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Author Topic: The Army has realized that horses are no longer good for ‘warfighting’  (Read 87 times)

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Online rangerrebew

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The Army has realized that horses are no longer good for ‘warfighting’
« on: July 10, 2025, 08:56:05 am »
The Army has realized that horses are no longer good for ‘warfighting’
Most of the Army’s horses, donkeys and mules are being donated “to align more resources with warfighting capability and readiness.”
Nicholas Slayton

Jul 8, 2025 9:23 AM EDT
 
Goodbye horses, the Army’s over you.

The Army is drastically scaling back its Military Working Equid program, the Army term for the service’s contingent of horses, donkeys and mules. With a few exceptions for ceremonial horse teams, the equine operations will wind down over the next year at five Army bases, with animals being donated or transferred to private owners, the Army announced last week. Why the drawdown? According to the Army, it’s “to align more resources with warfighting capability and readiness.”

“This initiative will save the Army $2 million annually and will allow the funds and soldiers dedicated to [Military Working Equid] programs to be redirected to readiness and warfighting priorities,” according to the Army’s release. The “warfighting priorities”  were not specified.
 
The Department of Defense currently owns 236 horses, mules and donkeys, which are housed and cared for on Army bases, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ruth Castro told Task & Purpose on Monday. 

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-no-more-horses/
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Online rangerrebew

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Re: The Army has realized that horses are no longer good for ‘warfighting’
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2025, 08:57:05 am »
I'm sure the Army has reserved the right to recall them all - if a federal judge will approve it. wink777
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The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth.  George Washington - Farewell Address

Offline mountaineer

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Re: The Army has realized that horses are no longer good for ‘warfighting’
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2025, 09:24:17 am »
Quote
With a few exceptions for ceremonial horse teams, the equine operations will wind down over the next year ...
I suspect there could be more cuts to "ceremonial" expenditures.
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Offline DefiantMassRINO

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Re: The Army has realized that horses are no longer good for ‘warfighting’
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2025, 09:59:02 am »
Certiain Special Forces units may still need training and skills for using beasts of burden - camels, horses, mules, etc, for operations in remote or rugged areas.
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Online Smokin Joe

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Re: The Army has realized that horses are no longer good for ‘warfighting’
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2025, 10:44:30 am »
Quote from: DefiantMassRINO on July 10, 2025, 09:59:02 am
Certiain Special Forces units may still need training and skills for using beasts of burden - camels, horses, mules, etc, for operations in remote or rugged areas.
My thoughts, too. When my Dad was in Korea, they used pack mules to keep supplies flowing to the troops. The terrain would not allow anything else (except humans packing stuff in), and air drops were virtually impossible with steep terrain and uncertain winds. A small miss laterally could mean the supplies were hundreds of feet up or down hill from where they were.
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Offline mountaineer

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Re: The Army has realized that horses are no longer good for ‘warfighting’
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2025, 11:08:44 am »
Quote from: DefiantMassRINO on July 10, 2025, 09:59:02 am
Certiain Special Forces units may still need training and skills for using beasts of burden - camels, horses, mules, etc, for operations in remote or rugged areas.
Good point.

Capt. Mark Nutsch led the 5th Special Forces Group's Operation Detachment Alpha 595.
The team rode horses as they worked with militia allies to liberate Afghanistan from the Taliban in 2001.
armytimes.com
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