Military horses that carry the coffins of America's heroes during funerals at Arlington National Cemetery have apparently been subjected to unsanitary and potentially deadly living conditions.
The disturbing revelations were made after two horses died unexpectedly within days of each other in February, according to a U.S. Army report reviewed exclusively by CNN.
The report indicated one of the horses had 44 pounds of gravel and sand in its stomach. The other died of gastrointestinal illness.
The report showed that horses in the Old Guard, known for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, lived in poor conditions for years -- kept in small, muddy lots with standing water, excrement and gravel and fed poor-quality, low-nutritional hay.
According to the report, one turnout lot had "18-20 inches of mud and excrement with extensive amounts of gravel and inappropriate grade (slope) of the surface," rendering the area "extremely unsafe," CNN reported. Other lots had standing water with algae growth, construction waste and rotted stalls in the barn.
Eighteen inspections conducted from 2019 to 2022 rated the sanitary conditions at the pastures, barns and paddocks as "unsatisfactory," CNN reported. Many of the animals had parasites from infections that were likely brought on by their living conditions.
Soldiers of the Caisson Platoon who were tasked with caring for the horses made "significant efforts" to improve the conditions, but a lack of funding caused difficulties, the report noted.
A senior leader with the Old Guard told CNN that short-term fixes were already underway to improve feeding areas and address the quality of feed coming from suppliers. Improvements to barns and pastures, however, "may take multiple years" the official noted.
According to the Army, horses with the Old Guard have the honor of carrying a comrade for his last ride to Arlington National Cemetery, where he will rest in peace with other honored dead. The horses come to the Old Guard primarily from Illinois, Virginia, Texas and Maryland, as well as other states.
In addition to their duties in military funerals, the horses participate in numerous historic pageants performed by the Old Guard, including the "Spirit of America" and "Twilight Tattoo."
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