Horse-drawn caissons with large custom wooden wheels are kept in service to transport the casket. Traditionally, they were used to move artillery ammunition and cannons. The caisson is pulled by a team of specially bred and selected horses purchased or donated to the platoon. The Army’s caisson platoon provides support for military funerals for every branch of service. The soldiers who handle the horses that pull the caisson are trained infantrymen. The Army teaches them to be expert horsemen and undergo training on a special riding style used only by the Army. The horses have to be trained to endure the sound of rifle fire, flags and crowds of people. If you witness a funeral at Arlington, you may notice a horse without a rider among the team. This special horse is led behind the caisson and casket, wearing an empty saddle with the rider’s boots reversed in the stirrups — a symbol that the warrior will never ride again.

[igp-video src=”” poster=”https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/horse-drawn-caissons-with-large-custom-wooden-wheels-are-kept-in-service-to-transport-the-casket.-tr.jpg” size=”large”]Horse-drawn caissons with large custom wooden wheels are kept in service to transport the casket. Traditionally, they were used to move artillery ammunition and cannons. The caisson is pulled by a team of specially bred and selected horses purchased or donated to the platoon. The Army’s caisson platoon provides support for military funerals for every branch of service.

The soldiers who handle the horses that pull the caisson are trained infantrymen. The Army teaches them to be expert horsemen and undergo training on a special riding style used only by the Army. The horses have to be trained to endure the sound of rifle fire, flags and crowds of people.

If you witness a funeral at Arlington, you may notice a horse without a rider among the team. This special horse is led behind the caisson and casket, wearing an empty saddle with the rider’s boots reversed in the stirrups — a symbol that the warrior will never ride again.