Horse Lovers in Oklahoma Have The Opportunity To Adopt Retired Military Horse

One of the senior horses currently living at the Lawton/Fort Sill Army Base is currently listed up for adoption by the Fort Sill Artillery Half Section. Oklahomans and other horse lovers will have the chance to bring home 21-year-old Military Working Equine (MWE) McKiernan. All they need to do is apply and wait for a response from the Half Section's leadership.

About MWE McKiernan, available to adopt for families across the country.

For the last nine years, bay Quarter Horse gelding, MWE McKiernan, has been serving the Fort Sill Artillery Half Section. Recently, the Half Section Chief, Lara Armstrong decided that McKiernan can better spend his later years in a more relaxed pasture with his next forever family.

McKiernan is best described as a pasture buddy/pet horse rather than a working horse due to his arthritis that he was diagnosed with while serving the Artillery Half Section. Because of the arthritis, he will require medication "for the rest of his life" to live comfortably with the diagnosis.

How anyone interested can apply to adopt McKiernan.

Families interested in adopting McKiernan will need to meet a set of requirements listed on the application. Applications will be accepted until Mar. 25, 2025 and the new owner will be contacted by Apr. 1, 2025, according to the Fort Sill Artillery Half Section Facebook post.

Other horses have been adopted from the U.S. Army Half Section by a variety of folks. Typically, families need to make sure that they have fenced and maintained landand a safe, stable shelter for McKiernan to escape the sun and elements. They also may be asked to provide references on the application.

There are also other animals available to adopt from the Artillery Half Section, like their senior gelding, Ross.

Fort Sill's Artillery Half Section

The Fort Sill Artillery Half Section is a special ceremonies unit for the Army. According to the Army's official website, "the Half Section horses and Soldiers in the unit are responsible for carrying on the traditions of horse-drawn artillery from the World War I era." You may see horses on the Half Section being use to pull cannons, stand at attention quietly during special ceremonies and more.

Horses used for the Half Section would be expected to be quiet and calm, even in loud situations. It wouldn't surprise me, an avid horsewoman, to expect McKiernan to have excellent ground manners and demeanor.

To receive an application to adopt McKiernan, interested parties will need to email the Chief directly at lara.l.armstrong.civ@army.mil.