Military horses bolt through London again after being 'spooked by bus'

A military horse was 'spooked by a London bus' and bolted through the city. Two riders were unseated as the horses they were riding followed suit.

The loose horses, which were part of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, were 'swiftly and safely recovered'. One suffered minor injuries but does not require further treatment.

The Army said the horses were being exercised under the control of five soldiers when the incident happened this morning (Monday, July 1). The Mirror reports that when the lead animal was spooked, it was being led rather than ridden, and, as two others became loose, two riders were unseated.

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A spokesperson for the Army said: “We can confirm whilst exercising this morning, three horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment became loose from their riders. They were swiftly and safely recovered.

“One horse received minor injuries, but no further treatment is required. There were no injuries to the soldiers involved.”

The horses ran from Seville Street to South Eaton Place, where one was recovered. The other two were stopped at Vauxhall Bridge, with all three returned to Hyde Park Barracks by 9.55am.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We’re aware a number of horses were loose in central London and worked with the Army to locate them. We’re pleased to confirm all of the horses have been accounted for. We are continuing to liaise with the Army.”

The scenes on Monday morning were a chilling echo of a similar incident earlier this year. Four service personnel were thrown from their horses when the animals got loose and galloped through central London, smashing into vehicles, including a double-decker bus.