Before the advent of motorized vehicles, riding on horseback or on horse driven carts and carriages were the main means of transport. He agility and speed of this sturdy-looking but innately timid animal led to its domestication by man centuries ago. Horses are intelligent, instinctual and faithful animals. Their memory, judgment and comprehension skills make them highly amenable to training. 

With passage of time and change in the socio-economics of the society, riding became the monopoly of the army and a handful of rich and adventure loving individuals who used horses for hunting and playing polo. However, of late, special attention is being paid to equestrian sports like show jumping and horse racing. 

The oldest recorded mounted police force is the London Bow Street Horse Patrol, established in 1758.  It patrolled the country roads around London in the late 1830s, following political unrest and rioting, the mounted patrols were increased in numbers and moved into inner London to assist in keeping public order as well as to perform street patrols. 

The idea quickly caught on and spread to rest of Europe, USA and the British Colonies.  The Indian system of modern mounted police is based on the British mounted police pattern. 

Delhi Mounted Police was established during the 1930’s and has grown in use and stature ever since despite all round mechanization of the force.  Police horses have been extensively used in Police training institutions for training officers, for controlling huge crowds during rallies, processions, festivals etc.  They are also used during ceremonial function and in high visibility patrolling in rural and outlying areas of Delhi. 

The sanctioned strength of mounts in Delhi Police is 95.  At present 60 mounts are available with Delhi Police which are deployed in districts and Units (Total at 07 places).  Mounts are used for Law & Order duties, patrolling, duties of VVIP Arrangements, Training sports Activities associated with different All India organization. 

STATEMENT OF MOUNTED POLICE 

 DEPLOYMENT 

During the year 2005, mounts were used for Law & Orders duties for a total of 10173 hours.  On an average mounts are used for either Patrolling or Law & Order duties 4 to 5 hours.  Apart from day-to-day utilization for Law & Order and other duties, training programmes have been organized for Mounted Police with President Body Guards Lines and Veterinary Officers. 

During the year 2006, mounts were used for Law & Orders duties for a total of 10774 hours.  On an average mounts are used for either Patrolling or Law & Order duties 4 to 5 hours.  Apart from day-to-day utilization for Law & Order and other duties, training programmes have been organized for Mounted Police with President Body Guards Lines and Veterinary Officers. 

During the year 2007, mounts were used for Law & Orders duties for a total of 11972 hours.  On an average mounts are used for either Patrolling or Law & Order duties 4 to 5 hours.  Apart from day-to-day utilization for Law & Order and other duties, training programmes have been organized for Mounted Police with President Body Guards Lines and Veterinary Officers. 

During the year 2008 mounts were used for Law & Orders duties for a total of 12384 hours.  On an average mounts are used for either Patrolling or Law & Order duties 4 to 5 hours.  Apart from day-to-day utilization for Law & Order and other duties, training programmes have been organized for Mounted Police with President Body Guards Lines and Veterinary Officers. 

During the year 2009, mounts were used for Law & Orders duties for a total of 1060 hours.  On an average mounts are used for either Patrolling or Law & Order duties 4 to 5 hours.  Apart from day-to-day utilization for Law & Order and other duties, training programmes have been organized for Mounted Police with President Body Guards Lines and Veterinary Officers. 

During the year 2010, mounts were used for Law & Orders duties for a total of 1270 hours.  On an average mounts are used for either Patrolling or Law & Order duties 4 to 5 hours.  Apart from day-to-day utilization for Law & Order and other duties, training programmes have been organized for Mounted Police with President Body Guards Lines and Veterinary Officers. 

During the year dated 01/01/2011 to 20/04/2011 mounts were used for Law & Ordered duties for a total of 176 hours.  On an average mounts are used for either Patrolling or Law & Order duties 4 to 5 hours.  Apart from day-to-day utilization for Law & Order and other duties, training programmes have been organized for Mounted Police with President Body Guards Lines and Veterinary Officers.  

ACHIEVEMENTS IN SPORTS 

1.     SHIVALINK HORSE SHOW – CHANDIGARH 2003 

The team won five Bronze medal in the meet. 

2.                 ALL INDIA POLICE DUTY MEET, HYDERABAD-2004. 

The team won three gold medals and three Silver medals in the meet. 

3.                 DELHI HORSE SHOW, BARAR SQUARE, NEW DELHI-2004. 

The team won one silver and two bronze medals in the meet. 

4.     SHIVALIK HORSE SHOW, CHANDIGARH-2004. 

The team won one silver and two bronze medals in the meet. 

5.                 ALL INDIAN POLICE DUTY MEET, TEKAN PUR, M.P.-2004. 

Delhi Police Equestrian Team won 3 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze Medals and 2 IVth Position in XXIV All India Police Equestrian Meet held at Takenpur Distt. Gwalior, M.P. from 6^th to 12the Dec. 2004 and overall position of Delhi Police was III. 

6.                 ALL INDIA POLICE EQUESTRIAN MEET HYDERABAD (AP)-2006. 

Delhi Police Equetrian team won 2 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze medals and 4 IVth positions and 2 trophies of Best rider & Best rider & Best horse in XXV All India Police Equestrian meet held at NPA Hyderabad from 6^th to 10^th Jan 2006. 

7.     HARYANA HORSE SHOW RAI, SONIPAT-2006. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 2 Ist, 2 IInd, 2 IIIrd and 2 IVth positions in the meet. 

8.                 DELHI HORSE SHOW HELD AT DELHI CANNTT. – 2006. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 1 IInd, 3 IIIrd & 3 IV IVth Positions in the meet. 

9.     CHANDIGARH HORSE SHOW CHANDIGARH-2006. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team won 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze, 3 IVth Positions and over All Championship trophy in the meet held at Chandigarh from 22^nd to 30^th April 2006.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 10.              DELHI HORSE SHOW HELD IN DELHI FROM 22 MARCH TO 1 APRIL 2007. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 7 Bronze and 2 IV  positions in the meet. 

11.             GOOD WORK DONE BY EQUESTRIAN TEAM AT CHANDIGARH HORSE SHOW HELD FROM 5-11-2007 TO 11-11-2007. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 5 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze and 3 IV  positions in the meet. 

12.            DELHI MOUNTED POLICE IN 26^TH ALL INDIA INDIA POLICE EQUESTRIAN MEET HELD AT IMPHAL, MANIPUR FROM JAN. 4^TH TO 9^TH 2008. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 5 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze and 2 IV  positions in the meet. 

13.  DELHI HORSE SHOW HELD AT BRAR SQUARAR DELHI CANTT. FROM 30^TH TO 6^TH APRIL 2008. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze and 1 VTH & 1 VITH  positions in the meet. 

14.  DELHI MOUNTED POLICE 27^TH ALL INDIA POLICE EQUESTRAIAN MEET 2009 HELD AT MADHUBAN (KARNAL) HARYANA 22TH MARCH TO 28 MARCH. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 2 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze and 2 IV  positions in the meet. 

15.  DELHI MOUNTED POLICE IN 28^TH ALL INDIA POLICE EQUESTERIAN MEET 2009 HELD AT TAKENPUR, GWALIOUR (MP) FROM 16^TH DEC. TO 23TH DEC. 2009. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze and 2 IV  positions in the meet. 

16.  DELHI MOUNTED POLICE GREAT NOIDA HORSE SHOW AND NEC HELD FROM 17-3-2010 TO 28-3-2010 AT NOIDA SPORTS STADIUM. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze and 2 IV  positions in the meet. 

17.  DELHI MOUNTED POLICE IN 29^TH ALL INDIA POLICE EQUESTERIAN MEET 2010 HELD AT PUNCHKULA, BHANU CAMP ITBP (HR.) FROM 21^TH MARCH. TO 27^TH MARCH. 2011. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 1 Gold, 6 Silver, 1 Bronze and 3 IV  positions in the meet. 

18.     DELHI MOUNTED POLICE IN 26^TH DELHI HORSE SHOW AND NATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 HELD AT BRAR SQUARE 61 CAVALRY DELHI CANTT. FROM 26^TH MARCH TO 15^TH APRIL 2011. 

Delhi Police Equestrian team secured 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze and 1 IV  positions in the meet.