Not all of the nation's Soldiers walk on two legs.
Some walk on four, eat hay, live in the stables on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and have a socket where their left eye used to be.
Meet Mickey, a member of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment's (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon. The white Percheron Morgan Cross hasn't let having only one eye interfere with his mission of ensuring that the last ride for deceased service members to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery is an honorable and respectful journey.
"He leans more to the Morgan side than the Percheron side, but you can still see with his build how big he is," said Caisson Platoon Leader 1st Lt. Austin Hatch. "He is a sweet horse."
Mickey is about 18 years old, stands 16 hands tall and weighs 1,600 pounds. He has been a member of the Caisson Platoon for 10 years, said Hatch. Mickey was diagnosed with a tumor on the inside of his left eye three years ago.
"He started feeling a lot of pressure in his eye and was very uncomfortable to the point where he wouldn't socialize with anybody," he continued. "He would stay in his stall. The tumor was a serious detriment to his quality of life."
Making the decision to remove Mickey's eye wasn't without risk, said Hatch.
"Horses are very energetic because they are prey animals," he said. "Whenever you remove an eye, depending on the horse you have, some horses won't make it."
Happily, that wasn't the case for Mickey, which is a credit to what Hatch called the horse's laid back, go with the flow demeanor.
"You would struggle to find a horse that is more relaxed than he is," said Hatch. "The whole team could be freaking out over something and he just doesn't care."
Mickey lost about 180 degrees of his vision when his eye was removed in 2013. The surgery kept Mickey out of work for several months that year and his first public appearance came when he accompanied the Budweiser Clydesdales on their visit to the base in the spring of 2013.
And Mickey's first time back in position on a Caisson Platoon funeral detail came the same day as Hatch's first ride with the platoon.
"We bonded," said Hatch with a smile as he gave Mickey an affectionate pat.
Seeming to know that he was being talked about, Mickey turned his head and appeared to listen as Hatch explained the care that is taken to ensure that no dirt or debris gets into his eye socket.
Hatch also proudly discussed how Mickey doesn't let his disability slow him down.
"He's a good horse," Hatch said. "He gets the job done and that's all we ask for."
To learn more about the Caisson Platoon, visit www.oldguard.mdw.army.mil/specialty-platoons/caisson or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CaissonPlatoon/.
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