

sick thread, guys...change it to "horses in the military" and I'll come back every day...keep the pics coming

[axfax]

In Austria ang Germany it`s a very old officer`s tradition to learn horseback riding.
The so called classic officer sports were riding, fencing, shooting

[unpredictable]

And horses are more stealth.

[Atlantic Friend]

Recently they reintroduced the horse for recon teams, don't know if it's a good idea, but without doubt, it's silent, it don't need fuel, it goes everywhere and it's cheap!

Not to mention a lot easier to eat than a light AFV when you've a tad behind schedule in food supplies.

[centa]

Surely if a RPG hit a horse can kill only 1 horse and 1 horseman....
And also we have to under tand that horses are used in little paths were normally put a IED bomb is senseless....normally...

[Oscar panzer]

It seems cool

[MrX]

Very good idea! Try google and read article: "Return of horse soldier" .
But please do not mix pack horse units with "cavalry", recon etc. horse units, it is different thing. Very few years ago People`s Republic of China had 27.000 horse cavalry division (horses had even gas masks!). As for now I dont know, but PRC still has many border guard units in western China, mainly with Uyghurian and other turkish minorities personell, not strictly Chinese (Han).
Marshall Siemion Buddionny of USRR in his late 90 in sixties, told that "role of horse cavalry in III World War will be decisive!!! Who knows? He was very famous in Bolshevik Revolution with his "Horse Army" but after his Horse Army was nearly massacred by Polish cavalry in 1920 Polish-Bolshevik war and next in WWII he lost 1.500.000 soldiers to Germans in southern front, his military genius is disputed. But once again, who knows. In total world war, soon lack of oil etc., future horse cavalry may be the solution...

[sheroo]

In the indian army mules are mostly used in the himalayan region for supplying out posts. Even during the Kargil conflict some 105mm LIGHT FIELD GUNs were transported for counter battery fire.
http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/2959/mainphpg2viewcorekn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Border security force camel corps in the That desert India-Paki border

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6573/bsf261d355sj9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

During parade
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9070/030464cffbxg1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2190/0456652b4aom5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[alexucci99]

those camels look absolutely fabulous

[sergey31]

Russians are coming........
http://www.mil.ru/dyn_images/big17140

[Bricchetto]

Italian Police, wearing historical uniform

http://i10.tinypic.com/43hzeit.jpg

[Bricchetto]

A special carabinieri unit: "Corazzieri" (something like "armoured", as the "iron dress" they wear)
They are President personal guard.

http://i9.tinypic.com/339t275.jpg

[Bricchetto]

Corazzieri again

http://i10.tinypic.com/48r17wo.jpg

Here they are with italian president until May 2006.
Pic taken on italian national parade on 2 june 05

http://i7.tinypic.com/4bfw0vr.jpg

[Bricchetto]

Carabinieri.
On the left of the first horse you can see the little mascotte.
The blue scarf mean: officer (in all italian Army).

http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/9752/050602096mediumdp4.th.jpg (http://img481.imageshack.us/my.php?image=050602096mediumdp4.jpg)

Lancieri di Montebello (modern cavalry unit, equipped with Centauro), in historical uniform

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/8858/050602100mediumep0.th.jpg (http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=050602100mediumep0.jpg)

[Bricchetto]

The "Voloire" (it is not french, it means: bats).
An ancient artillery regiment.
The yellow is the colour of italian artillery.

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/3990/050602101mediumlh3.th.jpg (http://img212.imageshack.us/my.php?image=050602101mediumlh3.jpg)

http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/3482/050602102mediumei4.th.jpg (http://img463.imageshack.us/my.php?image=050602102mediumei4.jpg)

[ende]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=129795&highlight=mounted+units