Moment when King’s Guard pushes the emergency button to call for help as he struggles to control the horse
- The guard called for help after a ten-minute fight with a restless animal
One of the King’s Guards pressed an emergency button after struggling to control his horse.
Video footage showed the guard pressing the button while stationed outside Horse Guards in London, as the unruly animal continued to shake its head and refuse to stay still.
Before the sentry called for help, he repeatedly tried to control his horse as it moved from side to side.
The restless horse was constantly on the clip with his mouth open, apparently hindered by something tickling his chin.
He was also seen to appear uncomfortable with his bit, the accessory used to control a horse’s mouth.
A member of the Royal Guard pressed the emergency button after struggling to control his horse
The guard called for help after battling the restless animal for more than ten minutes
But after fighting with the animal for more than ten minutes, the guard decided to press the warning button with his left arm.
No one seemed to respond to the 911 call, although another guard was filmed walking up to the man before walking away again.
The King’s Guards are posted for public duties outside Buckingham and St James’s Palaces, and with Horse Guards on Whitehall.
Although their role is mainly ceremonial, they are part of the Household Division of the British Army, patrolling the palaces and guarding the sovereign at night.
A sign next to the guard warns spectators that horses may kick or bite and tells them not to touch the reins.
Some commented on the guard’s horsemanship because he had tried so long with his mount before giving up.
One wrote: “These great guards are doing a great job. Best regards to these great guards and the great work they do.
Another said, “That guard was eager to hit the emergency button long before he finally did, he kept looking at it, I wanted him to “press that button” because it was clear the horse wasn’t going to settle ! ‘
The horse seemed irritated by his bit, the accessory used to control his mouth
Others felt tourists shouldn’t have stared at the horse’s discomfort.
“Obviously the horse is stressed for a reason,” one commented. ‘The guard has wonderful horsemanship. As for the tourists, this is not a modeling opportunity: take your picture and leave.
“The horse is already stressed enough.”
Another wrote, “It’s hard to witness a horse in such a state… very frightened or uncomfortable.”