September 2022 Issue

Page 22 September 2022 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian! Summer is the Time for Your Horse to Shine! A high protein, high calorie source of Omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, probiotics, enzymes and yeast culture designed to help show horses achieve a soft, silky, shiny and healthy coat. Feed Coat, Skin &Weight Year-Round to Help Your Horse Look and Feel Their Best! SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTH & PERFORMANCE ® Premium Equine Products | A Division of Daniel Baum Company, Inc. 1383 Arcadia Rd., Ste 102 | Lancaster, PA 17601 | 800-992-3147 | www.KA-HI.com 2013 “Our favorite commercial supplement is KAUFFMAN’S Coat, Skin &Weight because of its high omega-3s, high protein, and high microbial count.” ~Solutions for the Skinny Horse, Horse Journal, December 2013 Coat, Skin & Weight TM C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 3.11.21 CSW_ECE_June Devon Horse Show.pdf 1 3/12/2021 3:13:47 PM By Alicia Stephens Martin On any day in Arlington National Cemetery, one may hear the clip clop of hooves and the soft jingle of bridles over the silence as soldiers honor their comrades. The National Ceme- tery is more than a final resting place. Comprised of over 6oo acres, the parcel is sacred ground planted with heroism and sacri- fice since 1866. Fellow soldiers pay tribute by leading a warrior through a field of courage on a final journey to rest in a place suited for our country’s bravest. The sacrifice by these soldiers is towering, and as a nation our homage should be a testimony to them. Today, as funding grows tight, what price tag do we place on the obligation to honor these selfless men, women, and equines? The 3rd United States In- fantry Regiment is traditionally known as The Old Guard. It is the oldest active infantry unit in the Army, serving the nation since 1784. The regiment has many duties. They are responsible for ceremonies like escorting the President, parades, and provid- ing security to Washington D.C. during times of civil unrest or national crisis. This infantry regiment is divided into several platoons that answer a specif- ic call of duty. One such duty performed—the most sacred of duties—is honoring our fallen soldiers by carrying them to their final resting place. The Caisson Platoon consists of men, women, and equine soldiers who respect- fully honor a fallen comrade. The Caisson carries out their duty an average of eight times a day. With each funeral, both soldier and horse seem to solemnly understand that every service is unique to the family, an irreplaceable ceremony and distinctive journey. This duty does not just happen nor is it taken lightly. Experienced equestrians are aware of the difficulty of locating and training a horse to walk securely and not miss a step, no matter what explodes in their path. This is the obligation of the Caisson for both soldier and horse. The platoon ensures final honors for those they carry, more priceless than gold, with a distinction that holds position in reverence and silence. They un- derstand that the men and women who lost their lives—perhaps dropping from planes, taking a bullet, sacrificing for others—are the true heroes. Tom Cotton’s book Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour at Arling- ton National Cemetery contains a library of knowledge regarding The Old Guard and their impec- cable standards. Cotton is a U.S. Senator who served in Iraq and in The Old Guard. “We held our nation’s fallen heroes close to our hearts in Caisson Platoon Honors Soldiers, Both Human and Horse (Continued on page 36)