Offers pour in to rehome Cavalry horses after rampage

THE Army is considering dozens of offers to rehome Household Cavalry horses injured while charging through central London, should they fail to resume active service.

The Horse Trust, the UK’s oldest equine charity, has offered to rehome the horses in the event they do not return to their ceremonial duties. Meanwhile dozens of individuals have also said they will give the animals a home.

The four horses, one of which was covered in blood, rampaged through the capital on Wednesday morning in scenes that shocked Londoners.

The animals bolted and threw their riders, made up of the Lifeguards and Blues & Royals servicemen, after they had left Hyde Park Barracks on their daily morning exercise.

They were initially spooked by the noise of concrete being shifted by builders at a property in Belgravia and careered through streets hitting cars, buses and parked hire bikes, as pedestrians fled.

Four soldiers were hurt during the melee but are all expected to recover and return to duty.

Army veterinary officers are keeping the horses under observation, particularly Quaker and Vida, the grey pictured covered in blood from its wounds.

They both underwent surgery after suffering the most serious injuries, with Vida resting in Hyde Park Barracks after the operation, while Quaker was transferred to an equine hospital.

It is understood that Vida suffered a number of cuts, including at the knee, and army vets are concerned about the injuries becoming infected.

Military sources have told The Telegraph there were no plans to euthanise either Quaker or Vida.

Vets still hope they will be able to recover fully, even if they cannot go on to resume their ceremonial duties.

The other two horses that bolted, named Trojan and Tennyson, are resting under the observation

An Army source said: “There is no indication that any of the injured horses suffered broken limbs, but Vida’s injuries remain of concern because of a cut he suffered near his knee.

“If the cut becomes infected that would be a problem.”