On Wednesday, April 24, four military horses bolted and went wild through the streets of London. They fled after being spooked and hearing the sound of building concrete hitting the floor while exercising with three other horses in the upscale Belgravia district. Vida, Trojan, Quaker, and Tennyson are the names of the Household Cavalry’s four military horses who ran wild. While fleeing and making their escape, the horses also threw their riders off the saddle. However, in a statement posted on X (i.e. Twitter), the British Army acknowledged and confirmed that the three soldiers thrown off the horses were:
Expected to recover fully and return to duty.
Unfortunately, this cannot be said for two of the four military horses in London under serious conditions that escaped and ran away. More specifically the two military horses in serious condition right now are Quaker and Vida. Moreover, because the military horses ran away during the morning rush hour, they encountered numerous dangerous obstacles along the way, resulting in very serious and harmful injuries. Now the two horses are in critical condition and receiving the best and highest standers of care possible. More about there condition is not known at the moment. But the most important thing right now is that they’re still alive and battling for their lives.
London Military Horses Escape
In addition, as was previously mentioned, the horses bolted during London rush hour. For this reason, rushing into traffic after running a red light at an intersection was one of the problems that led to the horse’s injuries. Also, one of the military horses that is under serious conditions crashed a taxi’s windows outside the Clermont Hotel.
A different horse crashed into a tour bus, the windshield was damaged. Plus a cyclist and a motorbike rider at a traffic light were also almost hit by the horses in a video that was taken by a startled commuter and posted on social media. Two additional incidents that could have had disastrous consequences.
Furthermore, due to the negative situations that the military horses encounter. Vida, a white horse, was bathed in blood as it ran down Aldwych, in between London’s historic financial center and the busy West End theater district. The horse underwent treatment for lacerations and the army stated that:
Vida was the most visibly injured and the pictures of the horse running through London soaked in blood were horrifying.
Quaker, on the other hand, was taken to an equestrian hospital for specialized treatment. There is no indication of any broken bones at this time, but the military London horse is under serious conditions and will be examined further for any non-visible injuries.
Facing the Consequences
Additionally, a spokeswoman for the London Ambulance Service also confirmed that the military horses escape resulted in the injuries of four innocent commuters. However, the four people who were injured were immediately taken to the hospital. In order to received the professional medical treatment needed to treat the injuries that resulted from the incident.
Fortunately, there is no mention of any significant injury to these individuals. They do not have any life-threatening injuries, and with adequate care, they should be able to recover smoothly.
Could this Incident Have Been Prevented?
Furthermore, the sight of injured and terrified military horses clattering through the streets of London has already reached animal rights advocates. This group has begun to challenge the Army’s practice of keeping horses. In fact, animal Rising issued a petition, saying:
These magnificent animals were so freighted that they ran through the streets of London, injuring both people and themselves. It is clear that these horses do not belong in the army, and they deserve a better life.
The activists have established a petition to encourage people to sing and distribute this petition. In order to relocate the horses to a refuge where they can live out their lives in peace. However, Jeanette Allen, the head of the charity the Horse Trust, has mentioned that all of the horses in their care are happy to work and have a strong bond with their riders. In reality, no incidence like this one had ever occurred before.
Despite the back and forth arguing, people are allowed to establish their own opinions. Whether this disaster could have been avoided if the horses had been properly trained or if the army needs to obtain other, more suitable military horses for the army. Overall, this argument can continue in a variety of directions, and people are allowed to think what they wish.
Written By Nohemi Sanchez
Daily Beast: Bloodied Horse Seriously Injured but Alive, Army Says
People News: 2 Royal Horses in ‘Serious Condition’ After Bolting Through London
AP: 2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Featured Image Courtesy of R Boed Flicker Page – Creative Common License
First Inset Images Courtesy of kaybay_h Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image Billy Wilson Flickr Pages – Creative Common License
