Border Patrol Expands Horse Patrol Units Across Southwest

15 horses transferred from U.S. Army to support border security operations

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:19am

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The U.S. Border Patrol has received 15 horses from the U.S. Army to expand its mounted patrol units across the Southwest border region, including in San Diego, El Centro, Tucson, El Paso, and Rio Grande Valley sectors. The horses were evaluated and trained over a three-week period before being deployed to support the Border Patrol's mission to secure the nation's borders.

Why it matters

Mounted patrol units provide Border Patrol agents with enhanced mobility and visibility in remote border areas that are difficult to access by vehicle. This transfer of horses from the U.S. Army demonstrates the ongoing partnership between the two agencies and will help strengthen the Border Patrol's long-standing horse patrol operations.

The details

The 15 horses were transferred from U.S. Army posts at Fort Irwin, California and Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Border Patrol instructors evaluated the horses for their suitability in mounted patrol operations, including assessments of conformation, groundwork, and riding ability. Veterinarians also checked the overall health of the horses before the transfer. After the initial three-week training period in New Mexico, the horses were assigned to Border Patrol sectors across the Southwest.

  • In March 2026, the U.S. Border Patrol received 15 horses from the U.S. Army.
  • The horses underwent a three-week training program in New Mexico before being deployed to Border Patrol sectors.

The players

U.S. Border Patrol

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for securing the United States' borders and preventing the illegal entry of people and goods.

U.S. Army

The land-based branch of the United States Armed Forces, responsible for national defense and supporting other government agencies as needed.

Michael Banks

The Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, who commented on the partnership between the Border Patrol and the Department of War (U.S. Army) in this horse transfer.

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What they’re saying

“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. 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.”

— Michael Banks, U.S. Border Patrol Chief

What’s next

The Border Patrol is evaluating and training an additional 5 horses in the Tucson Sector for future assignment to support mounted patrol operations.

The takeaway

The expansion of the Border Patrol's horse patrol units through this transfer of Army horses demonstrates the agency's ongoing commitment to utilizing all available resources to enhance border security and support its mission. The partnership between the Border Patrol and the U.S. Army highlights the collaborative efforts between government agencies to maximize efficiency and cost-savings.