For more than seven decades, the Caisson Platoon of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," has provided horse-drawn caisson funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia — a tradition formalized in 1948 and rooted in 19th-century military honors.
In May 2023, operations paused after two horses, Mickey and Tony, died from intestinal impaction. A 2022 Army report detailing living conditions contributed to the halt. The report also showed four equine deaths within a year, an aging herd averaging 15-20 years old, and a training system reliant on informal soldier-to-soldier instruction.
"We were doing things the historical way we've always done them, a practice common in The Old Guard," said Army Maj. Wes Strickland, 3rd Infantry Regiment public affairs officer. "It was our nature, and it was coming to that understanding that convinced us to deviate to outside help to get us to where we needed to be."
The suspension triggered a comprehensive overhaul, rebranding the unit as the Caisson Detachment. Tambour Eller, a 34-year veteran of the Army Corps of Engineers overseeing renovations, described the reimaging of the program.
"We're really focused on a horse-first philosophy," she said. "We're trying to specialize the facilities, the training, the equipment — everything — for our horses and soldiers."
The transformation rests on five pillars: personnel, facilities, herd, equipment and training. Following a December 2023 symposium at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, The Old Guard sought assistance from civilian equine experts, including Olympic gold medalist David O'Connor and driving specialist Chester Weber.
"That was the launch point," Strickland said. "We were peeling back layers, uncovering problems, and the symposium streamlined the plan to move us forward."
New personnel included Abby Schul, an assistant trainer with draft horse experience and Army Capt. Kate Dorminey, an officer with pre-Army equestrian credentials.
"I grew up with horses, trained internationally and worked in [Ocala, Florida] before the Army," Dorminey said. "The Army's aligning talent with need — I'm proof of that."
Facility upgrades prioritize horse health. At Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, 10x10 stalls are expanding to 14x14 feet, providing 196 square feet with rubberized flooring and sloped designs for sanitation.
"When horses rotate in, these stalls get sanitized — it's herd health management," Dorminey said. "A 10x10 stall didn't match the industry standard for these wagon horses— you could see it was cramped. Now, 14x14 gives them room to move comfortably, and the rubber footing saves their hooves from concrete strain."
Dorminey said turnout space is a force health multiplier, and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall's muddy lots now feature rubber mats at feeding stations and improved drainage.
"It's better for their feet [and] their well-being — standing water was a nightmare before," she added.
The Fort Belvoir, Virginia, pasture was closed and replaced by a partnership with an equestrian center in Northern Virginia. The center offers 50 acres, as well as rehabilitation tools like aqua treadmills.
Eller outlined additional improvement plans, including interim stabling for two squads at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, near the Memorial Chapel, and a large facility in Loudoun County, which is in development.
"It's about the work-train-rest cycle — pastures where they can truly unwind," she said.
Herd management received a $5 million budget increase, lowering the average horse age to 8-10.
"In the past, we'd say, 'We need 10 horses,' and buy 10 four-year-olds," Strickland said. "Twenty years later, you've got 10 old horses at once. Now, we pair a 14-year-old with a six-year-old — veterans teach the young ones. Older horses mentor their younger counterparts — it's something we've learned as equestrian science evolved."
Veterinary exams and expert assessments ensure mission readiness.
"The horses are professional athletes," Eller said. "We're specifying needs for the mission — sizing, temperament, discipline — so they thrive in these new spaces."
Equipment upgrades began in early 2025, replacing the wooden saddles with lightweight, custom leather saddles.
"There's adjustability — ergonomic for the horse," Strickland said. "It's not just chucking an old saddle on a new horse anymore — each new saddle is fitted to a specific horse in the same way a soldier adjusts their kit or rucksack."
The team also reduced the caisson's weight by 1,205 pounds and added rubber wheels and articulating limber poles to reduce strain on the animals.
"We're designing out friction," Dorminey explained. "The new carriages are like a ruck that's comfortable to carry — mechanics matter more than just weight."
Training has also shifted from impromptu methods to a structured pipeline. A 12-week Basic Horsemanship Course launched in 2024 at a private stable in Lorton, Virginia, followed by a six-week hitch boot camp at an expansive, climate-controlled equestrian sports facility in Ocala, Florida.
"We don't get soldiers from horse backgrounds anymore," Strickland explained. "So, we teach everything — how to walk up to a horse, saddle it, clean a stall."
Over 90 new standard procedures ensure consistency.
"The complexity isn't just riding or driving — it's marrying the two," he added, referencing the three-rider, six-horse hitch configuration.
On April 8, 2025, the Army announced caisson services would resume during the week of June 2, limited to two funerals daily and up to 10 a week.
"After careful consideration and coordination, we are pleased to reintegrate the caisson conveyance into funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery, a solemn and revered tradition," said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of Army National Military Cemeteries.
Initial eligibility includes service members killed in action, Medal of Honor or Prisoner of War Medal recipients, senior noncommissioned officers, chief warrant officer five and senior officers, with fewer than 25 families awaiting services following the pause.
"The caisson represents a powerful symbol of service, sacrifice and remembrance," said Army Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, commanding general of Joint Task Force National Capital Region. "We will continue to honor those who have bravely served in our armed forces."
Eller said training is crucial for preparing the horses and soldiers; the platoon started acclimating horses to the cemetery's hilly terrain and environment early this month.
"We're familiarizing them with the cemetery now — those larger stalls and better pastures are prepping them for this moment," Dorminey said.
Future initiatives aim for seven squads, totaling 77-100 horses. Strickland proposed a horseman's military occupational specialty.
"A 20-week pipeline and we lose them in six months? An MOS could keep them here, passing expertise on," he said.
In addition to enhanced care, improved turnout lots and rehabilitation tools, innovative equipment, like a regenerative braking caisson, remains under exploration.
"We're asking industry to modernize something that looks historic," Strickland said. "The mission is the pageantry. It's like a classic car with a new suspension, which looks the same, but everything underneath is different. The casual observer may not see a change once we resume services, but interested parties need to know that we've introduced revolutionary improvements to prioritize horse well-being. The Army cares about its service animals."
Eller recalled the purpose behind the improvements, "Once we return to service, it's for the fallen heroes. That's why we're giving the horses better facilities, better pastures, better everything."