Two military horses that bolted through the streets of London after being frightened by construction noise and throwing their riders are in serious condition and required surgeries, according to a British government official.
The incident occurred on Wednesday near Buckingham Palace during routine exercises involving four horses from the Household Cavalry, the monarch’s ceremonial guard.
The horses, named Vida, Trojan, Quaker, and Tennyson, broke free and galloped through central London streets during the morning rush hour, causing chaos. A fifth horse attempted to bolt but was unable to break free.
Three of the soldiers who were thrown from the horses were hospitalized with injuries but are expected to fully recover and return to duty.
Defense minister James Cartlidge provided an update on the horses’ conditions, stating that while three of them are fine, two are in a relatively serious condition and are being closely monitored.
One of the horses was transferred to an equine hospital for further care.
Vida, a white horse, was seen covered in blood as it ran at high speed down Aldwych, more than 5 miles (8 kilometers) from where it initially bolted. Quaker, a black horse, was seen bumping into a taxi as it turned into oncoming traffic after running through a red light at an intersection. All of the horses were eventually captured and taken back to their barracks in Hyde Park.
Cartlidge emphasized that the army trains with approximately 150 horses every day, making this incident exceptionally rare. He expressed relief that no serious injuries to the public had been reported and assured that the situation would be closely monitored.
The Household Cavalry horses are a well-known feature of state functions in London, and the incident has drawn attention to the challenges of training and managing these animals in an urban environment.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.