Military Horses
Even in this technology era the equine species continues to contribute to America’s Armed Forces .I’ll share a few ways when I return after the break on today’s Open Range. The New York Times bestseller, Horse Soldiers tells the gripping narrative of Special Forces officers who traversed dangerous Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11 horseback and the success they had in battle using ancient cavalry techniques. Stateside at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs horses have become a integral part of the Warrior Wellness Program in mental, physical even vocational rehabilitation. The academy offers a farrier science school that provides soldiers with entrepreneurship opportunities as horse shoers. There are plans for a vet tech accreditation as well. Interestingly the bulk of the academy’s horses are BLM mustangs that have been started by Colorado State Inmates and finished by cadets. Mustangs are the horse of choice according the academy equestrian center manager because they are so trail savvy meaning they can carry visiting dignitaries without much horse experience safely, handle crowd control at events like academy football games. The Horses are used for Operation Purple a riding lesson program for children of deployed soldiers. At the request of generals from West Point, the Coast Guard and Naval Academy the Air Force horse therapy program is now a model for all branches of the military .Remarkable isn’t it that in this era of drones the humble horse still serves our nation.
