2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition

[Coventina]

LONDON -- Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in serious condition after undergoing operations, a U.K. government official said Thursday.

The animals were among a group of four horses that broke free during routine exercises Wednesday near Buckingham Palace and caused chaos as they galloped loose through central London during morning rush hour. A fifth horse that tried to bolt hadn't been able to break free.

Two of the horses underwent operations and one was transferred to an equine hospital, the British Army posted on X.

“Three of them are fine, two of them are unfortunately in a relatively serious condition and obviously we will be monitoring that condition,” defense minister James Cartlidge told Sky News. “They are in a serious condition, but as I understand, still alive.”

Three soldiers thrown from their steeds were hospitalized with injuries, but were expected to fully recover and return to duty.

The loose horses from the Household Cavalry, the ceremonial guard of the monarch and a feature of state functions in London, were named as Vida, Quaker, Trojan and Tennyson.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/2-military-horses-broke-free-ran-loose-london-109615585

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Using horses for "ceremonial" purposes is not valid!
Especially when you cannot keep them safe!

Stop using horses for human vanity!!!

[Johnny2X2X]

1. Agree with your assessment

These beautiful animals don't exist merely for human pleasure. This activity puts them in danger, it's not the first time either.

[Emile]

2. Oh wow, I hate hearing that.

[hlthe2b]

3. ...

I am not opposed to official ceremonial displays of horses, but they damned well need to have a risk assessment in the days preceding. The construction and noise are elements that should be assessed and dealt with well before--whether through behavioral desensitization or avoidance in total. Priority simply must be given to the safety of horses--along with riders and the public-- over the value of a ceremonial appearance.

[Sky Jewels]

5. There is only so much humans can do to quell horses' instincts.

Even the most docile, well-trained, desensitized horse will have a moment every now and again.

[hlthe2b]

7. You have no idea how very well aware I am of that. But there are steps to be taken far beyond

what the monarchy does routinely (and I'm NOT suggesting they do not try to anticipate and provide excellent care to these horses--just that they may need to move the risk-benefit toward procedures that avoid such unexpected--but those which can be anticipated--exposures). That can include moving or retiming/rescheduling the event/venue and as I stated prior... horses CAN be desensitized to noise, crowd, and technological factors. Having had some professional interactions with those who oversee/train/care for the Budweiser Clydesdales, I can assure you that there is evidence that these measures can help.

[mopinko]

8. i've always said- u cant make a horse do what it doesnt want to do.

if a horse doesnt want to pull a carriage, it wont. u can train it, using threats or bribes, but in the end, they serve us at their own pleasure, not ours.

[hlthe2b]

9. Yes. But this is not an issue of compliance. It is an issue of protection and ability to safeguard against

startling events and incidents that can result in unsafe reactions. THAT CAN be addressed. As I stated, I got to learn firsthand how it is done (from birth) with the Clydesdales--which is an extension of that used for the highest-level equestrian competitive driving events--dating back from ancient times but updated to our much more technologically chaotic times. It likewise involves assessing the temperament and suitability for these horses.

[mopinko]

11. fersher.

my eldest drove a carriage in downtown chgo for a couple yrs.
she got so tired of ppl crying that she was abusing the horses. they were all amish washouts. too placid for the pace the farmers kept. had. a much cushier life than they were raised for. they usually were fine, but every now and then 1 wd freak out. she was working the day 1 walked up the front of a car, and got half the carriage up there, too. same thing- jackhammers.

she loved it, but such shit pay. so much unpaid labor. they took care of the horses and had to buy their own tack. everyone wd say- oh wait til valentine’s day. then every nag that walked and every carriage that rolled was out, so they got no more rides that a nice summer saturday.
it was girls w horse crushes and polish guys who had been farmers back home.

[EndlessWire]

10. Oh, the Clydesdales!

I saw a YouTube video showing the aftercare of these horses post parade. I was so impressed! Each one had their own team of handlers and they were treated like Gods. All horses should be treated like that.

I have long watched YouTube videos of the mounted guards, and have always thought that their horses are well treated. The mounted guards will certainly scream at you if you touch the horses in some wrong way. They are protective of both the public as well as their mounts.

The other thing I look at is when some farm horse allows a cat to climb aboard and take a ride. If the horse didn't like that, they wouldn't move over so the cat could get on. They have a choice. They form relationships and mutual enjoyment.

It is very unfortunate that this accident occurred. It was not the fault of the riders, nor the horses. All animals need mental stimulation and action. No doubt that activity was enjoyable until the accident happened.

[Sky Jewels]

4. Those poor horses. I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.

Horses have a very strong fright/flight instinct. When I was a kid/teen, I was obsessed with horses. I had a sweet but spooky horse and survived a few major incidents (spooked lunges, almost into traffic; bucked off; run away with, etc.) I finally realized I was playing with fire and gave up riding. As an adult, I began to see things entirely from the horses' point of view --- the years of confinement and boredom, the uncomfortable bits in the mouths (that inexperienced riders yank on), the saddles strapped tightly around their bellies, the jumps that are too high, the humans commanding them where to go and when and how fast. It's all very distasteful to me now. I strongly believe rodeo and horse racing and Central Park carriage rides other exploitative events should be outlawed. And, yes, fuck pomp and circumstance and don't make horses live in the middle of a huge city.

[Butterflylady]

6. Does the UK have a PETA organization?

My only concern is what will happen if they can't be helped. Is there a place for retired horses to live out their life?

[TheBlackAdder]

12. I thought cavalry horses were supposed to be trains not to be spooked by noises. 🤔

You know, things like gunfire and artillery shell noises.

[A HERETIC I AM]

13. The noise was described as a large amount of construction material falling down a waste tube...

and it happened right behind the group. It was a loud and prolonged noise and that is what was unusual for these animals and that's what spooked them. They were on a regular exercise walk that contributes to their training and helps them get used to the sounds of the city. It happens all the time.

The spokesperson in the video below is a Jeanette Allen. She states that incidents like this are so extraordinarily rare that no Londoner could possibly recall it ever happening before.

She is Chief Executive of the "Horse Trust" a charity that looks after retired horses from the various guards. Her interview starts at the 3:00 mark.

Caution, this video does have footage of the bloodied horse running through the streets of the city.