The United States military has utilized horses since the nation’s inception, but its equine era is finally ending. On July 2, the US Army announced plans to shutter its Military Working Equid (MWE) program,

The Army announced it will seize operations and ownership of horses at Fort Irwin, Calif., Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Fort Riley, Kan., Fort Sill, Okla., and Fort Hood, Texas. Caisson units, however, will continue to operate at the Military District of Washington in Washington, D.C., and Virginia, as well as at Joint Base San Antonio in Texas.

The Army is ending five equine programs to save a couple million dollars a year. It might also be a wise move for animal welfare reasons.