Social media users claim rampaging Household Cavalry horses are an ‘ominous omen’ as frightening incident sparks viral memes (and conspiracy theories!)

Social media users have claimed the rampaging horses that ran loose through London are an ‘ominous omen’ in a series of viral memes.

Household Cavalry horses Vida and Quaker were two of five that were spooked as they passed through Wilton Crescent in Belgravia at 8.40am yesterday after they heard a loud noise from concrete dropping on the floor from a builder’s travelator.

Five people, including three soldiers riding the horses, were injured in three separate incidents during the six-mile rampage on Wednesday that lasted two hours.

Now, people on social media are saying ‘the end is near’ and the bloody horse represents ‘some sort of omen which ushers in darkness [and] suffering’.

One person joked on social media: ‘Big Ben has stopped and there are blood covered horses running through the streets of London. Maybe someone should check on the ravens in the Tower because this feels a LOT like a season finale.’

Social media users shared their theories suggesting that the bloody horse who ran through London yesterday is an ‘omen’

Five people, including three soldiers riding the horses, were injured during the six-mile rampage on Wednesday

Another said: ‘I’m not a superstitious person but this is absolutely the sort of omen which ushers in 500 years of darkness suffering and strife.’

A third wrote: ‘In ancient times black and white blood soaked horses running through the capital would be an ominous omen.’

A fourth said: ‘Call me insane or superstitious but I am 100% treating the london horse thing as a bad omen.’

A fifth commented: ‘I’m not saying this is an omen of war but prophetic horses rarely bring good news.’

Following the report that the escaped Household Cavalry horses were part of James Blunt’s old regiment, the singer chimed in on X by writing: ‘It’s always my fault, isn’t it.’

The Army said three soldiers who were injured would ‘recover fully and return to duty’.

The statement said: ‘Of the seven horses which were spooked, five tried to bolt and four, Vida, Trojan, Quaker and Tennyson, broke loose. Two of the injured horses were operated on last night, with one transferred to an equine hospital. All remaining horses are being closely observed.

‘Our horses receive the highest standards of care, and those that did not undergo surgery are expected to return to duty in due course. We want to thank everyone who has shown such kindness and concern towards our soldiers and horses. We will provide more updates soon.’

A minister also said the military horses who ran loose through London was an ‘exceptional’ situation, explaining more than 150 animals are on exercise in the capital each day. 

Others on social media were quick to point fun at the crazy route each of the horses took, while James Blunt also joined in on the action

Household Cavalry horses Vida and Quaker were two of five that were spooked as they passed through Wilton Crescent in Belgravia at 8.40am yesterday

The horses were scared after they heard a loud noise from concrete dropping on the floor from a builder’s travelator

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Asked about the condition of two of the horses by LBC, defence minister James Cartlidge said he ‘wouldn’t want to say more’ than that they were in a serious condition.

He added: ‘Obviously, we didn’t want that situation to happen. What I would stress to you is that this is very exceptional.

‘You are probably aware that the army has horses out on exercise in central London every day of the week. It is about 150 horses on average exercising every day.

‘So this is extremely unlikely this scenario. Unfortunately we have seen what has happened, but all I can say is the crucial thing, as you said yourself, no serious injuries to the public as far as we aware, and of course we will be keeping an eye on the situation.’

An Army source told The Sun that the white horse that was drenched in blood, Vida, was ‘lively’ and had a history of being spooked.

Vida is thought to have kicked a soldier in the head during the King’s Coronation.

Usually Household Cavalry horses are black, however the regiment’s state trumpeters always ride white or grey horses such as Vida.

Four soldiers were unseated as the spooked horses bolted and three servicemen were injured and taken to hospital. None are in a life-threatening condition.