1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment

Ceremonial horse cavalry unit of the 1st Cavalry Division, US Army July 2025 Horse Cavalry Detachment, 1st Cavalry Division File:1stCDHCD34.jpg 1972 – Present United States United States Army Cavalry Public Duties 40 1st Cavalry Division Fort Hood Horse Cavalry Detachment "Hot to Trot!" Doc Holliday (dog) CPT Megan Korpiel 1SG Jim Hendrix First Sergeant The Horse Cavalry Detachment, 1st Cavalry Division is an equestrian military unit of the United States Army. Posted at Fort Hood, Texas, it was activated in 1972 and is a subordinate unit of the 1st Cavalry Division. History In 1943, at the height of World War II, the 1st Cavalry Division disposed of its remaining horses. The Horse Cavalry Detachment was activated 29 years later, in 1972.History of the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment http://www.1cda.org/history-1cd-horse-det.html 1cda.org 1st Cavalry Division Association 26 April 2016 In 2014 the first woman to lead the detachment, Captain Elizabeth R. Rascon, assumed command.Fort Hood: Horse Cavalry Detachment Gets First Female Commander http://www.kwtx.com/ourtown/home/headlines/Fort-Hood--Horse-Cavalry-Detachment-To-Get-First-Female-Commander-262950621.html 26 April 2016 KWTX-TV 13 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160512225042/http://www.kwtx.com/ourtown/home/headlines/Fort-Hood--Horse-Cavalry-Detachment-To-Get-First-Female-Commander-262950621.html 2016-05-12 deadKelsey Nancy Bell County 2015 Arcadia 978-1439653852 https://books.google.com/books?id=QHY1CwAAQBAJ thumb|left|Soldiers of the Horse Cavalry Detachment pictured in 2010. It was one of seven horse-mounted units remaining in the U.S. Army.Jarymowycz Roman Cavalry from Hoof to Track 2008 Greenwood Publishing Group 978-0275987268 213 https://books.google.com/books?id=nQDBUgwGae4C On 2 July 2025 the Army announced that the Military Working Equid program that includes the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment will cease operations and associated assets (MWEs) will be transferred, adopted, or donated within one year. The Army stated "This initiative will save the Army $2 million annually and will allow the funds and Soldiers dedicated to MWE programs to be redirected to readiness and warfighting priorities."2025-07-02 Army scales down Military Working Equid program for warfighting priorities https://www.army.mil/article/286815/army_scales_down_military_working_equid_program_for_warfighting_priorities 2025-12-30 US Army en-US In December, the Army announced that this Military Working Equid program will remain active along with the one at Fort Riley.Slayton Nicholas 2025-12-30 Army changes course, decides to keep horses at two bases https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-horses-fort-riley-hood/ Task & Purpose en-US Mission The mission of the Horse Cavalry Detachment is to support the 1st Cavalry Division and Fort Hood by participating in ceremonies and other events; to support the U.S. Army in its public relations and recruiting efforts; and to preserve and maintain the standards of drill and traditions of the U.S. Cavalry during the 1800's. The detachment primarily performs public duties functions. The unit participates in change of command and medal ceremonies, the U.S. presidential inauguration, and represents the 1st Cavalry Division and the U.S. Army in parades, riding demonstrations, and civic events.Whitelaw Ian The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge 2007 Macmillan 031237108X 73 In addition to official state and military ceremonies, it has participated in the Rose Parade, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeos, and U.S. Army recruiting events.Turner Angel 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment http://kdhnews.com/st-cavalry-division-horse-cavalry-detachment/image_8ee01f9e-bc58-11e4-86a8-6f6fd25344a9.html 26 April 2016 Killeen Daily Herald 25 February 2015Who's in the Rose Parade: Keep track of all the floats, bands and horses (and see who won trophies) http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-rose-parade-order-20151231-htmlstory.html 26 April 2016 Los Angeles Times 1 January 2016 Finally, a weekly mounted drill demonstrating equestrian vaulting and cavalry tactics, such as sabre charges, is held for the public by the detachment every Thursday morning at Fort Hood.Romey Alex 2023 The Horse Cav rides on https://www.army.mil/article/267970/the_horse_cav_rides_on army.mil U.S. Army The Horse Cavalry Detachment's mounted drills are drawn from the U.S. Army's 1883 Manual of Cavalry Tactics. thumb|right|A Horse Cavalry Detachment trooper demonstrates equestrian vaulting in 2013. Equipment Armaments and vehicles The 40-soldier unit is equipped with 33 dark bay horses with minimal white markings which are outfitted with Model 1885 McClellan riding saddles that are hand-made by cavalry troopers in an on-site leather shop maintained at the unit's stables. Each of the unit's mounts are trained for approximately one year before being put into action. It additionally deploys 4 mules, a mascot dog (Doc Holliday), a Model 1878 supply wagon, and a M1841 Light Mountain Howitzer. Individual soldiers are equipped with the 1873 Springfield Carbine Trap Door (Breech Lock) Model Caliber 45-70, 1873 Colt Single Action Caliber .45 Revolver, and the 1860 Light Cavalry Saber. Uniforms The Horse Cavalry Detachment is designated by the U.S. Army as a "special ceremonial unit" which allows it to wear specialized, unit-specific uniforms not part of standard Army issue.Deeringer Martha Unbridled Nostalgia at Fort Hood http://www.texascooppower.com/texas-stories/history/unbridled-nostalgia-at-fort-hood 26 April 2016 Texas Co-op Power magazine May 2013 See also Musical Ride (a Royal Canadian Mounted Police equestrian drill) United States Cavalry References 30em collapsed Category:Ceremonial units of the United States military Category:Military units and formations established in 1972 Category:1972 establishments in Texas