Mounted Honour Guard

The Mounted Honour Guard is part of the Public Security Directorate’s Mounted Police Unit, with roots in the Jordan Armed Forces cavalry. The first cavalry detachment, consisting of 150 horsemen, was formed in 1921 to assist the gendarmerie and police.

The first cavalry school was established in 1950 within the Zarqa army bases. Civil unrest in Jordan in the 1970s prompted the distribution of the cavalry’s ranks to the units of the Public Security Directorate as the PSD sought to restore order and security in the country. In 1975, a cavalry unit was formed in the police training school in Zarqa, where it remains today.

In May 2006 the cavalry unit was renamed the Command of the Mounted Police. The command consists of 150 horsemen and maintains 114 horses, a combination of Arabians and a variety of British thoroughbreds. Its tasks and duties include:

• Formation of the Royal Honour Guard squadron that escorts His Majesty’s motorcade on national celebrations, other events and as per prescribed protocol.
• Security duties including the patrol of cities, forested areas, crowd and riot control.
• Participation in national celebrations and events.
• Training for all cavalry ranks.
• Horse breeding in coordination with the concerned local parties.
• Provision of health and veterinary care for the unit’s horses.
• Participation in national and international equestrian competitions.
• Supply horses and handlers for the production of national and international films and series filmed in Jordan.