Runaway Horses Blaze Through London
Five horses escaped handlers on Wednesday, wreaking havoc through the city and leaving a lot of unanswered questions in their wake.
“A number of military working horses became loose during routine exercise this morning,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence told NPR. “All of the horses have now been recovered and returned to camp.”
According to officials from within the ministry, seven horses and six riders from the Life Guards were conducting routine exercises when they passed a construction site, and the “sound of concrete hitting the ground” spooked the horses.
Five of the seven horses bolted, and three soldiers were taken to the hospital immediately with non-life-threatening injuries.
This statement was released by London Police via X, formerly Twitter.
At around 8.40am, we were called about horses that had became loose and were travelling through the City.
Our officers have contained two horses on the Highway near Limehouse. We’re waiting for an Army horse box to collect the horses and transport them to veterinary care. https://t.co/Oc6CPX32yR
— City of London Police (@CityPolice) April 24, 2024
The horses were loose for close to two hours, with NPR reporting British news offices were “flooded” with videos of the horses, one with bright red liquid covering its front end.
It’s unknown whether this liquid was paint or blood, though one bystander reported a horse smashing into a parked Mercedes, and another reported a horse hitting a double-decker bus. Photos of a broken windshield were shown as evidence.
Big Bus Tours has confirmed that a horse ran into one of its parked buses. The company said none of its staff were injured.
The horse that collided with the bus was calmed by pedestrians who petted its nose and led it away from the road.
Live updates: https://t.co/EgRP0F9j49 pic.twitter.com/JpUSBgcRk1
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) April 24, 2024
In total, four people were injured and all horses were captured, but their condition has not been revealed by authorities.
UPDATE | We’re pleased to confirm that all of the horses have been accounted for. We are continuing to liaise with the Army
— Westminster Police | Central West BCU (@MPSWestminster) April 24, 2024
Go riding.
Amanda Uechi Ronan is an author, equestrian, and wannabe race car driver. Follow her on Instagram @amanda_uechi_ronan.
