Unit Operations

The First Cavalry Division’s Horse Cavalry Detachment, based at Fort Hood, Texas, is one of seven mounted cavalry units on Active Duty in the United States Army. The Detachment’s representation of the U.S. Cavalry from the Indian Wars period makes it unique amongst those units. Our mission is three-fold: To represent the 1st Cavalry Division and the U.S. Army in public appearances throughout the country; to assist in recruiting by demonstrating the professionalism of today's soldier; and to maintain the proud traditions forged by the cavalry in our country's colorful history.

There is at least one soldier manning the Detachment's barn 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You are welcome to stop by and take a tour of our facilities at any time. To get directions to the Barn, click here. You don't have to actually enter the Ft Hood Gate, so you won't need a vehicle pass and our facilities are open to the public.

Unit Composition and Capabilities

Since its inception in 1972, the Detachment has appeared in 3 Presidential Inaugural Parades, six Tournament of Roses Parades, the 1984 World's Fair, and literally thousands of state and local fairs, parades, and rodeos. The Detachment participates in both formal and informal parades and reviews, provides VIP tours for distiguished guests of the 1st Cavalry Division, makes a variety of appearences designed to inform or amuse the public, and conducts a 30-minute mounted drill and weapons demonstration (our signature performance).

The mounted demonstration is a thrilling exhibition of the skill and precision required of a trooper while mounted. It includes drill maneuvers at the walk, trot, and gallop followed by demonstrations of the use of the Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber, M1873 Colt Revolver (commonly known as "the Peacemaker"), and the M1873 Springfield Trapdoor-Model Carbine. The Detachment's demonstration team arrives on-site complete with eleven troopers and mounts, a muleskinner and swamper with mule team, an M1878 Escort Wagon, an M1841 Light Mountain Howitzer, and a dedicated ground support staff. No outside personnel or equipment is required in order for us to conduct one of our demonstrations. The Detachment is flexible and can adjust its performances to create almost any effect. The unit requires an area about the size of a football field for its mounted cavalry demonstrations.

To read about the process required to become a member of the Horse Cavalry Detachment, click here.

Costs and Contacts

There is no charge for any appearance of the Detachment. Operating costs and travel expenses, however, must be covered by the requesting organization whenever the Detachment is asked to travel more than one day to reach and return from a performance. These costs usually include various vehicle fees, per-diem, and lodging. Also, meals must be provided by the requesting organization for performances conducted within a one-day trip distance from Fort Hood. Costs vary from location to location, depending on the distance from Fort Hood and the cost of living in the performance area.

To schedule a future booking of the Horse Cavalry Detachment, contact the III Corps and Fort Hood Community Relations Office at (254) 287-7545 or (254) 287-2832. You may also request a cost estimate and additional information by contacting Horse Cavalry Detachment Operations at (254) 288-0405, Fax (254) 288-0405.

You may also send us a message through the Internet or view our complete contact information by clicking here: Contact Us!

Press Bullets

• The Horse Cavalry Detachment is comprised of 33 soldiers, 35 horses, 5 mules, and 1 dog. The Detachment is completely self-contained, with its own school-trained farriers, saddlemakers, bootmakers, and veterinary technicians.
• The Detachment has performed at numerous events, including the 1984 World's Fair, three Presidential Inaugural Parades (for Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush), and seven Rose Bowl Parades. They have traveled from California to Washington D.C., and from northern Wyoming to southern Texas.
• Our mounted cavalry demonstration is high-energy family entertainment and lasts about 30 minutes. It incorporates the precision skills required of the Indian Wars era cavalryman both in horsemanship and weapons usage. We pride ourselves in our ability to put on a show that not only replicates the Cavalryman of the 1880s but also excites the crowd.
• We make an awesome addition to any parade. Parade organizers consistently recognize us as a top-notch entry. Notable parades in which we have participated include the Presidential Inaugural Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade, and both Fiesta Texas parades in San Antonio.
• There is no "appearance fee" for any of our public performances. Certain costs, however, are the responsibility of the requesting organization. Requesting agencies can defer costs in numerous ways. Call the Detachment Operations Shop for more information.

For booking information please call:

III Corps Community Relations Office	(254) 287-7545 or (254) 287-2832
Horse Cavalry Detachment Operations Shop	PHONE (254) 287-2229 or FAX (254) 288-0405

Timeline

• Aug 29, 1971 - The 1st Cavalry Division Association voted to sponsor the formation of a horse platoon as a no-cost recruiting tool for the First Team, pending III Corps Commanding General approval.
• Dec 1971 - Eight troopers were assigned to the new unit. The first of ten horses was acquired from the Army Pentathlon Team in San Antonio, Texas.
• Jan 1972 - The Horse Platoon was officially established. Start-up money was provided by the 1st Cav Division Association, the Killeen Chamber of Commerce, and troopers of the Horse Platoon.
• Apr 1972 - The first show - a parade - was conducted in San Angelo, Texas.
• 1972 - Eight additional horses were added to the unit after other units and local patrons were solicited for monetary donations.
• 1973 - The first two mules and an M1878 Escort Wagon were donated.
• 1974 - The first mounted cavalry demonstration was conducted. At the time, the demo team consisted of six riders and mounts.
• Dec 1976 - Fort Hood began paying all operating costs when the III Corps Commanding General approved an unconditional donation of all unit equipment from the 1CD Association to III Corps, officially making the Horse Platoon an Army unit.
• 1980 - The Horse Platoon was recognized as a Special Ceremonial Unit by the U.S. Army. This allowed travel expenses to be paid from government funds.
• Jan 1981 - The Horse Platoon's first Presidential Inaugural Parade, for President Ronald Reagan.
• 1984 - The DA civilian position of Equestrian Trainer and Stablemaster was established. The first man to hold this post was LTC (Ret) Thomas B. Larkin.
• 1986 - The first mounted cavalry demonstration to use eleven riders and mounts plus a mule team pulling the M1878 Escort Wagon was conducted. This task organization remains the standard today.
• Dec 1986 - The Horse Platoon was renamed the Horse Cavalry Detachment in order to better conform to historical precedent.
• 1989 - An M1841 Light Mountain Howitzer was procured for use during demonstrations and other events. Its first use by the HCD marked the first time in over 100 years that the U.S. Cavalry had fired the M1841 howitzer.
• Sep 1995 - Troopers no longer held special duty status, rather they were placed in permanent duty slots in the HCD. This revolutionary change now allows the unit to claim its place as the only permanently-staffed and independently-funded mounted cavalry unit in the United States Army.
• Jan 1996 - The HCD participated for the first time in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
• Jan 2000 - The unit participates in its second Presidential Inaugural Parade, this time for President George W. Bush.
• Jan 2001 - Second trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade.
• Mar 2002 - The HCD (along with members of the 1CD Band and Honor Guard) took part in the world premiere of the movie "We Were Soldiers."
• May 2002 - The HCD travels to Alberta to meet and dialogue with the Strathcona Mounted Troop; the only regular force cavalry unit in the Canadian Army.
• Jan 2003 - The unit's third Tournament of Roses Parade.
• Jan 2004 - The HCD proudly participated in its fourth Tournament of Roses Parade as well as its third Presidential Inaugural Parade - again for President George W. Bush.
• Mar 2004 to Jan 2005 - The Detachment deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Among other things during the deployment, HCD troopers operated the Baghdad Zoo with assistance from joint, coalition, and Iraqi personnel.
• Jan 2006 - The HCD's fifth Tournament of Roses Parade comes with a little twist; rain from the "sunny" California skies. But the weather could not dampen the spirits of the HCD's troopers.
• Jul 2006 - The U.S. Army approved the creation of a Unit Identification Code for the HCD. This made the HCD administratively independent from Headquarters Company, 1CD, and placed the unit on the same official standing with other detachments across the Army.
• Jan 2007 - The unit's Sixth Tournament of Rose Parade
• May 2007 - THe HCD conducted two demonstrations and two parades at the 66th Annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival. In four days of demos and high school visits, the HCD’s troopers appeared before over 3000 people. Plus an estimated 20,000 spectators watched the two parades.