Wounded military horses are making progress after surgery, the military says

The horses were startled by builders moving rubble in Belgravia last week and fled.

Two injured military horses galloping through the streets of London are making progress after surgery, the British military said.

Quaker, a black cavalry and a gray named Vida fled the scene after being startled by builders moving rubble while on an extended training exercise in Belgravia with five other horses and six soldiers from the Household Cavalry on Wednesday.

The British Army said Vida, who galloped through central London next to a black horse covered in blood, “remains under close and careful professional veterinary observation.”

In an update on the horses that have undergone surgery, the British Army tweeted that Quaker has “shown significant improvement and is making progress towards what is expected to be a full recovery.”

The update on X, formerly Twitter, read: “The other horse, Vida, a gray, continues to make progress.

“He remains under close and careful professional veterinary supervision while his wounds heal.

“We are so grateful for everyone’s concern and expressions of support, and for everyone involved in their care.”

Four soldiers were thrown from their horses and five of the animals became loose, crashing into vehicles including a double-decker bus, causing a number of injuries.

The spokesperson said: “Of the injured soldiers, two are still being treated in hospital but will make a full recovery.

“The rest are back to work.”

He added: “Healing takes time – please be patient as we support that process. The soldiers and horses all receive the very best care.”

The horses that broke away were later named Vida, Trojan, Quaker and Tennyson.

Paramedics treated four people in three separate incidents on Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square and at the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street in the space of just 10 minutes on Wednesday.

The drama began near Buckingham Palace Road, where witnesses saw a soldier being thrown from his horse and one of the loose animals crashing into a taxi waiting outside the Clermont Hotel, smashing its windows.

Two horses were then seen on the road near Aldwych, one of which appeared to be covered in blood, which the army said was “consistent with lacerations”.

Jordan Pettitt, 26, who works for the PA news agency, said the gray horse was colored ‘vivid’ red with blood and he heard a black horse collide with a taxi.

The animals were later seen near the Limehouse Tunnel before being recaptured by City of London Police and taken for assessment by army vets.