Army Equine Conference

Geronimo's grave at Fort Sill

Last week I was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for the annual Army Equine Conference. This year's conference was hosted by the Fort Sill Field Artillery Half Section. Most of the Army equine units were in attendance including Fort Irwin, Fort Carson, Fort Hood, Fort Riley, Fort Huachuca, and Fort Myers. Only Fort Sam Houston was absent. The conference was also attended this year by the Parson's Mounted Cavalry from Texas A&M University. Texas A&M has a large mounted unit that is manned by the Army cadets there.

The conference is the only opportunity the Army mounted ceremonial units have to get together and exchange information. With turnover high in most active duty units, it serves to provide some degree of continuity for the individual programs. Although there is no overarching authority governing the horse units, the effect of the conference is to establish a kind of standard for program management. As each unit briefs their own program, ideas are transferred and a sort of pseudo standard is established. No one wants to have the program that is out of sync with the others.

The agenda includes operations briefs from each unit as well as guest briefers who discuss issues pertinent to the cavalry. This year we had a brief on horse nutrition and one on the history of Army pack horse techniques. There were also opportunities to visit the hosting post's museums and horse detachment facilities. Fort Sill has several impressive museum displays. One is a fully equipped cavalry barracks, circa 1775 with mess hall and kitchen. They also had an interesting native American display which included Geronimo's saddle and gun belt. Geronimo himself is buried at Fort Sill. Finally, the post has an impressive artillery museum which features a life-size diorama of a horse drawn artillery section.

The final day of the conference included a round-table discussion of specific issues affecting horse units. The participants were given an opportunity to discuss specific details and techniques of rider training, horse training, and tack issues. Many ideas were brought up during the workshop and discussion was lively.

Next year's conference is planned for Fort Myers near Washington D.C.