B Troop is inactivated at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., during a ceremony on Feb. 27, 2026. (U.S. Army)
The Army has begun moving horses from three bases directed to save money by ending their equid programs — sending some horses into civilian retirement, others to a new duty station and some into new jobs with Customs and Border Protection.
The Army announced in July that Fort Irwin, Calif., Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and Fort Sill, Okla., had one year to disband ceremonial horse units that brought to life the service’s cavalry history through presentations and community outreach.
Units at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Riley, Kan., were initially included in the reduction but have since been saved.
The Army projected that cutting all five units — which maintain horses, mules and donkeys — would save $2 million each year. It pledged to pump the savings into weapons and training.
That estimate is now roughly $1.1 million, the service said Tuesday.
Though Fort Sill officials are finalizing plans, Forts Huachuca and Irwin have begun rehoming animals and closing operations.
Maj. Gen. Richard Appelhans, commander of the Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, presided last month over a ceremony to formally inactivate the base’s horse unit, B Troop.
“B Troop, your journey from a visionary idea in 1973 to a beloved and indispensable organization is nothing short of extraordinary and has left an indelible mark on our Army and Fort Huachuca,” he said during the ceremony. “The spirit of this troop is now woven into the very fabric of Fort Huachuca.”
Unlike other ceremonial units, B Troop relied on volunteers from active, Reserve and retired military personnel alongside Defense Department civilians and military family members for up to 50 community events each year. It presented the U.S. Cavalry standards of the 1880s and had a Ladies Auxiliary whose members dressed in period-specific dresses and rode sidesaddle during parades.
B Troop had seven horses remaining as of last month’s ceremony. Five have transferred to Customs and Border Protection, the base said. A decision has not been made on the future of the remaining two horses — 15-year-old Sherman and 18-year-old Ben.
Sully takes a water break during a stop near Albuquerque, N.M., on the move from Fort Irwin, Calif., to Fort Riley, Kan. (U.S. Army)
Sully and Bradley take breaks on the road during the ’ move from Fort Irwin, Calif., to Fort Riley, Kan. (U.S. Army)
Fort Irwin did not host a ceremony but has already moved its horses, the base said. Eight horses were transferred to El Centro Customs and Border Protection for duty on the southwest border, two horses went to the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley along with a trailer, and three horses found medically unfit for continued operational service were adopted by local civilians.
The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment kept the horse detachment’s trophies and awards and will put unit legacy items into the base’s Heritage Museum. A decision on what to do with the stables is pending, according to Fort Irwin.
Capt. Patrick William Gurnow, commander of Fort Riley’s Commanding Generals Mounted Color Guard, said that their two additions from Fort Irwin — Scout and Bradley — have transitioned well to their new home and will participate in riding events this summer.
The unit, which honors Civil War-era cavalry soldiers, already had a horse named Scout, so it was renamed Sully in honor of Brig. Gen. Alfred Sully, who led troopers during the Civil War and on the American frontier from 1841–1879.
During the cross-country move, troopers unloaded the American Quarter horses every five hours for 45-minute breaks to stretch, walk and drink water, Gurnow said. Then they had 14 days in quarantine before joining the herd.
“They’ve already made friends with the current horses and are enjoying the Kansas grass and more than 200 acres of their new home,” he said.
Sully and Bradley take breaks along the road during the move from Fort Irwin, Calif., to Fort Riley, Kan. (U.S. Army)
