ARLINGTON , Virginia ( CNN ) -- Staff Sgt . Travis Nielsen had no idea when he joined the U.S. Army that his duty would include one of the most solemn and hallowed ceremonies in the military . John F. Kennedy 's funeral in 1963 included a riderless horse with boots facing backwards in the saddle . During funeral processions at Virginia 's Arlington National Cemetery near Washington , Nielsen walks the riderless horse , a powerful military symbol that stands among the highest honors for the fallen . Images of the so-called caparisoned horse , often referred to as the `` cap horse , '' remain emblazoned in the memories of millions of shocked Americans who watched President Kennedy 's funeral procession shortly after his 1963 assassination . According to Army tradition , a ceremonial horse is led by a `` cap walker , '' like Nielsen , in a procession with boots set backward in the saddle 's stirrups . In addition to high-ranking government officials such as the president , the cap horse honor is reserved for officers of the rank of colonel or above . The tradition dates `` to Roman times , or Genghis Khan , '' Nielsen said , `` as a high honor bestowed on high-ranking fallen warriors . '' Watch Nielsen lead a riderless horse at Arlington » . The ancient riderless horse ceremony did n't include backward boots , he said , but it did include an unusual meal . `` They were shrouding their horses or putting him in battle armor or escorting the fallen to their grave , '' Nielsen said . `` When that was done , they would eat the horse , and they would have a big feast . '' Today `` the boots facing backward symbolize [ that ] the fallen wo n't ride again and [ the rider is ] looking back on his family one last time , '' he said . Nielsen serves with the ceremonial Caisson Platoon of the 3rd U.S. Infantry regiment , also known as the Old Guard , based at Fort Myer , Virginia , near the cemetery . Formed in 1784 , the Old Guard ranks as the oldest active duty unit in the Army . `` Memorial Day weekend is very busy around here , '' said Nielsen , who joins Old Guard comrades in the annual tradition at Arlington called `` flags in . '' `` We are responsible for going out in the cemetery and placing the American flags on all the headstones . '' Platoon soldiers rarely know any details about the troops or civilians they honor . `` Sometimes someone who served with the fallen or maybe went to [ military ] academy with them will come up to you and tell you what a great guy they were , '' Nielsen said . When choosing Old Guard members , commanders `` want guys who are punctual and disciplined and picky about the way they look and the way their horses look , '' he said . The focus of much of Nielsen 's duties involves drilling and training horses such as Kennedy , a cap horse whose previous career involved running around harness racing tracks . Cemetery ceremonial horses are washed and brushed until their coats have a bright sheen . Saddles and brass are buffed and polished until they shine like mirrors . Ancient caissons that carry flag-draped caskets are cleaned and readied for a day of service . As for the soldiers , Old Guard members ' woolen uniforms are flawless and take hours to prepare , as each inch is inspected again and again . Uniforms are pressed and ironed . Shoes and brass are polished and shined . `` In the winter , it can get pretty cold out there , '' Nielsen said . `` In the summer -- it 's no joke -- the summers get extremely hot . There will be heat indexes of 100 to 115 degrees . '' Nielsen described his duty as rewarding . `` We carry America 's heroes to the final resting place , '' he said . Soldiers in formation lead the procession . An Army band plays , and the unit marches to muffled drums . The caisson passes , led by six horses , either black or white . The horses ' harnesses jangle and the caisson wheels rumble through the hallowed paths of Arlington . Bringing up the rear of the procession is Nielsen , leading Kennedy . They pass in formation directly behind a flag-draped casket carrying the body of a soldier or Marine ; Navy and Air Force officers do not use cap horses at burial ceremonies . After a casket is carried to a burial site , the caisson and cap horse depart . Nielsen and Kennedy head back to the stables alone , to prepare for another ceremony .
Riderless horses honor high-ranking fallen U.S. troops , government officials . Many recall horse with empty saddle during 1963 JFK funeral . Comment: Tradition of riderless horses at funerals dates to ancient Rome , soldier says .