Two Household Cavalry horses are currently in a serious condition after breaking free and running through the streets of London on Wednesday. The incident occurred during an exercise involving six soldiers and seven horses, where the animals were spooked by falling concrete from a nearby construction site.
As a result, four horses broke loose, with three soldiers sustaining injuries. Fortunately, the soldiers are expected to make a full recovery. UK defense procurement minister James Cartlidge confirmed that two of the horses, named Vida and Quaker, are in a serious condition and are being closely monitored.
The British Army provided an update stating that two of the injured horses underwent surgery, while the others are expected to return to duty soon. The army emphasized that their horses receive top-notch care and that incidents like this are rare, considering they have horses out on exercise in London daily.
Footage circulating on social media captured the startling moment when the horses, one of them visibly injured, ran through central London, causing damage to a Mercedes taxi and a double-decker tour bus. The Household Cavalry, responsible for ceremonial duties and serving as the King's official bodyguard, is based at Hyde Park barracks near Buckingham Palace.
The army expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and concern for both the soldiers and horses involved in the incident, promising to provide further updates as the situation develops.
