Army horses loose on London streets

I hope we will be kept informed about what it was that spooked such exceptionally well trained horses

Maybe something in the feed that shouldn't have been there

A horse that has been desensitised to gun shots and fireworks is still capable of spooking at a plastic bag ( ie a lion waiting to pounce on it) lying in the road. I wish they’d say what the injuries are so I can have an idea of the chance of survival.

MayBee70

A horse that has been desensitised to gun shots and fireworks is still capable of spooking at a plastic bag ( ie a lion waiting to pounce on it) lying in the road. I wish they’d say what the injuries are so I can have an idea of the chance of survival.

Exactly. Even the most placid, laid-back of horses can spook at something of the blue. And yes, I am also really hoping that all the horses will be ok.

Getting on with horses is all about confidence, the horse has got to trust the rider, the rider has got to be confident riding the horse. If you have a novice rider and a frightened horse it’s a dangerous combination, usually the rider gets hurt.

When you have a large group of horses out for exercise and training once one gets scared it can easily set the others off, if a second horse is being led by the riders, it’s chaos very quickly.

The Officer in the video seemed to indicate that building materials were dropped right next to the horses in a side road. No wonder they were spooked. If they were hit by piecesa of concrete that could account for the injuries.

MayBee70

A horse that has been desensitised to gun shots and fireworks is still capable of spooking at a plastic bag ( ie a lion waiting to pounce on it) lying in the road. I wish they’d say what the injuries are so I can have an idea of the chance of survival.

I wish they'd tell us that, too.

The grey I think has been taken to hospital. 🤞🤞🤞🤞crossed it has a successful recovery.

Germanshepherdsmum

They use Holkham beach Pamela.

I know but it might be easier to park in Wells but if they go towards Hunstanton we won’t see them.

So upsetting. I believe that at least one of the riders was a young woman. It was being said that builders were dropping rubble from a great height. This next to them. This is odd as the horses and riders must have been very obvious and usually attract attention.

PamelaJ1

Germanshepherdsmum

They use Holkham beach Pamela.

I know but it might be easier to park in Wells but if they go towards Hunstanton we won’t see them.

You will see them because they have to return to the lorry park at end of Lady Anne’s Drive on Holkham beach. It’s such a vast beach so they do plenty of galloping.

It costs £7 parking for up to 4 hrs or £10 for the whole day but it’s worth it. The horses usually arrive about 11 I believe.

Sorry, all day parking at Holkham is now £13.50.

And I remember when it was free!

As were prescriptions! 😁

Lovetopaint037

So upsetting. I believe that at least one of the riders was a young woman. It was being said that builders were dropping rubble from a great height. This next to them. This is odd as the horses and riders must have been very obvious and usually attract attention.

Yes, read this too
Lt Col Matt Woodward, commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, said the horses bolted after "building materials were dropped from height right next to them"

All I can say is bl**dy irresponsible of the building team and company. 🤬🤬🤬🤬

Exactly RosiesMaw - I hope there’s some accountability but don’t expect there will be

Iam64

Exactly RosiesMaw - I hope there’s some accountability but don’t expect there will be

Quite likely they were shoveling rubble down a closed chute into an empty skip that would have made a hell of a clatter, traffic 4 stories below would not be seen.
One of the hazards you can’t predict, certainly potential noise startling horses would not be part of the risk assessment on the site.

In the video clip I saw, it wasn't a closed chute - the rubble was coming up some kind of conveyor belt type of thing into the empty lorry and was making a hell of a racket.

I heard on the news that the grey who was covered in blood has now been discharged back to the stables, but another one remains in an equine hospital. The reporter said they were hoping the horses would be able to return to duties but I really hope that is not the case for the two who were most severely injured - it seems the equivalent of sending a soldier with PTSD back into battle.

It also worries me from a safety angle - I think they may no longer be entirely reliable in the conditions they encounter every day in a busy city - surely it would be more humane to retire them or place them in foster homes where they can have a quieter life, which I believe is a regular option when these horses leave service.

nightowl, your post expressed my feelings about the future of these horses. I ve not ridden in years but loved every minute I spent with horses and ponies from 11 - 60 years of age

My life with dogs though continues. My young lab had a series of negative life experiences. I’ve had excellent advice from trainers and his reactivity continues to reduce. They’re clear though he will continue to need careful sensitive handling. Hes just a family pet but will need more input than any of my other dogs, even rescues

These horses hopefully will recover physically but horses are sensitive creatures

That is so sad Iam, thank goodness your lab has you to help him recover as much as he can from his trauma. Animals cannot express their fears but react instinctively and show us by their behaviour when they are overwhelmed. We owe it to them to listen and to believe what they tell us. I read that the grey horse had spooked before - I know all horses can spook but maybe that was the first warning sign and it’s time to recognise that this life is not for him. Like many of us, I’m looking out for updates and hoping for the best outcome for all involved.

The London evening news at 6 pm said 2 horses have had serious surgery and one may have to be put to sleep but it is too early yet.

I do not think they should be returned to work, they should have an early retirement and those builders should be sued.

It said no broken bones so I’m assuming it’s tendon damage which is very worrying?

Maybee I read that the injuries were lacerations from running into cars and the like. But of course there may have been more.

didn't one run into and smash the windscreen of a tourist bus.