US Army Revives Horse-Mounted Ceremonial Units at Fort Riley and Fort Hood
The US Army is reinstating horse-mounted ceremonial units at Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Hood, Texas, after initially planning to close them for budgetary reasons. This decision, influenced by the units' significance in public engagement and recruitment, will see each program consist of 22 horses and two mules, aimed at strengthening community connections through demonstrations and outreach. Enhanced oversight and a new equestrian job designator have been implemented to improve equine welfare, though additional funding for the programs remains uncertain.
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The US Army is reinstating two horse-mounted ceremonial units at Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Hood, Texas, reversing plans to close them for budgetary reasons. Initially, the Army aimed to eliminate five equine programs to save approximately $2 million annually.
However, the decision was reconsidered due to the programs' role in public engagement and recruitment. Each program will consist of 22 horses and two mules and will connect the Army with the community through demonstrations and educational outreach.
The reinstatement follows a 2022 internal assessment highlighting management deficiencies in several equine units, although Fort Hood was noted as well-managed. The Army has implemented increased oversight and created a new equestrian job designator to enhance equine welfare. It remains uncertain whether additional funding will be allocated for these revived programs.
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