When Household Cavalry horses run wild: From the Platinum Jubilee to the Coronation, how ceremonial steeds haven't always been able to keep their composure

A Household Cavalry horse is not your average steed. Specially-trained to ignore artillery fire, they work patiently amidst large crowds and deal with the commotion of state events. 

But on occasion, it has been known for these ceremonial chargers to lose their composure, whether that be an unexpected noise or a pesky tourist getting just a bit too close.

Often seen on special ceremonial occasions, these elite horses and their riders have traditionally been part of the monarch's elite bodyguard.

But every now and then the soldiers have to turn their attention away from the King in hot pursuit of a military horse on the run. 

More Household Cavalry horses spooked - a rider was thrown to the ground and injured in a separate incident to the runaway steeds

A horse was filmed rearing and throwing off a trooper on the same day a group of panicked horses ran wild through Central London.

One onlooker said moments before the incident: 'The horses are having a bit of a dance show this morning, they're not settling down as quick as they usually do.'

A trooper who was thrown from his horse can be seen lying still on the floor

Footage shows the other riders trying to control and calm their steeds as the horse is led away

A black horse then moved frantically and seemed distressed. 

Several of the other horses were also seen tugging against their harnesses, disturbed by the distressed animal, as the first horse bucked and threw its rider off.

The rider, who was flung into the air, remained motionless on the ground for some tie as medics arrived to check on him while the horse walked away.

Horse rammed into crowd after it was spooked during Coronation procession

A spooked horse reversed into crowds lining the route of the King's coronation procession on May 6, 2023.

The household cavalry charge backed into a metal barrier as it followed behind the carriage of the new monarch and Queen Camilla during their return to Buckingham Palace.

Guards ran to get out of the way as they noticed the horse careering towards them.

The horse's rider, a member of the Life Guards, desperately tried to rein his steed in as it spun across the road

Guards and onlookers dispersed as they noticed the horse was about to career into them

Members of the public behind the barricade, who had lined up to catch a glimpse of the new monarch, also dispersed as they realised the danger they were in.

The horse's rider, a member of the Life Guards, desperately tried to rein his steed in as it spun across the road.

While no one appeared to have been seriously hurt by the horse, which was quickly brought under control, one officer limped away as the procession continued. 

King's Guard soldier was kicked by a horse during parade

A horse kicked back at a King's guard during a parade but the soldier remained composed.

An unknown soldier was aggressively kicked in the chest by a horse in front of him at what appears to be Horse Guard's Parade at St James's Park in London.

A clip on The King's Guards YouTube channel shows an exasperated horse kicking out at a soldier

After the horse lifts his hind legs and kicks out at the guard, he steps back a few paces before quickly recovering

As part of the usual drill, the soldier dismounted from his own horse, before taking his position during the procession.

The horses lined up and a drill was carried out after the changing of the guard.

One guard, whose horse was on the back line, dismounted and reached the ground before walking around the front of his horse.

However as he did so, the steed in front of him raised its back legs and kicked out, making contact with the guard in the chest and narrowly missing his face.

The guard winced, stumbled and appeared to be in pain but kept hold of the horses reins and quickly shuffled back into position.

The Royal Guard's YouTube channel confirmed at the time that the guard, who barely flinched, had not been injured by the kick.

Three Household Cavalry horses gallopped through London traffic during rush hour 

 Three horses galloped through traffic - in the middle of London in 2022.

The black chargers looked confused as they trotted down the main road one after the other, weaving between rush hour traffic.

The horses were part of the Household Cavalry and had bolted from Hyde Park, according to The Sun.

Despite performing in the Queen's funeral, the trio of steeds became spooked after hearing a bus brake in the rain.

The three black horses weaving between traffic during London rush hour in the rain

Farah Ali, 46, from north-west London said: 'I was just doing the school run and suddenly they appeared out of nowhere.

'They looked lost and were trotting up and down the road, not knowing where to turn.

'The traffic was at a stand still, and they were passing all the static cars - it was the last thing I expected to see on a Monday morning.

Another witness said: 'It was crazy. Suddenly there were these riderless horses cantering down a really busy road. 

Household Cavalry soldier fell from his horse during practice for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee 

In 2022 a soldier of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment dramatically fell off his horse during the state ceremonial practice for the Platinum Jubilee.

The soldier fell to the ground during the rehearsal where around 170 horses and personnel lined up to be inspected by General Officer Commanding the Household Division, Major General Christopher Ghika. 

 It's not clear how he fell but he wasn't believed to be seriously injured.

The soldier was thrown from his horse during rehearsals for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee but was unhurt

King's Guard was forced to hit emergency help button after he lost control of his horse

One of the King's Guard had to call for emergency help after his horse went wild.

A guard had to slam the button while outside the Guards, London as a tourist posed alongside the steed.

The tourist looks on with concern as the horse starts bucking its head violently

The  spooked horse violently bucks its head before backing into an alcove. The terrifying incident forced the Guard to slam the emergency help button

The trained horse started vigorously bucking its head and swaying back and forth, clearly in distress as tourists filmed the incident.

The guard remained calm throughout as the horse trotted back and forth, at one point even retreating into an alcove.

The scary moment happened next to a sign saying 'Beware horses may kick or bite'.

Soldier regained control of his horse after it was spooked during a welcome parade for the King and Queen of Spain at Horse Guards Parade

During a state visit from King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain in 2017, a mounted soldier struggled to control his horse that had become spooked by the lavish celebrations.

The soldier from the Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry, was photographed calming down his steed as it reared on to its back legs.

The composed solider tries to re-gain control of the spooked horse during celebrations for King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain in 2017

King's Guard horse bit and shook tourist's coat after she stood too close 

A female tourist who went in search of a photo with one of the famed Guard got a lot more than she bargained for.

The tourist who stood next to a steed for a photo ignored a sign next to the guard warning onlookers that horses may kick or bite and raised her hand in an attempt to stroke the animal.

As she did so, the horse grabbed her coat in its teeth and starts violently tugging.

As the woman tried to stroke the horses face, it bit down on the arm of her jacket. Refusing to let go, it tugged on the jacket and pulled her back and forth before finally releasing her

The tourist is tries to get away from the horse after it has clamped down on her jacket 

The Guard remained calm throughout and didn't intervene as the tourist looked on scared as her arm was yanked.

She eventually ripped her coat free from the horse's mouth and moved away looking shocked and embarrassed with a large tear in her sleeve.