The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division Caisson Platoon, also known as the Old Guard, leads a funeral procession in December 2016 at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia (Huey D. Younger Jr./US Navy)

WASHINGTON — The return of the military horses that escorted caskets to graves at Arlington National Cemetery for more than 75 years will depend on the military’s ability to secure adequate grazing, repair dilapidated stables and improve the training for handlers, officials said.

Unsanitary living conditions and lack of open space for herd grazing led to an indefinite suspension of the 3rd Infantry Regiment’s Caisson Platoon in May 2023 after several horses died, Maj. -General Trevor Bredenkamp, ​​Commander of the Military District of Washington. said Wednesday during a hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs.

Lawmakers asked for an update on the military’s work to improve horse care and develop a plan for resuming horse-drawn funerals in Arlington.

“Military caisson-pulling horses were dying in 2022 because of the military’s failure to provide adequate food, veterinary care, pasture and stables for the herd,” said Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, chairman of the subcommittee. “Our caisson platoon should be the most elite organization of its type on the planet. »

Known as the Old Guard, the 3rd Infantry Regiment’s Caisson Platoon has been transporting the caskets of fallen service members to Arlington gravesites since 1948.

The caisson – a ceremonial cart that carries the coffin – is pulled by four specially trained horses. Processions are considered an integral part of traditional full honor military funerals in Arlington.

“The Army has not given us any estimate of when or when these operations will resume,” Luttrell said.

Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) makes remarks during a Subcommittee hearing on Disability Assistance and Oversight of Memorial Affairs titled “Our Nation’s Sacred Grounds: Examining Burial Operations of the American National Cemetery for Veterans and Service Members,” in Washington, November 13, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

An Army investigation in 2023 found that the horses were kept in cramped quarters without maintenance or care. The herd was grazing on land filled with construction debris and manure. The horses were consuming poor quality feed and suffering from parasites, the findings showed. Sand and gravel were found in the digestive tracts of two deceased horses.

The issues have evolved over time, said Bredenkamp, ​​who also commands the Joint Task Force in the National Capital Region. They included dilapidated stables, lack of open land for exercising and grazing horses, and handlers with little or no training in working with horses.

“After decades of neglect, the platoon was decommissioned – and rightly so. But families deserve to know that the military is working diligently to return the platoon to its rightful stature,” said Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, the subcommittee’s top Democrat.

Congressman Chris Pappas (D-New Hampshire), makes remarks during a Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs oversight hearing titled “Our Nation’s Sacred Lands: Review of Operations U.S. National Cemetery for Veterans and Servicemembers,” in Washington, Nov. 13. 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Thirty-four families are now waiting for the horse squad to return to honor a fallen service member or veteran with full honors in Arlington, Bredenkamp said. More than 2,000 veterans have been denied the benefit of this iconic procession since the service was canceled, he said.

The Military District of Washington is responsible for full honors military funerals for the nation’s veterans.

The size of the herd — and its health — is directly related to the wait time for families seeking to have horse-drawn wagons in their loved ones’ funeral processions, Bredenkamp said.

The Army is now focusing on land acquisition, horse fitness and talent management. There are plans to secure 100 acres for permanent stables with pasture and staff housing, he said.

About 40 horses have been retired since 2023 due to age, health issues or both, Bredenkamp said.

The Army could seek to change regulations to allow soldiers to stay in the caisson longer than a two- or three-year tour to develop and use their riding skills, he said. The service also identifies a greater number of equine veterinarians capable of caring for the herd.

Although horses have been housed at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia for more than 70 years, there are no open pastures left in the area, Bredenkamp said. There are plans to upgrade the stables at Fort Myer, near Arlington, to use the paddocks when horses work in funeral processions. But the herd will be kept in a larger permanent facility with pasture, he said.

Renovations at Fort Myer will include better ventilation of stables, enlarged stalls and replacement of flooring to reduce pressure on horses.

“Too many of our nation’s heroes were unable to receive the full military funeral honors they deserved due to the Army’s mismanagement of Caisson Platoon military horses for years,” said Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., speaker of the House Veterans Affairs. ” the business committee said in August.

A “haphazard and ineffective approach” to improving the health and living conditions of the herd led to the deaths of military horses, he said.

Bost had requested quarterly briefings on ongoing improvements to the caisson platoon program until it was fully operational.

The Army plans to have a herd of 80 horses to support funeral processions, Bredenkamp said. The service intends to resume operations when it can support 20 funerals a week, he said.

The Army hired a herd manager and a facilities manager, improved the horses’ diet and is temporarily using 10 acres in Virginia to graze and exercise them until a permanent facility is acquired.

“The Army is unwavering in its commitment to continue this solemn duty to those who are eligible and to honor those who have served our nation,” Bredenkamp said. “The horse-drawn box funeral procession is one of the most recognized military traditions.”

Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., said millions of dollars have already been spent to improve the program with poor results, including money paid to an instructor who injured the horses.

“What changes is the Army making to get and care for mission-ready horses? » he asked.

Working with the equine community, the Army is rebuilding its knowledge about horse care and reaching out to breeders who train horses that pull wagons.

“We are looking for horses with the right temperament that can work in a horse driving team,” Bredenkamp said.

The Army also educates troops about the possibilities of working with and training horses.

“Caisson operations require specialized skills in handling horses and conducting ceremonial tasks. To meet these needs, we are actively recruiting Soldiers interested in equestrian work and providing them with the training necessary to become proficient in caisson operations,” Bredenkamp said.

The Old Guard and the equine community are working together to support improving conditions for horses, Julie Broadway, president of the American Horse Council, said in a written statement before Wednesday’s hearing.

She said the Army was also committed to improving the skills of those “entrusted with the care and custody of these iconic horses.”

“The management of the herd of caissons on this historic military installation had deteriorated over the years. Frequent turnover among horse caretakers – the inevitable result of deployments and reassignments – has left gaps in knowledge and experience. In addition, the equipment and upholstery were obsolete,” she explained.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is among the advocacy groups that submitted written testimony affirming their support for the return of horse-drawn funeral processions to Arlington once conditions improve for the welfare of the herd.

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jon Kreitz, an equestrian expert, said photos and videos posted online revealed “ill-fitting harness and unsafe riding practices” that endanger life. safety and well-being of horses and their owners.

These practices were “not the result of malicious intent, but of ignorance and a lack of conscious oversight,” he said.

Kreitz said there is a lack of education about the care required for horses. He cited expensive contracts and the hiring of civilian contractors lacking skills and experience.

Bredenkamp was recently assigned to supervise the caisson platoon to resolve problems, improve animal welfare and provide service, Kreitz said.

“From my first meeting with Maj. Gen. Bredenkamp, ​​it was evident that he understood that the culture of the caisson platoon needed to change from the top down to address these issues,” he said.

“The general came in and did incredible things moving forward,” Luttrell said.

Old Guard soldiers will now complete a 12-week basic rider course. Old saddles and other equipment will be replaced. The box car has also been redesigned to make it easier to maneuver.

“Our veterans deserve the best,” Luttrell said. “It’s long past time for the military to make this a priority again.” »