Three military horses that sustained injuries after bolting through central London will probably take part in trooping the colour next week after making a recovery, the army has said.
The incident in April resulted in four service personnel being thrown from their horses and five of the animals getting loose, colliding with vehicles including a doubledecker bus, and causing a number of injuries.
The soldiers and five horses that were injured “are continuing to make remarkable progress in their recovery”, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) said on Tuesday.
Three of the injured horses: 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 15 June”, the regiment said.
The remaining two injured horses: Vida and Quaker, are “enjoying a summer holiday” in the Chilterns and are expected to return to work in due course.
Three of the injured soldiers are back on duty and two are continuing to convalesce but are also expected to make a full return to service.
Quaker, a Cavalry black, and a Cavalry grey horse called Vida were seen galloping through the streets of the capital after being frightened by builders dropping rubble in April.
The pair bolted while they were on an extended exercise in Belgravia.
Lt Col Mathew Woodward, commanding officer at the 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.”
Ambulance crews treated four people in the three separate incidents on 24 April in Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square and at the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street, in the space of 10 minutes.
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 that Trojan, Tennyson, and Vanquish left the Chilterns to return to Hyde Park Barracks, Vida and Quaker – the two most severely injured horses – 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”.
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.”
The horses will remain with the Horse Trust for as long as they need to before being assessed for their suitability to return to work.
Trooping the colour, held on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, will be attended by the king who has returned to public-facing duties.
