Caisson horses train constantly for military funerals

Fort Sam Houston among two U.S. Army caisson units

SAN ANTONIO – A team of horses at Fort Sam Houston is tasked with pulling a flag-draped casket on a caisson at military funerals.

The horses are part of the U.S. Army North Military Funeral Honors Platoon at the Army post.

Caisson Platoon Sgt. Shawn Nield helps prepare horses for duty.

"I have a nine-man detail, including a stable master. It's our responsibility for day-to-day care," Nield said.

Nield said the horses are fed, groomed and checked at 6 a.m. due to the summer heat.

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"We are checking for general health concerns. Abnormal breathing, different weight," Nield said.

The horses are cared for with a lot of attention.

"A lot of our cues are physical cues that we use on the horses that have to deal with our legs. Thigh squeezes, the way we sit on the saddle," Nield said.

The bond that the soldiers of the caisson unit have with the horses is unbreakable.

"Six to eight weeks, we run a program from learning the basics of how-to-do balance, foot placement, how to keep body posture," Nield said.

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U.S. Army North stable master Jonathan Deeley helps with the soldiers' appearance and poise.

"When these guys are in wool uniforms, these guys are riding at attention," Deeley said. "These guys operate with pride."

The horses come from across the country.

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About the Author:

Tiffany Huertas is a reporter for KSAT 12 known for her in-depth storytelling and her involvement with the community.