A leading charity has offered to rescue injured Household Cavalry horses who escaped on Wednesday if they are unable to return to military service.
Vida and Quaker, two of the five horses that rampaged through London, are said to be “seriously injured”.
Horses were spooked as they crossed Wilton Crescent in Belgravia at 8.40am on Wednesday after hearing a loud noise coming from concrete falling to the ground.
Five people, including three mounted soldiers, were injured in three separate incidents during the six-mile rampage that lasted two hours.
Vida, the blood-soaked gray seen running down Fleet Street with Trojan, underwent surgery for injuries consistent with “severe lacerations” and is now recovering at Hyde Park barracks.
Vida was seen galloping through the streets of London in terrifying scenes on Wednesday morning
Vida (white horse) and Trojan (black horse), rampaging through London after being “scared by builders moving rubble”, are in “serious condition”.
A military source told The Sun that things are “not looking good” for dark horse Quaker.
Although the Ministry of Defense has not said whether they will return to duty, the UK’s oldest equestrian charity, the Horse Trust, has offered them sanctuary if they are unable to do so .
The Horse Trust was established in 1886 by Miss Ann Lindo who was inspired by the story of Black Beauty.
At first, the association welcomed retired horses who served as overworked taxi horses in London.
Speaking to The Independent, fundraising and communications director Jessica Tallman said: “If the decision was made for them not to return to work, we would still welcome them into the care of our charity. charity.
“The Horse Trust is an expert in the research and care of service horses, and we have many retired military horses residing at our sanctuary.”
In 2021, a retired cavalry horse called Empress, born in June 1999 and died from training in June 2004, was taken in by The Horse Trust.
The final two horses were eventually captured outside the Glamis Estate in Limehouse.
Tennyson is the horse that crashed into a double-decker bus and smashed its windshield.
She was a great favorite among soldiers and horsemen and was part of some of the country’s most prestigious events, including royal weddings.
Most military draft horses retire to carefully selected and loving families or farms and enjoy their new lives as hunters or hunting ponies.
Also, they sometimes live out their days peacefully with former soldiers who have formed a powerful bond.
Captain Skip Nicholls, Riding Master of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, explained: “Most military draft horses will have a career of eighteen years.
“It’s not hard work, but they have to carry a lot of weight with all the dress uniforms, and we will never work a horse so much that it can’t continue to perform at peak performance.
“We want them to retire with a quality life so they can enjoy a happy five to 10 years of retirement in a nice home.”
“The Horse Trust takes around twenty-five horses a year from the police and army.
“They take to heart our oldest, our boldest and those who are dearest to us.
“The Horse Trust are fantastic: we’d love them to buy more fields so they can breed more animals, but unfortunately it comes down to acreage. They will not compromise on standards.
The Horse Trust takes in around twenty-five horses a year from the police and army. The Princess Royal announces that the house was renamed The Horse Trust in 2006
The Horse Trust was established in 1886 by Miss Ann Lindo who was inspired by the story of Black Beauty.
Pictured are two of the three surviving horses from the Hyde Park and Regent’s Park bombings at the sanctuary
During the Second World War, the Rest House became a hospital for war horses, caring for animals injured during air raids.
The military has a database of all its horses and when it comes time to retire, people can bid to buy a horse.
A potential owner is vetted to ensure that their property is safe, sanitary and that the animal will receive good care for life.
But there aren’t private homes for every horse, and that’s where the charity comes into play.
Jeanette Allen, chief executive of the Horse Trust, said: “Draft horses are today’s equine equivalent of the civil servant.
“Seventy-five percent come from government jobs, working with the state-owned police or military.
“But unlike civil servants, they don’t receive a pension when they retire, so we’re stepping up and giving these remarkable animals the retirement they deserve.”
“It’s like the Royal Hospital Chelsea for army horses.”
The military has a database of all its horses and when it comes time to retire, people can bid to buy a horse. The Horse Trust during the COVID crisis in 2021
Horses recovering at the Horse Trust. The charity is highly regarded for its animal care
The Army named four animals that got loose Wednesday as Vida, Trojan, Quaker and Tennyson.
At least two of the horses that required surgery may never return to active duty.
They are said to be in serious condition, a minister said.
Defense Minister James Cartlidge told Sky News: “There were five horses. They have all been recovered.
“Three of them are fine, two of them are unfortunately in relatively serious condition and we will obviously monitor that condition.”
Photographed in 1908, the Horse Trust’s new center at Westcroft Farm, Cricklewood
“They are in serious condition, but from what I understand, they are still alive.”
Senior army officers told MailOnline the horses were given the best possible treatment by military veterans, which saved their lives.
A spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Have no doubt, if these were not military horses their chances of survival would have been significantly reduced.’
An Army spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We hope these two horses will recover. It is too early to know for sure whether they will recover sufficiently to return to their official duties.
“But they received the best veterinary treatment possible and if they hadn’t been attached to the military, I don’t think they would have made it this far.”
“Vida was the most visibly injured and the photos of the horse running through London drenched in blood were horrific. Vida underwent surgery overnight and is currently under observation in the stables at Hyde Park Barracks.
“Quaker is the most seriously injured and was also operated on overnight, but it was decided to transfer the horse to an equine hospital in the early hours.
“The extent of the injuries is not entirely clear, but we do not believe at this stage that there are any fractures. The injuries are consistent with severe lacerations.
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