1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment

The present day Horse Cavalry Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas

2013 Reunion HCD demo at the stables

The present day Horse Cavalry Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas, was formed under the direction of MG James C. Smith (Commander May 1971 to September 1973) of the 1st Cavalry Division – a general noted both for his ability to build morale among his troops and a keen sense of public relations. The Horse Cavalry Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division, one of seven mounted cavalry units on active duty in the United States Army, brings to life the spirit of the cavalry by its transformation into a unit from the proud heritage of the United States Cavalry.

The horse as a partner in war is no more. It has been over 70 years, February 1943, since the last mounted Troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division traded their horses for jeeps, trucks and tanks in preparation of their entrance into the Pacific Theater to fight the Japanese. The days of mounted troops and squadrons may be behind us, but the spirit and traditions of the old cavalry lives on in today’s modern 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

Since its inception in 1972, the detachment has performed for all types of audiences, from children to Presidential Inaugural Parades, the 1984 World’s Fair, the 1996 Tournament of Roses Parade and literally thousands of state and local fairs, parades, and rodeos. The detachment performs formal military parades and reviews, civic and community street parades, and a 30 minute mounted drill and weapons demonstration.

1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment

By Sgt. Ken Scar

The mounted demonstration is a thrilling exhibition of skill and precision required of the mounted Trooper. It includes drill maneuvers at the walk, trot, and gallop. The weapons portion of the show demonstrates the mounted use of the Cavalry Saber, Colt .45 caliber Revolver, and Springfield Carbine. The detachment is entirely self-contained with 40 Troopers and 47 horses, 8 mules, an M1878 supply wagon, and an M1841 light mountain howitzer cannon.

The 39 Soldiers, 31 horses, five mules and two dogs that make up the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment are a truly unique unit in the Army.

The HCD is primarily a ceremonial and recruitment unit dedicated to preserving the 1st Cavalry Division’s proud equestrian heritage. Soldiers chosen to be in the unit spend their days much like the cavalry Soldiers of old would: training and taking care of their horses and mules and everything that goes along with that. Their headquarters compound is located right next to Fort Hood’s Bernie Beck Main Gate.

Members of the HCD make their own saddles and boots in their leather shop, and do their own farrier work in their blacksmith shop. They train with firearms and sabers that are exact replicas of the weapons cavalry scouts would use in the 1800’s, and wear traditional 1st Cavalry Division uniforms during their performances.

The unit’s headquarters next to the Fort Hood main gate is open 24 hours a day, and they give weekly performances demonstrating traditional mounted drills and ceremonies, including marksmanship and saber skills.

The demonstrations showcase horseback techniques used by mounted military troops in the 1800’s, including drills taken directly from the 1874 Cavalry Drill and Tactics Manual.