Following the deaths of two of its navy horses used throughout navy funerals at Arlington Nationwide Cemetery in Virginia, the U.S. Military had put its use of horses on maintain for 45 days to implement a brand new plan that overhauls the way it manages the horses in its care.

The commander of the Military Army District of Washington, Maj. Gen. Allan Pepin, informed reporters at a information convention that the horses had fallen sufferer to a scarcity of horsemanship and poor administration, not neglect or abuse. “The challenges we’re going through in our caisson program stem from a lot of cumulative points ensuing from a scarcity of satisfactory services, pasture area, eating regimen, diet, and poor herd administration that date again a few years, since at the least 2010,” he mentioned.

The caisson is the wagon used to haul the coffin throughout funerals, and even with out a casket is claimed to weigh 2,800 lbs. One of many updates to this system contains constructing a lighter caisson. However different maybe much more important modifications will ring a bell with any skilled horse or steady proprietor. The 49 horses of their care will now obtain bodily remedy and there might be elevated employees, together with skilled trainers. This system may even purchase new horses which might be youthful, of an appropriate breed and temperament, and correctly skilled for the duty they’re given. New saddles and different tools might be purchased and routinely fitted, and land might be leased to supply correct turnout. It’s hoped that every one of those modifications will end in wholesome horses for the navy honour that’s bestowed upon America’s fallen troopers.

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