The Household Cavalry horses who ran loose through London on Wednesday (24 April) are being “cared for and closely observed” as they recover from the incident.
The most severely injured were Vida, a grey horse, and Quaker, who both had operations on Wednesday night. Vida is being cared for at the Barracks stables while Quaker was transferred to an equine hospital.
The remaining horses who broke free from the group are expected to return to duty.
“Every one of the horses involved continue to be cared for and closely observed,” they said in an update issued this afternoon (Friday 26 April).
“All our horses receive the highest standards of care, and those that did not undergo surgery are expected to return to duty in due course.
“There are no further updates regarding our soldiers who were injured in the incident – all are expected to recover and return to duty. Once again we thank the public for their concern and kind messages. We will provide further updates as soon as we can.”
The horses were spooked while on an extended exercise ahead of a Major General’s Inspection, which was due to take place on yesterday in Hyde Park. The group included six soldiers and seven horses.
The horses were reportedly spooked by noise from building works. Four soldiers fell off and their horses ran loose.
They are believed to have collided with several vehicles as they ran. Big Bus Tours said a horse collided with one of its parked buses but that none of their staff were injured.
The London Ambulance Service said at least four people were hurt during the incident.
Defence minister James Cartlidge told Sky News Vida and Quaker were in a “serious condition” on Thursday morning.
“Three of them [who spooked] are fine, two of them are unfortunately in a relatively serious condition and obviously we will be monitoring that condition,” he added.
Yesterday afternoon (Thursday 25 April), according to the BBC, an Army spokesman said it is not believed the horses sustained broken bones. He said he hoped both horses made a recovery but it was too early to say if they would be able to return to their duties.
“Vida was the most visibly injured and the pictures of the horse running through London soaked in blood were horrifying,” he said. “The extent of the injuries is not completely clear, but we don’t believe at this stage there are any broken bones. The injuries are consistent with serious lacerations.”
More to follow.
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