A runaway military horse that rampaged through London after being startled by builders has retired.
Quaker was one of the five animals from the Household Cavalry which raced across the centre of the capital in April last year after bolting from a routine exercise.
Striking images of the frightened horses on the loose from the military unit, which is the King’s ceremonial guard, were broadcast worldwide.
A series of particularly dramatic pictures saw one of the animals, named Vida, with his white coat drenched in blood from colliding with vehicles.
The unit was rehearsing for a Major General’s Inspection in the central area of Belgravia, near Buckingham Palace, ahead of the King’s Birthday Parade.
But the seven horses and six soldiers were sent into chaos after the animals were spooked by rubble being dropped through a plastic tunnel.
Four people were injured, including one member of the public and three service personnel thrown from their horses – but all, along with the animals, recovered.
And now Quaker is stepping down from military duties to enjoy a well-deserved retirement with The Horse Trust in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire.
Quaker (the black horse), a runaway military horse that rampaged through London after being startled by builders has retired. Pictured: He and a blood-stained Vida bolted through London’s Aldwych
Quaker (Black, left) and Vida (grey) have made progress in their recovery
Quaker is stepping down from military duties to enjoy a well-deserved retirement with The Horse Trust in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. The household Cavalry horse seen enjoying a field on a sunny day
The sanctuary has cared for service horses ever since it was founded 139 years ago, in 1886.
It is currently the permanent retirement home for 32 former military working horses.
The charity also hosts so-called horse turnout days, giving hard-worked animals the chance to take some time off and go out to pasture to graze, exercise and socialise.
Some 3,430 of these days took place last year, including for horses from the King’s Troop Royal Artillery and the Metropolitan Police.
Louise Sandher-Jones, minister for veterans and people, said: ‘We have a commitment to all who serve our nation, including our much-loved service animals.
‘Quaker’s well-deserved retirement comes after a stellar career in the Armed Forces and after a high-profile bolting incident, which captured the nation’s attention.
‘This partnership with The Horse Trust also shows how the Army looks after its military working horses and will improve animal welfare.’
Lieutenant Colonel Mathew Woodard, commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, said: ‘The partnership between the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The Horse Trust is a shining example of what can be achieved when tradition meets compassion.
A series of particularly dramatic pictures saw one of the animals, named Vida, with his white coat drenched in blood from colliding with vehicles
The Horse Trust sanctuary has cared for service horses for 139 years, including horses from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and The Met
Life Guard Squadron Leader Major Tom Stewart says goodbye to Household Cavalry horse Quaker as he begins his retirement
‘This initiative plays a crucial role in supporting long-term physical and psychological welfare, ensuring they return to duty refreshed and well-balanced.’
Ambulance crews treated four people in three separate incidents in the space of just ten minutes after the chaos began last year.
Three service personnel were treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries, while a fourth person, a cyclist and member of the public, was also injured.
The horses went on a six-mile rampage, colliding with vehicles including a double-decker bus and a taxi.
But they were eventually recovered – two from more than five miles away, in the Limehouse area of east London – and returned to their unit.
Of the horses that bolted, Quaker and Vida, the animal seen covered in blood, were more seriously injured and spent time recovering at The Horse Trust.
But the other three, Tennyson, Trojan and Vanquish, made ‘swift and successful’ recoveries – and even participated in last year’s Trooping the Colour ceremony.