Four Reportedly Hurt After Army Horses Run Loose Through Central London
ForbesAPR 27 2024
UK: Four Injured After Military Horses Bolt in London
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The Facts
Four people were injured Wednesday morning after military horses unseated their riders and bolted through the streets of London.
Speaking to the BBC, a British Army spokesperson said that a total of five runaway horses from the Household Cavalry unit unseated a total of four soldiers.
After escaping in West London just after 8 a.m. (local time), horses injured bystanders in a number of locations across the UK capital. One of the horses was spotted in Shadwell, in east London, as far as 3.3 miles (5.3 km) away.
The Spin
Narrative A
Although many have made light of London's runaway horses — likening the event to an apocalyptic omen — the reality is that horses forced to wear decorated outfits and trot along London's heaving capital is nothing short of animal abuse and was always bound to go wrong.
Narrative B
This was a freak accident that will be investigated. By no means should it be used to call for the end of a famous British tradition. These horses are integral to state ceremonies and hold a unique power to draw tourists to the UK capital. One rare case of chaos shouldn't mean the end to a foundation of the country's culture.
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