Army horses loose on London streets

jusnoneed

Hopefully all involved are recovering, human and animal.

Just to put another view - I do wonder why they are still using horses like this in this day and age. They are not needed by the military so presume it's all just for show/tourists. What it must cost.

Purely ceremonial, and it does cost a lot, it’s all part of our heritage, the majority of the UK including myself support the pageantry and ceremony and no doubt it’s all part of the tourism appeal.

With defence cuts probably the amount of training that the horses get has been cut to a minimum, I’ve noticed horses in the parades that have been unsettled, as for feeding they will be fed the correct diet, not too much or too little because horses are very sensitive to being over fed, it causes endless problems.

That’s terrible vegansrock. And they are just there for show, for ceremonial purposes - unlike police horses which are working horses, out and about, plenty of exercise and lots to keep them mentally stimulated.

vegansrock

Heard an ex cavalry officer on the radio saying these horses are in their stalls for 23 hours a day and only get a 6 week break a year. I can see they are useful for the police in certain circumstances, but the military ones are just for show. I feel sorry for these horses.

I was thinking about that when it happened. They're confined in stalls with no chance to move around (loose boxes would give them a bit more freedom) for the best part of the day, get minimal exercise and I suspect that they might be overfed to keep them looking in top condition. It's not a good life for a horse, nor one that is likely to keep them mentally calm. I wonder how many of them have stable vices (crib biting, windsucking & weaving).

There was an incident the same day of a horse throwing its rider during a parade on Horse Guards. I've seen a longish video of this. The horses were unsettled as they came onto the parade ground and they took ages to get them to line up. Lots of backing and head tossing and refusal to stand still. And the half rear that deposited the rider on the ground.

Noticeably, the police horses accompanying them stood like rocks...

Heard an ex cavalry officer on the radio saying these horses are in their stalls for 23 hours a day and only get a 6 week break a year. I can see they are useful for the police in certain circumstances, but the military ones are just for show. I feel sorry for these horses.

Hopefully all involved are recovering, human and animal.

Just to put another view - I do wonder why they are still using horses like this in this day and age. They are not needed by the military so presume it's all just for show/tourists. What it must cost.

So very sad for all concerned. As Kate said, one horse sets the other off, they are flight animals.. Frightening for the riders gaining control and the cyclist. A freak accident.

Oh goodness, I didn’t even realise a cyclist was injured as well. How frightening.

No-one mentioned the injured cyclist.

I hope they are OK.
Imagine cycling through Central London and being run down by a runaway horse.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 🤬🤬🤬🤬

As were prescriptions! 😁

And I remember when it was free!

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

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.

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.

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.