The US Army is resurrecting two of its equine programs — its horse-mounted ceremonial units — reversing plans announced last summer to eliminate all but two.
Last year, the Army sought to shutter five equine programs, largely devoted to ceremonial duties, to save money. But the service has had a change of heart about its horses, highlighting the limits of efficiency- and lethality-driven cuts.
Some supporters have said these units serve as valuable recruiting and public engagement tools. The Army appears to agree, acknowledging that the programs can serve as a link between troops and the public. That connection is of increasing importance as civilians are more disconnected than ever from the military.
Now, two of the programs previously set for disbandment — one at Fort Riley, Kansas, and another at Fort Hood, Texas — are set to return, with 22 horses and two mules each. These will join the two major equine programs that were never targeted for closure: the ceremonial units that perform funeral details at Arlington National Cemetery and Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
Col. James Fuhriman, the assistant deputy for Army health affairs, said in a recent press release that “after careful consideration, the Army has determined that retaining these military working equine programs is in the best interests of the force.”
“The Fort Hood and Fort Riley programs will be formally established as Army programs and will serve as a link between the Army and the American people through public demonstrations, educational outreach, and participation in local events,” according to the release.
The proposed shutdowns last year came amid a cost-cutting blitz across the federal government driven by DOGE. The Army estimated the cuts would save roughly $2 million annually.
At the time, some insiders told Business Insider the end of the programs could benefit equine welfare, which the Army has previously struggled with — though oversight may have improved for one previously marked for concern.
Trouble with welfare
A 2022 CNN investigation documented multiple preventable horse deaths within the Arlington National Cemetery unit, the Army’s most prestigious and public-facing equine program.
An internal assessment from the same year identified widespread deficiencies across nearly all equine programs, including inadequate access to specialized hoof care, a critical part of equine health.
That same assessment painted a mixed picture of the two programs now being reinstated. Fort Hood received high marks and was ranked as the Army’s best-managed equine program.
Marks for Fort Riley, on the other hand, were less glowing — that base’s equine unit scored poorly in management and veterinary care. Nearly all Army units, the report found, struggled with inadequate facilities and a lack of specialized equine expertise.
Army spokesman Tony McCormick told Business Insider that the Fort Riley program has since “achieved measurable gains across a comprehensive range of evaluation criteria for equine care” as part of its formal reinstatement, though the Army did not provide specific data.
McCormick also cited increased oversight from a military equine task force and the unit that oversees Arlington’s horses as factors in improving conditions for equines at Fort Riley.
After a yearslong hiatus, the Arlington unit, which has other members who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, has undergone significant changes in recent years, partnering with world-renowned experts, including an Olympic horseman and a champion carriage driver, to overhaul rider training, horse procurement, and daily care practices.
That unit premiered again last year during the state funeral for Jimmy Carter, though most duties include daily funeral services for deceased veterans and troops.
The Army has also created a new equestrian job designator, a move leaders say could help prevent future welfare problems by standardizing training and acquisition under civilian expert guidance. For now, the role is limited to soldiers with infantry backgrounds, though the Army is considering expanding eligibility, McCormick said.
It is unclear whether the reinstated Fort Riley and Fort Hood equine programs will receive additional funding. Civilian equine experts noted in previous congressional testimony that a more flexible contracting process, civilian expert oversight, and comprehensive supervisory changes would be essential for transforming Arlington’s program.
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