Fort Bragg announces closure of military stables

Earlier this month, officials announced that Smith Lake Riding Stables, located near Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., would be permanently closing its doors.

The stable was home to government-owned horses that were used for special operations training. Soldiers learned to work with and ride horses in preparation for missions that might require them to go locations where motorized vehicles can’t go. Additionally, the stable offered lessons and camps to locals, including military families. Horse owners who boarded their animals at the stables have been notified that they will need to find new homes for their horses.

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The horses owned by the government will be sold at auction at the stables on November 17. Tack and stable equipment will also be auctioned off. Interested horse buyers must fill out an application, available here. Currently there is no official site with information of the horses to be auctioned, but some friends of the stables have made the information available here.

In a statement on Facebook, Fort Bragg explained its reasons for closing the stables.

“The stables suffered severe damage during the tornadoes this past spring and repairs to the barns, administrative building, and pasture and trail areas are still not complete. The government owned horse trails have essentially been out of business since the storm, and there is no possibility of getting back into that business quickly.”

In the statement, Fort Bragg also cites inadequate pasture space at the facility, which may have led to several incidents of sand colic. Additionally, the expense of running the stables has been greater than the income it provided, according to the statement.

In response, the stable’s supporters have started their own Facebook page and an online petition to keep the stables open.

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View Comments

[ says:
October 25, 2011 at 5:22 am
I wish they didn't give up the place.
PKL says:
October 25, 2011 at 5:55 am
What a sa lost, for both the horse and the veterans.
Irene says:
October 25, 2011 at 7:23 am
The stable was also being used as a training facility for the military. (When has a military facility made money on training their soldiers?) Obviously, the military wanted the non-military riders/horses to fund their training of their soldiers. One reason we pay taxes is the funding of military and their training. If the non-military riders/horses are paying their way, (and maybe more?) the military is ahead of the game.
Jill says:
October 25, 2011 at 10:50 am
What a sad lost.
Galadriel says:
October 25, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Oh, that really is too bad.
Pat says:
October 25, 2011 at 9:46 pm
That's really sad. I'm sure, anyone using the facility has kept up their end of the bargain. A shame one more way for our Vet's to relax is gone.
Ruth says:
August 1, 2013 at 11:42 pm
My husband is a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran.
I find it so very sad that you may have to close your stables, as animals are known to be useful in therapy for these men & women. If there is anything I can do to avoid this happening, please don't hesitate to call or email me. THANKS * God Bless!
Susan says:
August 14, 2014 at 8:40 am
Since I was 10 I used to volunteer at this barn. Over the years I created a bond with many of the horses that lived at Smith Lake. After one of the managers left, the barn fell into a state of disrepair and the horses were no longer being properly cared for. After the tornado hit, Fort Bragg finally closed it. This barn was not only an outlet for children who loved to ride and a training center for soldiers but the volunteers who worked here loved each and every one of the horses. Personally, I miss "my" horse who was named Cowboy. After I heard that he was auctioned off, I searched for him for many years yet I cannot find him.