As of 2007 the Chinese People 's Liberation Army employed two battalions of horse-mounted border guards in Xinjing Military District for border patrol work . The PLA mounted units last saw action during border clashes with Vietnam in the 1970s and 80s , after which most cavalry units were disbanded as part of the major military downsizing of the 1980s . In the wake of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake , there were calls to rebuild the army horse inventory for disaster relief in difficult terrain . Subsequent Chinese media reporting confirms that the Chinese Army maintains operational horse cavalry at squadron strength in the Mongolia Autonomous Region for scouting and logistical purposes
2008 Sichuan earthquake
2008 Sichuan earthquake
Cavalry