Black Jack, the Caparisoned horse at JFK Kennedy 's funeral

[sheshe2]

WHO WAS BLACK JACK?

Most of you at least will have seen a photo of JFK’s funeral procession. In those photos, you always see that marvelous riderless black horse who carried a saddle with boots turned backwards in the stirrups. This magnificent horse was Black Jack.


Black Jack is the horse following the caisson

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WHAT IS A CAPARISONED HORSE?

The Caparisoned horse is the riderless horse who follows the caissons (6 horses pulling the cart which carries the casket of the fallen soldier). The caparisoned horse represents the soldier who will no longer ride in the brigade. The caparisoned horse wears the cavalry saddle, the sword and backwards boots in the stirrups, symbolizing the end of his tenure. If you watch any footage of military funerals, you will see this horse.



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JFK’S FUNERAL

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On Monday, they headed back to the Capitol Building to escort Kennedy’s casket again. Black Jack was wild during the procession to the White House, and Arthur was afraid he was going to lose hold of him. 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 at all due to the television cameras and witnesses.


Despite his antics, the media carried his image all over the world, and the beauty of his role in Kennedy’s funeral, as well as his display of spirit, touched the American people. Jacqueline Kennedy herself was one of many who became admirers of Black Jack.


On Nov. 27, Jacqueline informed the Secretary of the Army that she wanted to buy Black Jack when he was retired. Her request was acknowledged, and she later received Black Jack’s caparison, which included his saddle, bridle, saddle blanket, sword, boots and spurs.


Black Jack being bad during JFK's funeral. His handler could not reprimand him or use any voice cues during the event.



A lot more here~
http://www.horsecarecourses.com/horse_of_the_week/2012/02/black-jack-the-caparisoned-horse-at-jfk-kennedy-s-funeral.html

Black Jack paraded in over 1000 funerals. Including Hoover, Johnson and Douglas MacArthur.

[William769]

1. Kick & recommended.

[warrior1]

2. I remember

I also remember the boots and the stirrups were facing backwards. And I'll never forget the drumbeat to the White House of the drummer.

[sheshe2]

3. The image of the riderless horse always touched my heart.

Thank you warrior1, the drums let you feel the saddness in your soul.

[alfie]

4. I also noticed that he kept his head turned towards Arthur

and walked at an angle. I couldn't help but wonder if his neck was sore the next day from keeping it turned like that.

[Crepuscular]

5. Interesting coincidence

Interesting coincidence, I'm assuming that this horse was named "Blackjack" in honor of General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing given it's military origin but it's coincidental that it was used for JFK's funeral, as Jackie's dad, John Bouvier, was also nicknamed "Black Jack".

[msanthrope]

6. He was named for Pershing. nt

[Cha]

7. Thank you for the OP, she..

[mckara]

8. The 7 Horses of the Casson Originated with the Indo-Europeans in Ancient Times

And they represent the 7 levels of Being depicted by the Chakra.

[NCarolinawoman]

9. Thanks. I always wondered what happened to him.

Sounds like he had a good life.