US Army buys Virginia horse farm for $8.6M to stable Old Guard caisson horses

Published Aug 18, 07:22 PM UTC

The U.S. Army has finalized an $8.6 million purchase of the Middleburg Training Center in Virginia to house and train the 73 horses of the Old Guard's Caisson Detachment, which support burials at Arlington National Cemetery. The move follows a 2022 internal review that found inadequate facilities at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Fort Belvoir, contributing to the deaths of four horses. The Army considered over 100 properties before selecting the 149-acre farm, which has newer barns and room for over 200 horses. While residents support the Army's improved horse care, they are dismayed by the loss of the region's premier thoroughbred training facility and potential local job impacts. The relocation is part of broader modernization efforts, including a new Army Equestrian military occupational specialty and lighter caissons.