Two army horses caused a stir in central London on Wednesday morning when they galloped through busy streets during rush hour. The horses, wearing saddles and bridles, were spotted running along major roads, dodging buses, taxis, and other vehicles. Photos and videos of the incident were widely shared on social media, showing the horses galloping down The Mall and dodging traffic near Buckingham Palace.
One of the horses appeared to be covered in blood on its chest and forelegs, raising concerns about its well-being. The horses’ presence in the heart of London’s financial district caused some disruption to traffic and prompted a response from the City of London Police.
Officers from the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police worked together to locate the horses and contain them near Limehouse. The horses were subsequently transported to a veterinary clinic for examination and treatment.
A spokesperson for the City of London Police said: ‘We were called at approximately 08:40hrs on Wednesday, 22nd February to reports of two loose horses on the highway near Limehouse. Our officers attended and contained the horses. We are awaiting an Army horse box to collect the horses and transport them to veterinary care.’
The Metropolitan Police stated that they were ‘working with colleagues in the army to locate them.’ Several prestigious army regiments have stables in the British capital, and horses are a common sight around government buildings and parks in the area.
The Daily Telegraph reported that up to five army horses had thrown their riders while they were being exercised and that at least one soldier had been injured in the incident. However, these reports have not been officially confirmed by the army or the police.
