Military Horses in Serious Condition After Bolting Through London Streets

The streets of London were filled with chaos as two military horses broke free during routine exercises near Buckingham Palace. The horses, named Vida and Quaker, ran miles through the city after being spooked by construction noise, tossing their riders and causing havoc during morning rush hour.

Vida, a white horse, was seen drenched in blood as it galloped down Aldwych, while Quaker, a black horse, sideswiped a taxi and ran through a red light at an intersection. The wild spectacle was captured by stunned commuters and shared on social media, showing near misses with cyclists and a rider on a motorbike.

Despite the chaos, no serious injuries to the public were reported. Three soldiers thrown from their steeds were hospitalized with injuries but were expected to fully recover. Two of the horses underwent operations and were in serious condition, while the fifth horse that tried to bolt had not been able to break free.

The Household Cavalry, the ceremonial guard of the monarch, was preparing for an upcoming military parade when the horses were spooked by construction noise in the swanky neighborhood of Belgravia. The incident was described as exceptionally rare by defense minister James Cartlidge, as the army trains with about 150 horses every day.

After the incident, more than 150 horses and close to 200 participants took part in the regiment’s annual inspection at Hyde Park to demonstrate readiness for summer pageantry events. The mounted riders, dressed in black, red, and gold uniforms with golden helmets, trotted to the beat of a brass band as a small crowd gathered to watch.

The captured horses were taken back to barracks in Hyde Park, and the injured horses were transferred to an equine hospital for further treatment. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of working with animals, even in the most controlled environments.