Three military horses bolted through central London on Monday, the second incident in three months involving army animals breaking loose in the capital.
Six horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were taking part in a routine exercise under the control of five soldiers when the lead horse broke loose after being spooked by a London bus. This then led to two riders being unseated from their mounts, which also became loose.
Dashcam footage from a taxi showed one of the animals running into the bonnet of a car at a junction in Pimlico, central London. The animals bolted from Seville Street to South Eaton Place in Belgravia, where one horse was recovered. Two horses continued to Vauxhall Bridge via Belgrave Road before being stopped.
The Ministry of Defence said all horses were collected and returned to Hyde Park Barracks by 9.55am. None of the three horses were involved in a previous bolting incident on 24 April, the MoD added. An army spokesperson said: “We can confirm that, whilst exercising this morning, three horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment became loose from their riders. They were swiftly and safely recovered. One horse received minor injuries but no further treatment is required and there were no injuries to the soldiers involved.”
A Metropolitan police spokesperson said: “We’re aware that a number of horses were loose in central London and worked with the army to locate them. We’re pleased to confirm that all of the horses have been accounted for. We are continuing to liaise with the army.”
