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Free to a good home: Horses who have served their country
[STRIPES] They have served in a role almost unique in the U.S. military, that of the caisson horse.Caisson horses pull coffins to burials at Arlington, bringing former officers and service members killed in action in America's wars to their grave sites with haunting uniformity and precision. The choreographed procession, led by a riderless horse, is one of the most solemn and stylized rituals in the nation. Kennedy and Quincy performed it about eight times a day, every other week, in every sort of weather. But since they are now unsuitable - Quincy, an 11-year-old quarter horse, is having trouble with his feet because of navicular disease, and Kennedy, a 15-year-old Standardbred, acted out too many times - members of the public have the rare opportunity to adopt a caisson horse. The horses will go free to two lucky new owners, but the vetting process is strict. Smith said that a herd manager from the Army will travel to prospective homes to make sure the horses find suitable places to spend the rest of their days. Applicants can visit the horses on Tuesdays at Fort Myer, the Army installation adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. The six-page application, available online, asks questions including, "How often do you think a horse should be wormed?" and "If you go on vacation, what would you do with this animal? If you had to move, what would you do with this animal?" Posted by: Fred 2016-02-25 |
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