A new exhibit at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, pays tribute to the historical bond between U.S. Marines and the animals that served alongside them. Titled “Boots, Paws, and Hooves on the Ground: U.S. Marines and Their Animals,” the display features artwork and images spanning 250 years of Marine Corps history. It is on loan from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and open to the public through the summer.
The exhibit, housed in Indoor Arena One at the World Equestrian Center, showcases 36 works by more than 30 artists and photographers. These pieces, drawn from the National Museum of the Marine Corps, highlight the roles of horses, dogs, and other animals in Marine operations over centuries.
Curator Lyn Ezell emphasized the exhibit's appeal as an accessible way to explore military history. “Everyone loves horses and dogs, so if you can capture the attention of someone who is also interested in horses and dogs and they learn a little bit about Marine Corps history on the way, everyone wins,” Ezell said.
One standout artwork depicts Staff Sergeant “Reckless,” a horse that served with Marines during the Korean War. The World Equestrian Center commemorates this story with a bronze statue of Reckless in its main plaza.
Many of the featured artworks were produced through the Marine Corps Combat Art Program, which allows Marines and select civilians to document combat experiences firsthand. Jim Lukeman, president of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, described the program's value: “The Marine Corps made a decision years ago to allow Marines and some civilians working with Marines to go to war with Marines and just do art. What you get is very firsthand experience of people in combat, capturing it through their art, and that’s a great way to reach people with what the Marine Corps is all about.”
Organizers aim for the traveling exhibit to educate communities nationwide about Marine Corps heritage. Admission is free, making it available to a broad audience during its run through the summer.