Two Household Cavalry horses are in a serious condition after they threw off their riders and raced through London.

Five horses were spooked by a loud noise in Belgravia and ran through the city, colliding with vehicles, including a double-decker bus and taxi.

It happened on Wednesday during a routine military exercise, the Army said.

Three soldiers and a member of the public needed hospital treatment.

An MoD source said on Thursday that the condition of two of the five horses’ was serious, while defence minister James Cartlidge told Sky News: “They are in a serious condition, but as I understand, still alive.”

The minister also confirmed the two animals were called Vida and Quaker.

Mr Cartlidge described the incident as an “exceptional” situation, explaining that more than 150 animals were on exercise in the capital each day.

“This is extremely unlikely, this scenario,” he told LBC.

“Unfortunately, we have seen what has happened, but all I can say is the crucial thing… no serious injuries to the public as far as we aware, and of course we will be keeping an eye on the situation.”

The chaos began on Wednesday morning when members of the Household Cavalry – military personnel who carry out ceremonial duties around Buckingham Palace – were taking part in a rehearsal for a Major General’s Inspection.

The event will take place on Thursday in Hyde Park.

One serviceman was thrown from his horse on Buckingham Palace Road, before one of the loose animals hit a taxi waiting outside the Clermont Hotel, shattering the windows.

Two of the animals were finally recovered in Limehouse in east London, more than five miles from where they bolted.

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