Runaway horses update: Injured Cavalry horses set to join King's Birthday parade after 'remarkable recovery'

Five Household Cavalry horses who ran through the streets of Central London, one noticeably soaked in blood, are on the mend - and expected to be Trooping the Colour against all expectations soon.

The British Army has this week given an update on the horses, which were spooked by builders during a training exercise in late April. Some of them threw their riders and took off, colliding with vehicles and accidentally injuring a number of pedestrians. All of the exhausted animals were eventually caught by either helpful members of the public or by police or army staff, the last two 5 miles away in East London’s Limehouse.

Two of the horses, one black and one white, were caught in striking photos seen around the world, with the white one - called Vida - covered in blood from an injury. But commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Mathew Woodward said all five of the injured military working horses (MWH) and the Life Guard soldiers who were hurt were “recovering with remarkable speed”.

“It is very likely that Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish will participate in the King's Birthday Parade later this month,” he said. The remaining two, Vida and Quaker, who suffered more serious injuries, were enjoying a summer holiday in the Chilterns thanks to The Horse Trust, he added.

“They are expected to make a full recovery and we look forward to seeing them back on duty in due course. Of the two most seriously injured soldiers, one is continuing his recovery at home and the other at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall. They are both considered likely to return to military service in the fullness of time,” he continued.

The Horse Trust’s CEO, Jeanette Allen, added: “It has been a privilege to provide these wonderful horses with the space and time needed to fully recover. It’s been so lovely to see Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish enjoying such a relaxing break and now we have Vida and Quaker already loving their time here. All five horses are much younger than our regular Service residents and seeing them running, rolling and generally having fun after such a challenging experience, is a real joy.”

The Horse Trust said that maintaining an active lifestyle would help the horses to remain fit, healthy and enjoy long and fulfilling lives, which was why they had returned to work so soon. Vida and Quaker would remain with the retired horse charity for as long as they needed, before being assessed for their suitability to return to work.

The pair had made a remarkable physical recovery and shown “great enthusiasm and joy upon their arrival at The Horse Trust”, the charity added, as they were pictured galloping in fresh pastures. Vida, the Cavalry Grey, reportedly wasted no time in turning from white to brown as he rolled in the grass. The horses appeared bright and in good spirits, clearly displaying a close bond with each other and the soldiers who accompanied them.