Jul 10, 2025

Army ending most ceremonial horse programs; will adopt out the animals

Posted Jul 10, 2025 12:30 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Army is ending most of its ceremonial horse programs.

The Army’s history is closely tied to its cavalry, soldiers who rode into battle on horseback. But it announced Tuesday that it’s moving toward a future without the ceremonial horses and will put most of them up for adoption.

However the service 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 several 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 Trump’s birthday.