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Army horses loose on London streets

(133 Posts)
tanith Wed 24-Apr-24 11:12:40

Several horses have somehow got loose and have caused several accidents one horse looks very bloody. I know they often transport horses to their training ground at the Scrubs in W. London in large horse boxes. I hope there aren’t any serious injuries. It looks like they’ve all been recaptured now.
I think someone is for the high jump!

tickingbird Wed 24-Apr-24 11:20:36

I saw that. One grey had blood all over its chest and a solder has been quite badly injured. I hope all are ok.

Septimia Wed 24-Apr-24 11:56:26

It's unusual for army horses to be spooked like that. They're usually pretty "bombproof". I once rode an army horse when on an activity day. Even machine guns being fired just a few yards away produced no reaction in it or its companions. It must have been something quite unexpected that upset them today.

Primrose53 Wed 24-Apr-24 12:00:44

Watched the footage of the St George’s Day gathering on TV and the Police went in very heavy handed when there was really no need. Pity they didn’t show such action for other recent marches.

I thought they were Police horses.

Wyllow3 Wed 24-Apr-24 12:10:18

The army horse incidents were this morning. Nothing to do with Police use.

Aldom Wed 24-Apr-24 12:13:49

It was the Household Cavalry. Five horses unseated their riders. Thought possibly spooked by builders moving concrete.

MissInterpreted Wed 24-Apr-24 12:25:29

I hope both the horses and riders will be ok. Army horses (and police horses too) are extremely well-trained, but I know from experience that even the most 'bombproof' horse can be spooked.

MayBee70 Wed 24-Apr-24 12:33:17

They must have been so scared. I hope no one has been seriously injured.

yogitree Wed 24-Apr-24 12:40:25

Poor horses. Hope they and their riders are all recovering well.

Iam64 Wed 24-Apr-24 13:04:05

Police and army horses are well chosen for temperament then excellent ongoing training
They are flight animals though and if seriously upset can bolt, if one goes it’s likely it’s friends will as they’re also herd animals
Relieved to hear horses and riders not seriously hurt

Iam64 Wed 24-Apr-24 13:08:44

Primrose53

Watched the footage of the St George’s Day gathering on TV and the Police went in very heavy handed when there was really no need. Pity they didn’t show such action for other recent marches.

I thought they were Police horses.

Primrose - Unlike the pro Palestinian marches , police rightly anticipated some drunken behaviour in the St George’s day demo.

I’m not supporting the disruptive pro Palestine marches and feel strongly about the impact on Londoners , especially members of the Jewish community.

welbeck Wed 24-Apr-24 13:12:02

4 people taken to hospital

welbeck Wed 24-Apr-24 13:16:12

ambulance was called to buckingham palace gate 08:30, 2 horses inc bloodied grey seen later in the aldwych heading east.
that is about a mile away, presumably they ran up the mall, across trafalgar square and down the strand, very busy areas.
could have been worse. other traffic would not expect to encounter such a sight.

henetha Wed 24-Apr-24 13:20:35

I do hope the horses are alright.
Household Cavalry I think they were.
Watching the video I thought what a beautiful sight. I live near race horses and think they are one of the loveliest animals.

greenlady102 Wed 24-Apr-24 13:21:47

MissInterpreted

I hope both the horses and riders will be ok. Army horses (and police horses too) are extremely well-trained, but I know from experience that even the most 'bombproof' horse can be spooked.

five horses didn't unseat their riders, some had no saddles on.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 24-Apr-24 13:28:58

I agree henetha. Noble creatures.

RosiesMaw Wed 24-Apr-24 13:40:23

Those poor creatures must have been terrified of whatever triggered it. I too hope no serious injuries were caused and that horses and riders are all safe now.

Urmstongran Wed 24-Apr-24 13:42:45

“ Five Household Cavalry horses, including one soaked with blood, ran loose in central London after they were 'spooked by the noise of builders moving concrete'. Five people, including a soldier who was riding on of the horses, were injured in three separate incidents during the six-mile rampage”

Source: Daily Mail.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 24-Apr-24 13:51:00

I hope the horses will be ok.

Dinahmo Wed 24-Apr-24 14:29:27

In Devon there is a charity that looks after retired police horses. The son of the founder and his wife moved to France for more land and brought some of the horses with them.

We went on an open and were told about the behaviour of some people during demonstrations. Apparently they used to throw ball bearings under the horses' feet to make them stumble and possibly fall and also to hit them with sticks on their noses. Some of them were traumatised.

In case anyone is interested I am attaching a link.

www.dhaps.org.uk/brantome-police-horses

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 24-Apr-24 14:38:18

Thank you Dinahmo. All my charitable donations go to animals, and most are for the welfare of horses and donkeys - terribly abused throughout history and with no rights whatsoever in some parts of the world.

Sparklefizz Wed 24-Apr-24 14:55:34

A thug actually punched a police horse on the nose last year at a demo. Disgraceful!

Urmstongran Wed 24-Apr-24 14:56:54

Remember how Queen Elizabeth kept her horse Burmese under control when that mad man fired a starting pistol as she drew near, making for the parade ground for Trooping the Colour on her birthday parade?

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 24-Apr-24 14:59:53

Yes, I do. She was a wonderful horsewoman.

PamelaJ1 Wed 24-Apr-24 16:55:09

The horses come up to Norfolk for their holidays. They are based near Thetford and get taken up to the coast for ‘swimming’.
They put on a display for the public at their holiday camp.
Apparently the army prefer non riders to train up as they won’t have developed their own style of riding. I won’t swear to that but it is what I was told.
Hope no one was badly hurt or even slightly injured.