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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Jacob Phillips

Horses injured as they bolted through London set to join King's Birthday Parade after 'remarkable recovery'

Three military horses that were injured after they rampaged for six miles through central London are likely to take part in the King's Birthday Parade.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said all five military horses injured on April 24, alongside soldiers who were injured when the animals bolted, were continuing to make "remarkable progress".

Three of the horses injured - Trojan, Tennyson, and Vanquish - are back on duty and "against all expectations, are looking likely to take part in the King's Birthday Parade on June 15," the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) said.

The remaining two injured horses - Vida and Quaker - are "enjoying a summer holiday" in the country but look set to return to work in due course. Following the incident the army warned that the two animals may never return to service.

In an announcement on X, an Army spokesperson said: "Three horses are back on duty and are likely to take part in the King’s Birthday Parade this month. Vida and Quaker are resting in the countryside for as long as they need, before being assessed for their suitability to return to work. “Three of the soldiers are back on duty and two are still recovering. They are expected to make a full return to service.

“For the horses, this remarkable recovery is thanks to the excellent in-house care they’ve received from our own dedicated veterinary surgeons and the amazing specialist support provided by The Horse Trust.”

Household Cavalry horses Quaker (black, left) and Vida (grey) making progress in their recovery after bolting through the streets of London in April (British Army/PA) (PA Media)

Quaker and Vida were pictured storming through London covered in blood after being spooked by builders moving rubble while they were on an extended exercise with five other horses and six soldiers from the Household Cavalry in Belgravia in April.Ambulance crews treated four people in three separate incidents in Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square and at the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street, in the space of 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.

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”.

A tour bus was damaged as the horses bolted through central London (.)

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.

Once Trojan, Tennyson, and Vanquish were well enough to travel after the incident, they were sent for respite at The Horse Trust in the Chilterns until they were fit to return to London.

On the same day the three horses left the Chilterns to return to Hyde Park Barracks, Vida and Quaker - who were the most severely injured - were pronounced fit to travel and arrived at The Horse Trust for their respite care, having been discharged from veterinary care in London, the Army said.

Vida and Quaker "made a remarkable physical recovery and showed great enthusiasm and joy upon their arrival at The Horse Trust, galloping into fresh pastures".

Cavalry Grey Vida, who was seen covered in blood galloping through central London, "wasted no time in turning from white to brown as he rolled in the grass".

"The horses appeared bright and in good spirits, clearly displaying a close bond with each other and the soldiers who accompanied them," the Army said.

"The facility offers a serene environment for relaxation, ensuring each horse receives personalised and attentive care."

Quaker and Vida were seen running through central London (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

The horses will remain with The Horse Trust for as long as they need before being assessed for their suitability to return to work.

Jeanette Allen, chief executive officer at The Horse Trust, said: "It has been a privilege to provide these wonderful horses with the space and time needed to fully recover.

"It's been so lovely to see Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish enjoying such a relaxing break and now we have Vida and Quaker already loving their time here.

"All five horses are much younger than our regular Service residents and seeing them running, rolling and generally having fun after such a challenging experience, is a real joy."

Lieutenant Colonel Mathew Woodward, Commanding Officer HCMR said: "All five of the horses injured during the incident are recovering with remarkable speed and it is very likely that Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish will participate in the King's Birthday Parade later this month.

"The remaining two, Vida and Quaker, are enjoying a summer holiday in the Chilterns thanks to The Horse Trust.

"They are expected to make a full recovery and we look forward to seeing them back on duty in due course.

"Of the two most seriously injured soldiers, one is continuing his recovery at home and the other at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall.

"They are both considered likely to return to military service in the fullness of time.”

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