A King’s Guard member had to activate an emergency alarm when his horse nearly collapsed in the extreme heat. The officer, visibly worried for his horse, noticed the animal struggling on Monday. Onlookers observed as the Guard promptly triggered the alarm amid London’s scorching 30-degree weather.
An eyewitness captured the moment when the guardsman, dressed in a vivid scarlet wool tunic and dark pants, waited briefly with his horse for assistance at Whitehall. Following a quick snapshot opportunity with the horse by a tourist, another soldier emerged to help. Subsequently, the guard addressed the alarm, and the soldier guided the horse and rider away from their post to a shaded area for safety.
As the horse’s legs seemed unsteady in the heat, it disappeared behind the gates. The footage, viewed over 200,000 times, elicited shock from many viewers, with one commenter expressing concern that such incidents should not occur. Another viewer emphasized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of both animals and humans in extreme heat.
This incident follows a recent occurrence in late May when another King’s Guard horse exhibited erratic behavior during a heatwave, marking record temperatures in the UK at the time. Over the May bank holiday weekend, a horse agitated by the intense heat caused commotion outside Horse Guards Parade in central London. A guard deviated from protocol to calm the horse before leading it away from the heat.
In late June, escalating temperatures affected the traditional Changing of the Guard ceremonies at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, resulting in cancellations for several days. These ceremonies, a daily spectacle outside royal residences, involve soldiers in distinctive attire parading to the accompaniment of a military band, with horses participating. The cancellations aimed to safeguard soldiers, horses, and spectators amidst the sweltering conditions.
The Army In London, responsible for organizing the ceremonies, expressed regret over the cancellations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of all involved during this popular time of year. The Household Troops, safeguarding the Sovereign since 1660, have been stationed outside Buckingham Palace since Queen Victoria’s reign in 1837.