Chaotic scenes as horses from King's Guard bolt through London again after breaking free from riders

Three military horses have been 'swiftly and safely' recovered after bolting through the centre of London on Monday (1 July) morning.

The incident happened this morning when six horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were conducting a routine exercise under the control of five soldiers.

The lead horse, which was being led and not ridden, became loose after being spooked by a London bus.

This resulted in two riders becoming unseated from their horses, who also became loose.

The trio of animals bolted from Seville Street to South Eaton Place, where one horse was recovered.

Two horses continued to Vauxhall Bridge via Belgrave Road before being stopped.

Footage from a black cab driver in London which was posted onto social media showed the horses encountering the cab on Lupus Street, Pimlico, at around 8:30am.

Got hit by them in Lupus St Pimlico pic.twitter.com/PB50tMuA6v

— @davenoisome (@Davenoisome) July 1, 2024

Fortunately for London, the animals and all involved the Ministry of Defence confirmed all horses were collected and returned to Hyde Park Barracks by 9.55am.

None of the three horses were involved in the previous bolting incident from 24 April, the Ministry also said.

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 spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police 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."

This matter may remind you of that similar incident in April where Londoners spotted multiple horses, one of which appeared to be covered in blood, running through the city streets.

The London Ambulance service had been called to reports of a person being thrown from their horse on the morning of 24 April.

Once again in that instance the police were later able to confirm that all of the horses had been successfully wrangled and brought back under control.

Normally the horses make the news for their responses to tourists who try to bother them, and one would hope that there are not further incidents of 'spooked' horses running through the centre of London.

Luckily this time nobody was injured and only one horse sustained 'minor injuries' which do not require further treatment.