U.S. military working horses will not serve as escorts during funerals at Arlington National Cemetery for 45 days because of concerns about their health, according to Army officials.
The Army’s Caisson Platoon provides horses during the cemetery’s funeral honors, but recent reports have highlighted problems related to the horses’ health and how they are cared for. As of May 1, the cemetery said in a statement last month, the horses will not appear at memorials “to prioritize the health of the herd.”In an email, Army spokesperson Junel R.
The Army in its statement last month said the cemetery would contact families with funerals already scheduled that were expected to include horses from the Caisson Platoon. The cemetery is working on alternatives such as other horse-drawn conveyances and outside contractors, according to the statement.
“This temporary pause will be conditions-based, and will not impact military honors, dependent honors services or any other military funeral honors elements,” it said. “We look forward to the return of U.S. Army caisson horses performing their sacred duty of escorting our nation’s heroes to their final resting place.