Military horses continue recovery after bolting through London

Soldiers and military horses injured when the animals bolted through central London last week are continuing to recover, the British Army said.

A group of seven horses and six soldiers from the Household Cavalry regiment were on an extended exercise in Belgravia last Wednesday (24 April) when the animals became spooked by nearby builders dropping rubble from a height.

Four service personnel were thrown from their horses after five of the horses got loose, smashing into vehicles, including a double-decker bus, and causing several injuries.

Issuing an update on X, the army said two soldiers remain in hospital undergoing treatment, but will make a “full recovery”.

Two horses underwent surgery, with Quaker, a Cavalry black, showing “significant improvement” and progressing towards what is expected to be a full recovery.

Vida, the grey horse seen in videos and images covered in blood, continues to make progress and remains “under close and careful” veterinary observation as his wounds heal.

The statement added: “We are so thankful for everyone’s concern and expressions of support, and for all those involved in their care.

“Healing takes time – please be patient as we support that process. The soldiers and horses are all receiving the very best of care.”

Ambulance crews treated four people within ten minutes on Wednesday in three incidents – in Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square, and at the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street.

The drama began near Buckingham Palace Road, where witnesses saw a serviceman thrown from his horse, and one of the loose animals crashed into a taxi waiting outside the Clermont Hotel, shattering its windows.

Two horses were then seen running in the road near Aldwych, with Vida displaying wounds the Army said were “consistent with lacerations”.

The animals made it as far as the Limehouse Tunnel, five miles away, before they were recaptured by City of London Police and taken away to be assessed by Army vets.

The two horses were operated on overnight on Wednesday, with Defence Minister James Cartlidge saying on Thursday morning that they were in a “serious condition”.

The Household Cavalry is made up of the two most senior regiments in the British Army: the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.

It is divided into the Household Cavalry Regiment, stationed at Kiwi Barracks in Wiltshire, and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, which is garrisoned at Hyde Park Barracks in London.

The Mounted Regiment carries out ceremonial duties on state and royal occasions, including providing the escort during Trooping the Colour.