LONDON - A surprising incident unfolded in London on a Wednesday morning when military horses from the Household Cavalry escaped during an exercise at the Horse Guards Parade, causing a commotion in central London. The horses, without their riders, galloped through the streets of London, leaving some injured and causing damage to vehicles.
The incident began when five horses were startled by construction activities near a site. Four of them unseated their riders while one bolted riderless. Three soldiers and one pedestrian sustained injuries during the chaos that ensued.
The horses, which are part of the king's mounted bodyguard, had been undergoing a routine exercise known as a 'watering order.' They were preparing for Major General's Inspection, an annual test of their ability to carry out ceremonial duties for the year ahead. The Household Cavalry is renowned for its meticulously choreographed ceremonial events on horseback and plays a significant role in major royal celebrations.
The horses were seen bolting through the streets, causing damage to vehicles and leaving some injured. One of the horses appeared to have blood on its chest and legs after colliding with a vehicle. The military spokeswoman confirmed that all personnel and horses involved had been accounted for, but some injuries were reported.
The London Ambulance Service received calls about injuries from three different locations: Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square, and the junction between Chancery Lane and Fleet Street. The incidents took place between 8:25 a.m. and 8:35 a.m.
Photos and video footage of the horses were shared widely on social media, showing at least two horses, one black and one light gray, bolting through the streets and sidewalks. Members of the public were filmed calming a black horse standing close to a double-decker tourist bus that had its windshield cracked.
A Mercedes van also had its windows smashed during the incident. The owner of the van, identified only as Faraz, told LBC radio that he saw 'three or four' horses and a soldier fall off his horse. He said that a white horse hit his car and was left bleeding.
The City of London police force managed to corral two horses near Limehouse, about five miles away from Buckingham Palace. Around 10:30 a.m., the London Metropolitan Police reported that all five horses had been contained.
Bashir Aden, a construction worker, told the Daily Telegraph he saw a rider thrown after the horse ran into a car and that one of his colleagues called the police. 'The man hit the floor hard. He was screaming in pain. You could see blood all over the parked car,' he said.
The Household Cavalry is made up of two most senior regiments of the British Army, with soldiers trained to drive and operate armored vehicles in combat situations as well as take part in meticulously choreographed ceremonial events on horseback. They played a starring role at King Charles III's coronation and at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.
