Central London witnessed extraordinary scenes this morning as five military horses from the Household Cavalry broke loose during routine exercises, creating chaos through the city's streets and sending construction workers scrambling for safety.
Morning Exercises Turn to Mayhem
The drama unfolded near Buckingham Palace where the horses were conducting their regular training session. Startled by construction noise and falling rubble from a building site, the animals bolted from their handlers, embarking on a destructive path through the capital.
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moment the powerful horses careened into a Mercedes taxi, smashing its windows while the driver remained inside. The runaway steeds continued their rampage, scattering pedestrians and creating traffic gridlock across multiple central London locations.
Construction Site Panic
Builders working on a site near the initial incident reported the shocking moment the horses charged through their workspace. "They came thundering through, knocking over equipment and sending everyone running for cover," one construction worker recounted. "You don't expect to see military horses going wild in the middle of London."
Emergency Response and Recovery
Armed forces personnel and Metropolitan Police officers launched an immediate operation to contain the situation. Three horses were successfully recovered near Limehouse in east London, approximately five miles from where they initially bolted.
Tragically, two horses sustained significant injuries during the incident. One animal required emergency surgery at an equine hospital after suffering severe wounds, while another received extensive veterinary treatment.
Historic Regiment, Modern Incident
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, responsible for providing the Queen's Life Guard, has a centuries-old tradition of ceremonial duties in the capital. Today's incident marks one of the most dramatic breaches of protocol in recent memory, raising questions about urban training procedures for military animals.
An Army spokesperson confirmed that a number of military working horses became loose during routine exercise and that all horses have now been recovered. The incident is under full investigation as authorities assess what triggered the animals' panic and how similar situations can be prevented.
