Three military horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were “swiftly and safely” recovered after bolting through central London on Monday morning. The incident occurred during a routine exercise involving six horses and five soldiers.
The chaos began when the lead horse, being led rather than ridden, was spooked by a London bus, causing it to become loose. The commotion led to two soldiers being unseated, resulting in their horses also breaking free.
The loose horses bolted from Seville Street to South Eaton Place, where one horse was quickly recovered. The remaining two horses continued their run, heading towards Vauxhall Bridge via Belgrave Road before being safely stopped.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that all horses were collected and returned to Hyde Park Barracks by 9:55 am. Fortunately, none of the three horses involved in this incident were part of the previous bolting incident that occurred on April 24.
An Army spokesperson provided reassurance, stating: “We can confirm that whilst exercising this morning, three horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment became loose from their riders. They were swiftly and safely recovered. One horse received minor injuries, but no further treatment is required, and there were no injuries to the soldiers involved.”
The prompt response ensured the safety of both the animals and the public, demonstrating the effective handling of the situation by the soldiers and relevant authorities.
This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of working with animals in urban environments and the need for constant vigilance during such exercises. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment continues to be a prominent and respected presence in London, maintaining their duties with the utmost professionalism.
