On Wednesday, two Royal Guard horses, Vida and Trojan, caused a dramatic scene in the streets of London as they ran scared. Unfortunately, both horses are in serious condition after undergoing surgery. Vida, the white horse seen covered in blood during the incident, is currently hospitalized at an equine hospital following the operation.
Defense Minister James Cartlidge informed the public that three of the horses are doing fine, but two are in relatively serious condition. Despite this, all horses are still alive and being closely monitored. Four soldiers were also knocked from their mounts and hospitalized, but are expected to make a full recovery and return to duty soon.
The incident occurred when the horses heard a noise coming from a construction site. This caused them to bolt and escape, leading to a chaotic scene on the streets of London. While Vida and Trojan caused damage as they ran through traffic, all captured horses were eventually returned to Hyde Park barracks.
The Army trains with approximately 150 horses every day, making this incident extremely rare. The horses had been preparing for an upcoming military parade and event when they were frightened by the sudden noise. Despite the chaos, there were no serious injuries to the public, and the horses are being well cared for by veterinarians.
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Colonel Matt Woodward emphasized that the horses receive the highest standards of care and that those not requiring surgery are expected to return to duty soon. The Army expressed gratitude for the concern shown towards the soldiers and horses involved in the incident and provided updates on their condition.
In response to concerns about safety measures implemented during training exercises in London city center areas, Colonel Woodward explained that such incidents are extremely rare considering daily training exercises involving numerous riders and vehicles take place without any major accidents or injuries occurring regularly.
As such, he stated that “We continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure that our training exercises take place safely while also minimizing any potential risks.” Overall, it is hoped that this incident will serve as a reminder of how important it is for everyone involved in these exercises to remain vigilant and cautious at all times.
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