Several military horses were found running through central London on Monday morning after ditching their riders, marking the second such incident in less than three months. The horses, part of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, were quickly recovered by authorities. The incident occurred during a routine exercise with six horses and five riders when the lead horse got spooked by a passing London bus. This led to two riders falling off their horses, causing all three horses to take off together.
Dashcam footage shared by the BBC captured one horse narrowly missing a car as it trotted down a busy street. The trio ran from Seville Street to South Eaton Place before two of the horses were stopped at Vauxhall Bridge. All the animals were safely returned to Hyde Park Barracks with one horse receiving minor injuries.
This event mirrored a similar incident in late April when five military horses bolted through central London during morning rush hour after being spooked by construction noises. The horses caused chaos, damaging vehicles and injuring four people in various incidents. While none of the horses from the April incident were involved this time, the scene was reminiscent of the previous chaos.
Following the April incident, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals UK spoke out against the use of animals in the military, stating that animals are not equipment and should not be subjected to dangerous situations. They reiterated this sentiment on Monday, emphasizing that horses do not belong on busy streets.
The British Army assured the public that all horses and soldiers involved in Monday’s incident were unharmed, with the animals safely returned to their barracks. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of working with animals and the importance of proper training and handling procedures to prevent such events in the future. It also raises questions about the appropriateness of using animals in military activities, especially in urban environments where risks are higher.
As authorities investigate the cause of the horses bolting through London’s streets, concerns about animal welfare and public safety are at the forefront of the discussion. The incidents highlight the need for stringent protocols and safeguards to prevent similar situations from occurring and ensure the well-being of both animals and humans involved in military activities.
