Vietnam Horses in East Asian warfare

vietnamese clay figurine 10th century. ho chi minh city museum of national history.

although legend of thánh gióng dating far văn lang era mentions war horses, written versions of legend date 12th , 13th centuries, cannot serve reliable source mounted warfare in vietnam. earliest physical evidences of domestic horses has been found in bronze figurines excavated han , tang dynasty burials 2nd 10th centuries when annam under chinese rule.

following end of chinese domination, native dynasties of vietnam continued employ mounted archery counter chinese , champa cavalry. need create non-regular trained , equipped combat force urged lý dynasty open xạ Đình (shooting range) in capital in 1070, members of nobility expected attend , train diligently in art of mounted archery. during reign of lê thánh tông, among 66 ty of household guard, there 7 ty of crossbowmen, arbalestiers , mounted archers. ty unit of 100 troops. among 51 vệ of capital troop, there 1 horse archer vệ , 4 cavalry vệ . vệ comprised 2000 soldiers.

armored horses mentioned few times in army of prince trịnh tùng. prince once commanded 4 hundred armored cavalry repel larger mạc force. in 1592 again assaulted northwest gate of Đông kinh-the capital of mạc foe 5000 elite troops rode on bull elephants , armored steeds.

the rival of trịnh clan in south nguyễn clan based in new frontier limited resources , scarce manpower. able maintain standoff larger , wealthier foe, nguyễn needed every able-bodied man in disposal armed , learned in martial practices. in 1663, nguyễn phúc tần decreed of civilian officials hone archery on horseback. in 1679 constructed new road connect vạn xuân shooting range , thanh lệ station, , erected 2 hippodromes.

well modern era, mounted warriors still trained sword, lance , bows , arrows had 700 years previously. 18th century historian , geographer lê qúy Đôn wrote in national examination established since 1724, cavalrymen required shoot 3 arrows @ targets 100 feet (30 m) away @ gallop. however, firearms introduced, transition cold weapons gunpowder warfare in cavalry branch swift , thorough. lê noted in lifetime, mounted archery no longer practiced. instead horsemen trained shoot targets carbine on horseback while galloping @ full speed. not known why cavalry branch uninterested in taking firearms sooner, though guns , rifles had been common scene in infantry , marine divisions since late 16th century. perhaps shooting on horseback made possible advent of flintlock mechanism in 18th century.

in 19th century, cavalry relegated status of ceremonial troops , messengers. mounted warfare absent in conflicts wars cambodia , siam french invasions.