Standing at 18.1 hands and weighing an imposing 850kg, Police Horse Vulcan’s grand stature was matched only by his outstanding 20 year career of service to South Australia.
Standing at 18.1 hands and weighing an imposing 850kg, Police Horse Vulcan’s grand stature was matched only by his outstanding 20 year career of service to South Australia.
PH Vulcan, the pride of the Mounted Operations Unit of the South Australia Police, passed away in 2025 at the age of 23 years. The stoic Percheron-Connemara-cross performed over 3000 hours of city patrols and was the unshakeable right-hand marker in dozens of violent protests holding the line of horses together with his staunch but calm and dependable presence in the unpredictable.
PH Vulcan led the Christmas pageant and ANZAC Day parades annually for 9 years, and welcomed new members into the police at over 50 graduation ceremonies. He was the wise, reliable and patient patrol partner for both inexperienced police riders and young police horses.
PH Vulcan was the kind of horse that would do everything that was asked of him with a quiet sense of duty and dignity. He was rarely injured as a testament to his reliability and hardiness. PH Vulcan loved his job.
In 2026 Vulcan will be honoured with an Australian Animal Distinguished Service medallion. This award pays tribute to PH Vulcan for his years of service to the public of South Australia.
