Multiple injuries reported, including seven Household Cavalry horses and several soldiers, after horses bolt from Buckingham Palace area due to construction site noise.
On April 24th, 2024, a group of Household Cavalry horses bolted while training near Buckingham Palace in central London after being startled by noise from a nearby construction site. This incident led to seven horses and multiple people sustaining injuries. The horses’ panicked run stretched from Buckingham Palace to Limehouse Link, causing disruption by colliding with vehicles.
Two of the injured horses, named Vida and Quaker, required surgery according to an Army spokesperson. The soldiers injured in the ordeal included one who remains in the hospital, while the others have returned to duty or are recuperating at home.
The Army has reported that all the injured horses are on the mend, receiving continuous medical attention and care. After their recovery, the five horses not yet returned to duty will convalesce in the countryside.
The incident underscored the extensive training horses of the Household Cavalry undergo to familiarize them with urban environments, aimed at desensitizing them to the city’s noise and traffic to prevent such occurrences. The Army and public responses have highlighted concerns for both the animals and the soldiers involved.
Updates from defence authorities and animal welfare experts have reassured the public, emphasizing the progress of the recovery process and the care being extended to both the equine and human victims of this unforeseen event.
