Army gives update on Household Cavalry horses injured bolting through London

Two horses on the loose bolt through the streets of London near Aldwych (Picture: PA)

Two Household Cavalry horses seriously injured when they bolted through central London last week are making progress following surgery, the Army has said.

The pair – Quaker, a Cavalry black, and a grey called Vida – ran after being spooked by builders moving rubble during an extended exercise in Belgravia on Wednesday.

In an update, the British Army said Quaker has ‘shown significant improvement and progresses towards what is expected to be a full recovery’.

Vida, who was seen galloping through the streets while covered in blood, ‘remains under close and careful professional veterinary observation’, it went on.

The statement added: ‘We are so thankful for everyone’s concern and expressions of support, and for all those involved in their care.’

Four service personnel were thrown from their horses and five of the animals got loose, smashing into vehicles, including a double-decker bus, and causing a number of injuries.

The Army spokesperson said: ‘Of the soldiers injured, two are still undergoing treatment in hospital but will make a full recovery.

‘The remainder have returned to work.’

They added: ‘Healing takes time – please be patient as we support that process. The soldiers and horses are all receiving the very best of care.’

Vida, who was seen galloping through the streets while covered in blood, ‘remains under close and careful professional veterinary observation’ (Picture: PA)

A black horse collides with a London Taxi after bolting down the A4 near Aldwych, central London (Picture: PA)

Passers-by comfort one of the distressed horses (Picture: @eligalezz)

The horses who broke loose were later named as Vida, Trojan, Quaker and Tennyson.

Ambulance crews treated four people on Wednesday in three separate incidents in Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square and at the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street, in the space of just 10 minutes.

The drama began near Buckingham Palace Road where witnesses saw a serviceman thrown from his horse and one of the loose animals crashed into a taxi waiting outside the Clermont Hotel, shattering windows.

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Two horses were then seen running in the road near Aldwych, one of which appeared to be covered in blood, which the Army said was ‘consistent with lacerations’.

Jordan Pettitt, 26, who works for the PA news agency, said the grey horse was ‘vividly’ stained red with blood and he heard a black horse collide with a taxi.

The animals were later seen near the Limehouse Tunnel, before they were recaptured by City of London Police and taken away to be assessed by Army vets.

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