The Army has been facing challenges in reinstating the use of horse-drawn caissons at Arlington National Cemetery after two horses died in 2022 due to poor feed and living conditions. The return of the gray and black horses for funerals has been delayed for months, as officials work on improving the care of the horses, buying new horses, and enhancing facilities and training. Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp acknowledged the difficulties in restarting the program but assured that they have every intention to resume operations, although it may take some time to meet the funeral needs.
The two horses, Mickey and Tony, from the caisson platoon of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, had to be euthanized in February 2022 due to colon impaction. An Army investigation revealed that the horses had inadequate access to grass in their turnout fields and were eating low-quality hay with sand and gravel. The fields were also filled with construction debris and manure, and they were not large enough to support the number of horses using them. The Army attributed the conditions to mismanagement, lack of resources, and a poor understanding of the horses’ needs, indicating a need for better training for soldiers caring for them.
To address the challenges, the Army is working on acquiring new horses, finding suitable locations for their care and training, getting lighter-weight caissons, and providing extensive training for soldiers to ride and care for the horses. Ray Alexander, superintendent of the cemetery, highlighted the high demand for funerals at Arlington, with 27-30 funerals a day, and the need for six squads of horses to meet the demand without overburdening the animals. Currently, there are 42 horses being cared for at a professional facility in Virginia, down from 60 horses in the program two years ago, with many having to be retired.
In the absence of the horse-drawn caissons, the Army has been using funeral home hearses or other vehicles for ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. In ceremonies for Army and Marine Corps officers who were colonels or above, a riderless horse has been used, walking behind the caisson. The delay in reinstating the use of horse-drawn caissons has been attributed to the challenges in finding enough horses, appropriate facilities, and conducting training for soldiers. Despite the setbacks, the Army remains committed to reinstating the program while ensuring the health and well-being of the horses.
