Vida, the blood-soaked white horse that was seen running wild in Central London yesterday, is said to have a history of being spooked, including at the King's Coronation last year. One of the horses that ran wild around Central London yesterday is believed to have kicked a soldier in the head at the King's Coronation in May last year.
A group of seven horses and six soldiers from the Household Cavalry were on an extended exercise in Belgravia on Wednesday when they were spooked by builders moving rubble. Four service personnel were thrown from their horses and five of the animals got loose, smashing into vehicles and causing a number of injuries. Two of the animals, a black horse and a white one drenched in blood, were seen galloping through central London. The pair were captured on the Highway near Limehouse, more than five miles from where they first bolted.
It has now emerged that Vida, the blood-soaked white horse that was injured following the incident, might have a history of being spooked, including at the Coronation last year. The two horses were "in a serious condition" after the incident, Defence Minister James Cartlidge said this morning.
The Army then confirmed the two military horses have undergone operations, adding that three soldiers who were injured would "recover fully and return to duty". The statement said: "Of the seven horses which were spooked, five tried to bolt and four, Vida, Trojan, Quaker and Tennyson, broke loose. All remaining horses are being closely observed. Our horses receive the highest standards of care, and those that did not undergo surgery are expected to return to duty in due course.
We will provide more updates soon. 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. In an update on X, formerly Twitter , Lieutenant Colonel Matt Woodward, commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, said on Wednesday: "This morning, a small group of horses were spooked by construction works on a quiet side road where building materials were dropped from height next to them.
