Honoring Heroes: The Return of Caisson Horses to Arlington

Arlington National Cemetery is preparing to welcome back caisson horses for certain military funerals. This decision comes after a two-year break, during which significant improvements were made to the horses' living and working conditions. The pause began in May 2023 following an investigation into the deaths of two horses. The investigation revealed poor living conditions for the herd. The Army took this time to overhaul the program, focusing on better procurement, training, facilities, and equipment. Experts in the equine industry were consulted to ensure the changes were effective. The reintroduction of caisson horses will start the week of June 2. Initially, the horses will be used for funerals of service members killed in action, recipients of the Medal of Honor or the Prisoner of War Medal, and senior officers. This limited use is a cautious step towards fully reintegrating the horses into the funerary process. Two squads of 11 horses each will perform two services a day, totaling about 10 funerals per week. Before the pause, the horses were involved in about 30 services weekly. The goal is to eventually have seven squads, but this will depend on the construction of suitable stables. The budget for the military working horses has seen a significant increase. The Army has allocated about $10 million for the program this year. The cost for each squad of 11 horses is approximately $900, 000, covering procurement, training, equipment, and facilities. The Army is taking a slow and careful approach to reintegrate the horses. They want to avoid the issues that led to the pause. Visitors to the cemetery can expect to see the horses on the grounds starting this month. The return of caisson horses is a significant step in honoring fallen service members. It is a reminder of the sacrifices made by these heroes and the importance of treating the horses with the respect they deserve.