Horses in the military
Joining the Army • Selecting horses • Retired military horses • The importance of horses to the armed forces
QI’m leaving sixth form college after A-levels this summer and am interested in joining the Army. What route would I have to take if I wanted to work with horses? Grace Temple, Swansea
Paddy says... Firstly, I wish you the very best of luck with your A-levels. I’m delighted that you are thinking about joining the Army and would like horses to potentially play a part in that career. There are lots of questions you’ll need to ask yourself to make sure this path is the right one for you, and many of them can be answered by going to army.mod.uk/careers.
Joining as a soldier
Should you wish to join as a soldier, apply online, after which you will be asked to attend a local career centre. Here you’ll be given a recruiter and a candidate support manager to help you through the process and talk you through your options.
This will then be followed by a visit to an assessment centre, where you will have to complete a series of physical and mental tests, along with some team assessments and a medical examination. Should all be well, some final background checks will be carried out and you will then be offered a place to start training in your chosen part of the Army. You will complete your basic training, followed by specialist training in your role and then, finally, you will join your regiment or corps.
Joining as an officer
Applying to join as an officer is similar, but with some more interviews and rigorous leadership assessments. Should you pass these, you will be invited to start training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
Once there, you will decide which part of the Army you would like to go into.
Equine Army roles
Both the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery (KTRHA) have horses. Both units have proud histories and traditions and close links to operational service regiments. You can specialise in equine-related roles such as farrier, saddler or riding instructor in both units too.
For the Household Cavalry, you will first serve two years, then you’ll learn to drive the Army’s newest armoured vehicle, the Ajax, serving with the armoured regiment of the Household Cavalry. When joining the KTRHA, you will complete your initial training with the Royal Artillery, then move to the King’s Troop to complete your ridden training. You have the option of remaining at the Troop for your whole career, but many service personnel move between the Troop and other parts of the Royal Artillery.