A King’s Guard horse became visibly distressed in the intense May Day heat, circling, flinging its head, and stamping as packed tourist gatherings looked on outside Horse Guards Parade in central London.
The incident occurred during the record‑breaking May heatwave, with temperatures skyrocketing above 34°C, making it the hottest May Bank Holiday ever recorded.
The horse became suddenly restless, circling and moving erratically close to the barriers, prompting tourists to step back.
The horse was clearly distressed from the heat, and the animal appeared increasingly uncomfortable in the scorching conditions.
Horses can be outside in extreme heat, but only if they have constant shade, which these horses do not appear to have. They should also have unlimited water, and the ability to move to cooler areas, which they also don’t seem to have , and in elevated temperatures or heightened humidity, many horses are safer brought in during the hottest part of the day.
If you visit Horse Guard’s Parade, which many people do to see the horses and the guards in the summer months, you will see how dehydrated these horses are with dry drool all around their mouths; it must be unbearable for them. Of course, we would be told that they are trained for this – of course, they’re not, it’s an animal, and they need unlimited water and shade, and so do the guards, and it’s cruel to both horse and guards.
Horses begin to struggle once temperatures reach 28–30°C, especially when humidity is high, because sweat can’t evaporate properly.
Key risks include dehydration, heat stress, and heat stroke, which can be deadly. Signs include rapid breathing, lethargy, extreme sweating, or reduced sweating, and high body temperature.
This is especially cruel to both the horse and the guards, and there should be a temperature limit.
Is it animal abuse to have horses out in the heat for long periods? The short answer is yes — it could be classed as animal abuse to leave horses out in high heat for long periods if their welfare is not met.
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment need to do better by their horse and guards, and the bottom line is it’s far too hot for these animals to be outside in a heatwave with a guard on its back, and why are these horses forced out in the heat? It’s not like they have a functional purpose; it’s purely decorative.
Of course, we love watching the horses and the guards, but in a heatwave, they should be retired to their stables – well, perhaps not the guards! But hey, maybe.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 