Until then, they only came in the summer as reinforcements. From now on, the gendarmes and horses of the Republican Guard are permanently present in the Landes. It is in Biscarrosse that the only fixed horse station in the region is located, and their missions are numerous throughout the year.
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At the Biscarrosse Christmas market, the horse patrols attract all eyes. A presence that especially delights the little ones. “My child was playing, he left everything when he saw the horse and ran to pet it“, says a father. A novelty for the inhabitants, because it is only since this year that the gendarmerie horse station has been installed all year round.
Before each patrol, it's the same ritual. The riders of the Republican Guard inspect and pamper the horses. “We take care of them, this allows us to already reconnect with the animal and check that everything is going well in terms of health, that nothing happened during the night and that the horse is fit to patrol“, explains Warrant Officer Jérémy Dacheux, commander of the regional horse station of Biscarrosse.
Before each patrol, the horses are inspected and cared for by the gendarmes of the Republican Guard.
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© Taliane Elobo – France Televisions
Since October, the equestrian brigade, made up of eight gendarmes and four horses, has been permanently based at the Laouadie equestrian center, in Biscarrosse, in the Landes. “The post has existed for several years and only supported the brigades in the summer.“, recalls Jérémy Dacheux. A decision taken as a result of the major fires which raged in the territory in the summer of 2022.
On horseback, you can travel in the forest, in the dunes, on the beaches, where vehicles cannot access.
brigadier-chief of the regional horse station of Biscarrosse
Horseback patrols allow you to intervene in a different way, sometimes more effectively in certain areas. “On horseback, you can travel in the forest, in the dunes, on the beaches, where vehicles cannot accessenumerates the brigadier-in-chief, Marine Pasquini. This makes it possible to cover a larger area that cannot be covered on foot either.“
If they can help with security and the search for missing people, the main mission of the mounted gendarmes is to “fight against environmental damage“. “We carry out hunting and fishing inspections. We are also attentive to anything that will be wild camping and anything that could trigger a fire.“, explains the commander of the mounted post, Jérémy Dacheux.
Patrolling on horseback allows gendarmes to more easily access areas that vehicles cannot.
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© Taliane Elobo – France Televisions
But the missions of the Republican Guard riders are not necessarily concentrated on the Landes coast, as Marine Pasquini points out: “We have already carried out a few missions in Pau, Hossegor, Mimizan and Arcachon. We have to move everywhere.“
During this end-of-year holiday period, the activity of the Biscarrosse horse station focuses mainly on prevention and proximity to the population. “The horse allows a little easier contact with the population“, notes adjutant Jérémy Dacheux. This is true at the Biscarrosse Christmas market.
Patrolling on horseback also allows easier contact with the population for the gendarmes.
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© Taliane Elobo – France Televisions
When the horses pass by, young and old come closer to be able to caress the animals. But even more, the presence of horses is reassuring, as a resident who came for a walk at the Christmas market smiles: “The children are very happy, we can see that it’s magical for them. It's beautiful, but there is also a dissuasive side, it doesn't make you want to be smart and it's difficult to run faster!“
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