Fort Sill Ends Historic Horse-Drawn Artillery Program

The U.S. Army has announced it will end Fort Sill’s ceremonial horse-drawn artillery program, a unit that has been part of the post’s public-facing military tradition for more than five decades.

The horse-drawn artillery team at Fort Sill was established in 1969 and has long been used for ceremonies, public events, and educational demonstrations highlighting the Army’s historical roots in artillery operations.

Army Cites Budget and Readiness Priorities

In a statement, the Army said the decision comes as part of a cost-saving effort tied to the broader scaling back of the Military Working Equid program. According to the Army, funding will now be limited to similar programs at Fort Hood in Texas and Fort Riley in Kansas.

Army officials said consolidating the program will allow personnel, funding, and resources to be redirected toward what they describe as core readiness priorities, including training, modernization, and operational preparedness.

Impact on Fort Sill’s Public Tradition

Fort Sill is widely known as the historic home of Army artillery training, and the horse-drawn team has played a visible role in connecting the public with that history. The Army did not immediately provide details on what will happen to the horses or whether alternative ceremonial options will replace the program at the post.

The decision marks the end of one of Fort Sill’s longest-running ceremonial units, reflecting a shift toward prioritizing operational needs over heritage programs amid tightening budgets.

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