Five horses from the Kings Household Guard were spooked by a construction site and threw their riders, then ran amok from Belgravia past Buckingham Palace and down Fleet Street. Two went as far as Limehouse before being caught.
Unfortunately at least one horse, several riders, and bystanders were injured.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/24/london-escaped-horses-household-cavalry/
Wow. I’m in London now but was safely at the British Museum when this happened. How unfortunate.
all 5 of the horses are receiving vet care at the barracks and the cyclist and soldiers injured are all reported not to have life changing injuries, and are receiving Army medical care.
Thank you, NIgel. Those horses will require some careful re-training before they can return to their work. A frightened horse is a dangerous house, and it takes time to re-gain their confidence after something like that.
I'm happy to hear that the humans and horses are all being looked after. The photo of the bleeding horse was really disturbing. And I feared for the horses' legs as they galloped down slick city streets.
updated - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68895233
quoting:
1500 BST
"It is "too early to know" whether two Household Cavalry horses will return to official duties after they were injured when they bolted through London.
Seven horses were spooked by a loud noise in Belgravia and four threw off their riders and ran through the city on Wednesday.
Two of the horses remain in a serious condition and have been operated on, the Army said.
Some of the horses hit vehicles, including a double-decker bus.
It happened on Wednesday during a military exercise, the Army said.
A spokesman for the Army said: "We are hoping that both these horses make a recovery. Whether they will recover enough to return to official duties, it's too early to know for sure.
"But they've been given the best veterinary treatment possible.
"Vida was the most visibly injured and the pictures of the horse running through London soaked in blood were horrifying.
"Vida was operated on overnight and is currently in stables at the Hyde Park Barracks under observation.
"Quaker was also operated on overnight but it was decided to move the horse to an equine hospital in the early hours.
"The extent of the injuries is not completely clear, but we don't believe at this stage there are any broken bones. The injuries are consistent with serious lacerations."
He added that of the three soldiers injured, one has been discharged, two remain in hospital, but that all are expected to return to duties.
A cyclist was also hospitalised in the incident. There is no further update on their condition.
Defence minister James Cartlidge said what happened on Wednesday was "exceptional", explaining that more than 150 animals were on exercise in the capital each day.
...
The horses of the Household Cavalry are trained by the Army for several months and ridden on the streets of London to get them used to heavy traffic and loud noises, including gun salutes and military bands.
The chaos began on Wednesday morning when horses of the Household Cavalry - military regiments that carry out ceremonial duties around Buckingham Palace - were being exercised ahead of the Major General's Inspection on Thursday.
One serviceman was thrown from his horse on Buckingham Palace Road, before one of the loose animals hit a taxi waiting outside the Clermont Hotel, shattering the vehicle's windows.
Two of the animals were finally recovered in Limehouse in east London, more than five miles (about 8km) from where they bolted.
In total, four soldiers were thrown from their saddles, the Army said.
The horses involved had been due to take part in the Major General's Inspection, which went ahead as planned on Thursday morning in Hyde Park.
The Major General, wearing a white plumed hat, rode in between rows of mounted troops to conduct the annual inspection ahead of this summer's pageantry events.
The regiment, dressed in black, red and gold uniforms with golden helmets, then trotted around the cordoned-off square of grass as the brass band played. "
Vida, in the photos is the grey (often but inaccurately called white)..
UPDATE - on the BBC London news this week it was announced that the two horses which were injured are both "making remarkable progress in their recovery", quoting the Army. They are due to be sent to the countryside to continue their recovery.
Also - three of the four injured soldiers have now returned to duty.
Good news, eh?
Thanks Nigel. Good news indeed. I hope the 4th soldier completely recovers soon.
Such good news! So thankful the riders and bystanders are going to be ok. That scene must have been horrifying to all involved. It just broke my heart to see the blood on those beautiful animals and know the fear they must have had to initiate the situation. Thanks for the update on this.
Thanks for the update, Nigel.
FURTHER update
After this week seeing the two most wounded horses playing and running in a field (on the news) I can report that MOD have said that 3 of the 5 horses who bolted after being scared by a very loud noise of a large construction item being dropped from height right next to them will be in the King's Birthday celebrations and doing their usual job, as will be all but one of the soldiers.
The two other horses are recovering really really well, and will be returning to full duties in due course.
The remaining soldier is still receiving treatment.
