Posted on Jul 10, 2025
Army will end most of its ceremonial horse programs
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The U.S. Army’s history is closely tied to its cavalry units, those soldiers who rode into battle on horseback. But the service announced Tuesday that it’s moving toward a future without the ceremonial horses and will put most of them up for adoption.
The Army, however, will keep operating the Old Guard ceremonial caisson units at Joint Base San Antonio and Arlington National Cemetery for burial honors.
Ceremonial cavalry units will be closed down at bases including Fort Cavazos in Texas, whose horses were showcased during the military parade in Washington on June 14, which was the Army’s 250th anniversary and also President Donald Trump’s birthday.
Army spokesperson Steve Warren said other ceremonial units will close at Fort Carson in Colorado, Fort Sill in Oklahoma, Fort Irwin in California, Fort Riley in Kansas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona.
The Army estimates that closing down the units will save about $2 million a year, and the changes are being made as part of its overall warfighting realignment, Warren said.
The Army, however, will keep operating the Old Guard ceremonial caisson units at Joint Base San Antonio and Arlington National Cemetery for burial honors.
Ceremonial cavalry units will be closed down at bases including Fort Cavazos in Texas, whose horses were showcased during the military parade in Washington on June 14, which was the Army’s 250th anniversary and also President Donald Trump’s birthday.
Army spokesperson Steve Warren said other ceremonial units will close at Fort Carson in Colorado, Fort Sill in Oklahoma, Fort Irwin in California, Fort Riley in Kansas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona.
The Army estimates that closing down the units will save about $2 million a year, and the changes are being made as part of its overall warfighting realignment, Warren said.
Army will end most of its ceremonial horse programs
Posted from armytimes.com
Horses and Horseback Riding
Ceremony
Money
Posted 5 mo ago
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SGM Jeff Mccloud
If we can afford $80-$100M a year to keep the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels flying, we can come up with $2M for this.
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SGT Aaron Atwood
SGM Jeff Mccloud problem there is those are the Air Force's and Navy's departments; therefore their funding as opposed to the Army's that they throw towards those. Frankly if it was up to our department those two groups likely would've been axed years ago.
Also doesn't help that the Air Force typically has the most money to play with per fiscal year.
I think the real issue is the bean counters and like-minded bureaucrats attached to the Army. They're the same ones who literally robbed my MOS of funds that would've been used to save five units from deactivating over the last three years. They're going after us, they're going after the horses, they're going after our museums... all in the name of giving the appearance that we're putting priorities where they're supposed to be and in easily quantifiable shit that won't be even remotely relevant fifty years from now. God help the Army if they make me a recruiter! I'll openly tell every prospective recruit that if they care at all for any of the above and other sources of America projecting soft power then they need to step out of my office and never come in there again.
Also doesn't help that the Air Force typically has the most money to play with per fiscal year.
I think the real issue is the bean counters and like-minded bureaucrats attached to the Army. They're the same ones who literally robbed my MOS of funds that would've been used to save five units from deactivating over the last three years. They're going after us, they're going after the horses, they're going after our museums... all in the name of giving the appearance that we're putting priorities where they're supposed to be and in easily quantifiable shit that won't be even remotely relevant fifty years from now. God help the Army if they make me a recruiter! I'll openly tell every prospective recruit that if they care at all for any of the above and other sources of America projecting soft power then they need to step out of my office and never come in there again.
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Having Been A Cavalry Reenactor For Many Years I Can Tell You Maintaining Horses Is NOT Cheap.
It Takes Extensive Training For Them To Remain Calm When They Are In Large Crowds.
Horses Eat A lot Of Food And The Prices Have Increased Extensively Over The Years.
Vet Costs Have Also Increased .
Yes ! It Looks Good To See A Horse Color Guard Go By ! But It’s A lot Of Hard Work And Cost That Goes Into That Show.
I Still Have Two Horses On My Small Farm But They Along With Me Are Retired From Reenacting .
I Do Miss Galloping Across A Field With My Saber Glistening In The Sunlight .
It Takes Extensive Training For Them To Remain Calm When They Are In Large Crowds.
Horses Eat A lot Of Food And The Prices Have Increased Extensively Over The Years.
Vet Costs Have Also Increased .
Yes ! It Looks Good To See A Horse Color Guard Go By ! But It’s A lot Of Hard Work And Cost That Goes Into That Show.
I Still Have Two Horses On My Small Farm But They Along With Me Are Retired From Reenacting .
I Do Miss Galloping Across A Field With My Saber Glistening In The Sunlight .
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I'd rather get rid of the Golden Knights.
But in point of fact, I have to point out, as a cavalryman, that not all mounted soldiers are cavalry. Dragoons use horses for mobility, but fight on foot. I think the mounted color guard of the Big Red One draws on that heritage, not on the cavalry. But I don't expect the ignoramuses at the Army Times to know, or understand, the difference.
But in point of fact, I have to point out, as a cavalryman, that not all mounted soldiers are cavalry. Dragoons use horses for mobility, but fight on foot. I think the mounted color guard of the Big Red One draws on that heritage, not on the cavalry. But I don't expect the ignoramuses at the Army Times to know, or understand, the difference.
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