CGMCG horses head to greener pastures near Ogden gate

Drivers accessing Fort Riley through the Ogden gate can now expect to see the post's most famous residents.

The Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard recently moved some of its horses to a new set of pastures on Huebner Road near the Ogden Access Control Point. It includes five paddocks totaling more than 42 acres. The area was chosen because of its abundance of grass and its location on one of the most traveled roads on post, Capt. Casey Wolfe, CGMCG commander, said.

"Fort Riley is one of the few post in the Army where you can still drive through the gate and see horses, so it's great that we have the opportunity to showcase the unit in this fashion," Wolfe, a Tribune, Kan., native, said.

The CGMCG worked with the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley garrison and Department of Public Works on the project. The Ogden pastures join others maintained by the CGMCG's troopers near Marshall Army Airfield, behind the Forsyth housing area and off of Marshall Avenue, totaling 160 acres of fenced land.

"This is going to work great for us because now the horses will always have fresh lush grass to graze throughout the season, and we won't have to do as much supplemental feeding (hay and grain) to maintain healthy weights," Wolfe said. "It will also be great for the ground since we will be able to rotate horses out before they graze the grass past the point where it will have difficulty rebounding, and it will also give the ground a break from the compaction from the weight of the horses."

The Ogden pastures are some of the best land the CGMCG maintains, Sgt. Kevin Lee said. Lee, a member of the CGMCG who was actively involved in the planning and preparation, is responsible for care and upkeep of the new space.

Lee, a native of Lakeland, Fla., said there are hardly any trees, rocks and other natural debris in the Ogden pastures, which gives the horses more room to run around and play and more grass to eat.

"When they were let loose, they either stood still wondering where they were and the other ones acted like little kids let loose on a new playground," Lee said of the horses. "They ran around jumping, kicking their hind legs in the air or running around chasing each other."

Visitors are encouraged to look or take photos, but, for safety reasons, should not pet or feed the horses. Horses have sensitive stomachs and feeding horses by hand is a quick way to lose or injure fingers, Wolfe said. An electric fence surrounds the perimeter and over-zealous visitors could shock themselves or horses by getting too close.

Signs will soon be posted advising people not to pet or feed the horses.

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Interested in joining the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard?

The CGMCG is home to 25 troopers, 18 mounts, two Molly mules and two Percheron draft mares. Its pastures can support up to 25 animals, Wolfe said.

Active-duty 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley Soldiers interested in joining the CGMCG are encouraged to apply.

"We pride ourselves in being a self sustaining unit, so not only are we looking for great horsemen, but also hard-working troopers who are savvy with mechanical skills, leather skills, as well as admin and supply duties."

Soldiers of all military occupational specialties between the rank of private and sergeant first class are encouraged to apply for the CGMCG. Potential troopers must have one to two years of service left at Fort Riley.

"If we find a potential trooper that we like, but don't have a slot for, his or her application will sit at the top of the stack until a vacancy opens," Wolfe said.

Related Links:

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Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard on Facebook