Saddle up: Border Patrol officers on horseback are coming to East County

East County News Service

March 27, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) -- U.S. Border Patrol horse patrol units across the Southwest recently received 15 horses from the U.S. Army, an interagency transfer that will save the agency an estimated $105,000.

The horses came from U.S. Army posts at Fort Irwin, Calif. and Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Border Patrol Horse Patrol Unit instructors traveled to the posts to evaluate the animals for their suitability in mounted patrol operations. The evaluations included inspections of conformation, groundwork, and riding assessments. Veterinarians also evaluated each horse to ensure its overall health before the transfer.

Following the evaluations, the Border Patrol transported the first 10 horses to the Santa Teresa Station in New Mexico. There, master instructors, and instructor students conducted three weeks of intensive training to condition the horses and prepare them for operational use.

After completing the initial training, the Border Patrol assigned the horses to sectors across the Southwest border, including San Diego, El Centro, Tucson, El Paso, and Rio Grande Valley. The Border Patrol is evaluating and training the remaining five horses in the Tucson Sector for future assignment.

“The transfer of these 15 horses from the U.S. Army further demonstrates the partnership between the U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of War,” said U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks. “This cooperation saves taxpayer dollars and strengthens the U.S. Border Patrol’s Horse Patrol, a unit that has been critical in securing our nation’s borders since our agency’s inception.”

Mounted patrol units provide agents with enhanced mobility and visibility in areas that are difficult to access by vehicle and support the U.S. Border Patrol’s mission to secure the nation’s borders.