The United States Army is set to reintroduce the use of horse-drawn caissons for funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery, after nearly two years dedicated to enhancing the care and conditions of the horses involved. Commencing on June 2, the ceremonial caissons will be employed for two funerals per day, with a maximum of up to 10 funerals weekly. This marks the start of a cautious revival of a respected tradition to honor veterans and service members.
The reintroduction follows a period of significant setbacks, as the Army grappled with improving equine training, securing better equipment and facilities, and replenishing its fleet of horses after the tragic deaths of two horses in 2022 due to inadequate feed and living conditions. Karen Durham-Aguilera, the executive director of the Office of Army Cemeteries, expressed the importance of the caisson tradition, emphasizing its significance in honoring military personnel at their final resting place.
The reintroduction has been postponed multiple times, with the Army pausing the use of gray and black caisson horses in May 2023 to formulate a strategy for enhancing their health and living environment. The suspension came after two horses from the Old Guard platoon, Mickey and Tony, were euthanized in February 2022, suffering from colon impaction.
Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, commander of the Army Military District of Washington, shared with reporters the Army’s diligent efforts, alongside equine experts, to acquire and maintain horses, improve veterinary care, and provide appropriate training and equipment. Presently, the Army has acquired 46 horses, with 33 allocated into three squads designated for caisson duties.
Initially, two of the fully-trained squads will undertake the funeral responsibilities. The timeline for employing a third squad, and ultimately forming a fourth, remains uncertain, as it depends on sourcing and acquiring suitable horses. The Army is seeking Percheron or Percheron cross draft horses, specifically dark in color and aged between 6 and 14 years.
Over time, with four fully operational squads, the cemetery could perform up to 20 caisson funerals weekly. Despite this potential increase, the number is still below the 30 weekly funerals held prior to the initial suspension of the traditions.
Bredenkamp highlighted an annual expenditure of approximately $10 million for the operation and maintenance of the program, noting that around $900,000 is required to purchase, train, and equip each squad. Cemetery officials revealed that by mid-April, visitors could witness the caisson platoon, inclusive of horses and soldiers, actively preparing for duty around the cemetery grounds.
Investigations into the prior deaths of Mickey and Tony uncovered multiple issues, including insufficient grass in the horses’ turnout fields, consumption of sand and gravel due to poor-quality hay, and overcrowding, as fields were inappropriately housing over 60 horses instead of the capacity of six or seven.
Efforts have been underway over the past year to procure new horses, upgrade equipment, and ameliorate both training and facility conditions, though challenges were more diverse and time-intensive than initially estimated. Bredenkamp noted that all former horses have since been retired and replaced with new ones.
Service members eligible to receive caisson honors include those who were killed in action, recipients of the Medal of Honor, or Prisoner of War Medal, without rank consideration. Additionally, senior noncommissioned and warrant officers, as well as senior commissioned officers, will qualify. Families of approximately 25 service members have opted to delay funerals until the caissons could return to service.
Renea Yates, acting superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, acknowledged that the limited use of caissons might disappoint some families. However, she affirmed that this approach enables the essential reintegration of the working horses and ensures the continued dignified escort of the nation’s heroes to their final resting places.