Following the chaotic scenes in London this morning, authorities have provided an update on the horses that stampeded through the city covered in blood.
As previously reported, scenes of panic emerged across the city as several horses broke free during a scheduled army exercise.
Images and videos flooded social media platforms showing two horses galloping without riders, with one seemingly covered in blood.
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) confirmed that four people were hospitalized as a result of the incident, with injuries occurring in various locations across central London, including Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square, and the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street.
According to the Telegraph, three soldiers were assessed for injuries in hospital, but they aren't thought to be serious.
It is reported that five horses from the Household Cavalry bolted after throwing off their riders during their morning exercise in Belgravia.
Builders nearby appeared to spook the horses as they were moving rubble.
All five of the horses, including the two captured in the footage circulating on social media, have now been safely recovered and are receiving treatment from veterinary staff, authorities have revealed.
Speaking to BBC Radio 2, eye-witness Megan Maurer said: "I saw three police officers or security guards running down the middle of Buckingham Palace Road, quite frantically, I would say.
"I looked up and I saw a horse being led in the direction coming towards me and the horse was very bloody. The poor thing looked like it was in really rough shape there was blood all over its legs and on its head.
"There looked like there was some form of injury on its head but it had been captured."
She continued: "It was not completely incapacitated, it was walking but it was covered in blood, it was such a confusing sight to see, it looked like it had an injury above its right eye."
In regards to the white horse being covered in blood, it appears as if it sustained injuries after running into a Mercedes.
"I was just sitting by the car with my passenger.. I didn’t see the horse hit my car, I was like, smashed senseless, the people just came by my car to check ‘are you ok’," Faraz, the owner of the car told LBC.
“It was just like a smash, his head hit it very hard and then [went] down. I saw about three, four horses, and I think it was the white horse which hit my car."
Images of the car show droplets of blood on the rear door, with a big dent and the window smashed.
The Household Cavalry, comprising The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals, represents the pinnacle of prestige within the British army.
This distinguished Regiment operates on two fronts: its operational unit, equipped with armored vehicles, and its ceremonial mounted unit, known as the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, stationed at Hyde Park Barracks in London.
The Mounted Regiment frequently graces public events, executing ceremonial duties on significant State and Royal occasions.
Despite the comprehensive riding education received by all soldiers, handling the horses during exercises can pose challenges, especially due to the weight and restrictiveness of the ceremonial uniforms worn, particularly for less seasoned riders.
