AIBU Kings Guard horse bit tourist

It’s astounding how many tourists don’t seem to have the first idea that horses are huge unpredictable flight animals. OTOH I wonder if these are the same kind of people who allow their children to bang on the glass in aquariums or zoos, deliberately tormenting sentient beings

Unfortunately, Iam64, there are still many like that - witness the ones who still swim with dolphins, despite the appalling conditions in which these poor creatures are kept. They don't care - it's just something else to tick off their 'bucket list'.

People are talking about 'common sense', but how many people these days have any experience of horses at all?

I could see within seconds of watching the video that that was one very angry and upset horse, which I would have approached with great caution if it was necessary to get close to it at all. But I'm used to horses. When you're used to them you get very good at reading their moods and not putting yourself in positions which could be dangerous.

I would suspect that most of the tourists crowding round are totally ignorant of horse behaviour and don't stop to think of the danger because they don't know the dangers.

I admit I got a sneaking feeling that the rider wasn't making much attempt to control the horse...such a loose rein it was on. Perhaps they'd got a bit peed off with ignorant tourists..

MaizieD

People are talking about 'common sense', but how many people these days have any experience of horses at all?

I could see within seconds of watching the video that that was one very angry and upset horse, which I would have approached with great caution if it was necessary to get close to it at all. But I'm used to horses. When you're used to them you get very good at reading their moods and not putting yourself in positions which could be dangerous.

I would suspect that most of the tourists crowding round are totally ignorant of horse behaviour and don't stop to think of the danger because they don't know the dangers.

I admit I got a sneaking feeling that the rider wasn't making much attempt to control the horse...such a loose rein it was on. Perhaps they'd got a bit peed off with ignorant tourists..

There are people who video nonstop these horses and being bitten happens fairly often .
This is just an impossible situation and for the sake of the horses there should be a barrier .
I watched watch a few horses refuse to go in to the enclosed area and eventually get to leave . Can’t blame them for saying no in the way that they can .

let's remember some of these troopers are women.
some posters are referring to men/guardsmen etc.

This has got to be the ‘wokest, pc comment I have ever read on here. 🫤

Syracute

MaizieD

People are talking about 'common sense', but how many people these days have any experience of horses at all?

I could see within seconds of watching the video that that was one very angry and upset horse, which I would have approached with great caution if it was necessary to get close to it at all. But I'm used to horses. When you're used to them you get very good at reading their moods and not putting yourself in positions which could be dangerous.

I would suspect that most of the tourists crowding round are totally ignorant of horse behaviour and don't stop to think of the danger because they don't know the dangers.

I admit I got a sneaking feeling that the rider wasn't making much attempt to control the horse...such a loose rein it was on. Perhaps they'd got a bit peed off with ignorant tourists..

There are people who video nonstop these horses and being bitten happens fairly often .
This is just an impossible situation and for the sake of the horses there should be a barrier .
I watched watch a few horses refuse to go in to the enclosed area and eventually get to leave . Can’t blame them for saying no in the way that they can .

I wasn't trying to offer a solution, but it seems to me that the army should just use dismounted guardsmen if the tourists can't be kept under control. (Perhaps though, the army could take a leaf out of the Spaniards' book and issue the guardsmen with water pistols; soak the tourists if they get too close 😂)

A shame, because the mounted ones have a character of their own, but I doubt if dismounting them would make any difference to their utility (which must surely be very low?)

I watched watch a few horses refuse to go in to the enclosed area and eventually get to leave . Can’t blame them for saying no in the way that they can
Forgive my scepticism.
Did they buck their riders off? No?
No, - they are well trained horses and do as they are “told”.
It takes a lot to spook a trained army horse (eg the cases a few weeks ago when some horses bolted through the London streets nearby) certainly more than a stroppy tourist.

It's tradition . If people behave which they usually do, I'd hate to see it stopped.

Lovely clip of a lady beaming broadly as she stood by horse and guardsman She then proudly held up her banner which said, I'm his mum.

Guardsman did actually do a tiny smile!

I’m not used to horses therefore would treat them with much respect, they’re big!
Common sense does seem to vanish when a selfie moment takes over.
If there are quite a few of these nipping/ biting incidents tho, then maybe as MaizieD suggests that they use Guardsmen and not horses.We wouldn’t want any children hurt would we?

Have you not seen clips of guardsmen as they march across the square, Oreo ? They will shout out a warning but woe betide you get in their way.

Plenty of clips where small children are sent flying.

There are warning signs everywhere. Perhaps don't take children in that vicinity.

Why we should drop a tradition because tourists behave stupidly, I'll never know

Exactly, Rekarie - and surely it's up to the parents to keep their little darlings under control when they are near any animal, never mind horses.

Because it’s hard to stop tourists behaving stupidly and it’s not worth anyone, especially children getting hurt for the sake of tradition.

It’s up to parents to keep their children safe while they enjoy watching the Guards on horseback
I still believe a painted area beyond which tourists aren’t allowed might be needed. As MaizeD commented - anyone who knows horses would have kept a distance from the clearly fed up horse

Oh please...

MissInterpreted

Exactly, Rekarie - and surely it's up to the parents to keep their little darlings under control when they are near any animal, never mind horses.

Absolutely!

That’s the problem, people don’t know horses, so a painted line that they have to stay behind may work.

Well pardon me for not wanting a child to be hurt by a horse.

MissInterpreted

Oh please...

I'd have liked that if we had a like button! 👍

Oreo

I’m not used to horses therefore would treat them with much respect, they’re big!
Common sense does seem to vanish when a selfie moment takes over.
If there are quite a few of these nipping/ biting incidents tho, then maybe as MaizieD suggests that they use Guardsmen and not horses.We wouldn’t want any children hurt would we?

I’m not used to horses therefore would treat them with much respect, they’re big!

So simple isn't it - hear, hear for your common sense!

Oreo

Well pardon me for not wanting a child to be hurt by a horse.

Well pardon me for thinking that parents have a responsibility for keeping their children under control in those kind of situations.

RosiesMaw2

^I watched watch a few horses refuse to go in to the enclosed area and eventually get to leave . Can’t blame them for saying no in the way that they can^
Forgive my scepticism.
Did they buck their riders off? No?
No, - they are well trained horses and do as they are “told”.
It takes a lot to spook a trained army horse (eg the cases a few weeks ago when some horses bolted through the London streets nearby) certainly more than a stroppy tourist.

No , not that I have seen but sometimes ( despite their training ) they just refuse to do what they are told and they start coming too close to the public and at the point they can’t control the horse they do go back to the stalls . Sometimes , they have a soldier come out and have a chat with the horse … but it doesn’t always work .

MissInterpreted

I’d have liked your comments too if there was a like button.

What’s the solution? Get rid of the horses. How about people take responsibility for themselves?

The mounted guardsman and indeed the sentry in ceremonial uniform is only there for tourists to see and photograph if they wish, it is a tourist activity and must be done safely.
Its not at all unusual for horses to bite, there are thousands of tourists in London many from China, Japan, India and many other foreign places, you have to assume they don’t understand horses or signs.

It has nothing to do with security that could be done by police or army in normal uniforms.

It's tradition - but those guardsmen are fully trained soldiers, it is not just some kind of ceremonial role. Do they not have horses in the countries you mention?

David49

The mounted guardsman and indeed the sentry in ceremonial uniform is only there for tourists to see and photograph if they wish, it is a tourist activity and must be done safely.
Its not at all unusual for horses to bite, there are thousands of tourists in London many from China, Japan, India and many other foreign places, you have to assume they don’t understand horses or signs.

It has nothing to do with security that could be done by police or army in normal uniforms.

I have to disagree with you David
Royal ceremonial is traditional and not staged for the benefit of tourists.
Every mounted guardsman, band musician, or drum major is a trained serving soldier. The bearer party for the late Queen were recalled from service abroad as were many of the musicians in the bands and mounted cavalry.
As for “foreigners” not understanding horses - where do you think polo was first played? How did the Mongol hordes sweep across Asia and Eastern Europe?
Not on a 53 bus or by EasyJet.