My mate had a horse at his funeral. Peter had served in the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry).
The riderless horse holds a lot of symbolism, and it was very moving to see at Peter’s funeral.
Also called a ‘caparisoned’ horse, it’s a powerful military symbol that stands among the highest honours for the fallen. It’s been around for centuries, even going back to the Genghis Khan era. Back in those days, the horse was sacrificed so its spirit could accompany the dead on his afterlife journey.
The boots in the stirrups are reversed so the fallen soldier can see his family and the troops he served one last time. They also represent a warrior that can ride no more.
In Peter’s case, the horse was led in front of the hearse and coffin. Sometimes the horse is led behind the hearse.
The most famous riderless horse
One of the most famous riderless horses was a magnificent horse called Black Jack.
Black Jack’s good looks saved him from being discharged from the US military in his early days. He had a pretty head and was jet black except for a little white star on his forehead. He was a handful though, refused to be ridden, and constantly bucked off riders during his training at Fort Reno in Oklahoma.
When an opening came up in the Army’s Caisson Platoon, Black Jack was sent to Fort Myer in 1953. That’s when his service began. He misbehaved terribly at his first funeral, but the family liked his spirit and said it reminded them of their son. They said Black Jack’s spirit was endearing.
Jack Black served in the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and was the riderless horse in more than 1,000 Armed Forces Full Honours Funerals.
His naughtiness continued while on duty at these funerals. He never stood still, would throw his head around, and would often stomp on the foot of the soldier who was leading him. If the funeral procession halted or slowed, the horse became impatient and kicked and circled.
Black Jack took part in several funerals of US Presidents, including John F Kennedy’s in 1963. He was particularly agitated escorting JFK’s casket from the Capitol Building. His handler, Arthur Carlson, knew he was in trouble.
He recalled, “He had gotten spooked. He was starting to dance and starting to throw his head. Completely wet with sweat and I said ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with this horse, but I’m in big trouble.’”
The Chronicle of the Horse reported that “At one point, Black Jack stomped down on Arthur’s toe so hard he was sure it was broken, but he couldn’t even bend down to rub it or show any emotion due to the television cameras and witnesses”.
After 29 years of military service, Black Jack retired in 1973 and died three years later. He was cremated and laid to rest at Fort Myer. He became only the second horse to be buried with full military honours (the other was Comanche).
Ritual and symbolism is so important in our lives and deaths. Whether it’s a horse at a funeral, raising a glass, wearing black, your golf clubs at the altar, or flowers on the casket, everything has some sort of meaning.
Peter had filled in his copy of The Bottom Drawer Book, requesting his pallbearers take a shot of whiskey beside his coffin. So now, on his birthday, I too will have a shot of whiskey – a new little October 25 ritual for me.
What rituals or symbols do you want at your farewell, and why? And importantly, have you told your family or written them down?
