Thames Valley Police will have to make savings of £15m over the next three years

Chief constable Francis Habgood admits it has been difficult to keep the horses, with a projected funding shortfall of more than £4m for 2018/19.

Anthony Stansfeld, police and crime commissioner, said his officers had already had to cope with a £99m cut in their budget in the last seven years.

As a result, a decision was taken in January to use the local precept element of council tax to help recoup some of the funds.

Mr Habgood said: “I met members of the Mounted Section and had a really good discussion with them about the budget, their role and the value they add to policing.

"I was really impressed with their passion and the work they had done to present a case to me.

“I have made no promises about the Mounted Section in the future as with the uncertainty about future budgets that would be reckless, but I can assure everybody that I am working with the team to ensure that any decision is made using the best evidence around their contribution to policing in Thames Valley.”

The average £12 rise will apply to Band D properties, with savings of around £15m needing to be made over the next three years.

Fears that the Mounted Section could be lost have been silenced by Thames Valley Police in recent weeks.

Mr Stansfield added: "We have now reached the stage that any further cuts would have a fundamental impact on the front line.

"Before I made a decision on the level of council tax I sought the views of residents in the Thames Valley and out of 5,600 people surveyed nearly 85 per cent agreed to an increase in council tax to fund policing."