How the Household Cavalry is keeping its horses cool during the heatwave

Whatever the weather, the work of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment providing the Queen's Life Guard must go on.
So, while the UK swelters in soaring temperatures, personnel are having to come up with imaginative ways to keep their hot horses cool.
Forces News has been to Horse Guards Parade to see how they are managing in the heat - and find out what special care the military horses are getting to help them stay fit and healthy.
More on: www.forces.net/animals/how-do...
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[@nicolehall2177]

Guards and horses need their own KZbin channel.

[@lLynne.Garner]

More posts like this please, excellent to see what goes on behind the scenes

[@gailpippin9761]

YES!! I have so many questions, especially about any rotation to a place where the horses can get some R&R or at least the chance to roll or stretch their legs.

[@dbn52]

The one horse looks it could be Arni. He is the star of many videos on KZbin. Nipping and head banging tourist. We KZbinrs love him. Very gentle with kids but adults that act up is another story. Thank You to the Guards for their service. Love to the horses.

[@Helmaron1538]

At about 1:19 or there abouts?

[@mehitabel1290]

How great to see how genuinely the soldiers care about the horses and what a bond they build..

[@caroldocherty6810]

I was sad to hear that we lost Quasimodo 5 weeks ago. RIP you beautiful gentle giant

[@robnewman6101]

😔

[@marywood6270]

He was a handsome lad..❤

[@lesleycooke6226]

Love the video it's great to see how well they are looked after and i wouldn't expect nothing less from our great Soldier's ❤❤🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@carmen2786]

Schön zu sehen, wie toll sich hier um die wunderschönen Pferde gekümmert wird. 👍💕

[@jananovakova7139]

Tady jsou ti chlapci krásně vidět.Dobry j3 vidět i zákulisí.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍Jana Czech republik 🇨🇿🇨🇿🇨🇿

[@wilmavantrier2998]

Just grate to have a look behind the scenes and you can see and feel the love and connection between the man and the horses ❤❤❤❤

[@rhyfelwrDuw]

Beautiful animals well looked after and cared for! Love the apple bobbing game for them! Great way to make keeping cool fun!

[@BetFarmer-te2lf]

Feel for them all at the Trooping of the colour on Saturday but being the stars both troops and horses are, the show will go on

[@shebesq]

So sorry that Quasimodo passed away. 💞🙏

[@ginettechiverton7113]

Wonderful horses, oh and Guards of course.😊☮️

[@lukeamato2348]

Keep them happy, they work hard

[@markwatters6875]

Well done troops 👍🇦🇺

[@robnewman6101]

Keep Cool & Hydrated in Summer when its hot.

[@robnewman6101]

Drink lots of water.

[@paulinedawson2017]

Nodding off for a short time is called a power nap 😂😂

[@hazelb7218]

Always love to see the horses... i've had horses too so know all about keeping them cool in hot weather...i hope on Mon and Tues when it's really hot these guys are given a break x x

[@PAllen74]

If you had any experience with horses you would know how cruel their treatment is. Big bits, forced to stand in one spot, sensory overload from the city, I could go on.

[@onecupof_tea]

​@PAllen74 They stand for an hour. The Guard is moving them back and forward in the box, so they're not still. After an hour they're changed for fresh horses.

[@user-du1hw7kw3o]

Wundervoll wie auch die Pferde wundervoll 😊❤❤❤❤

[@katrinaward5769]

Wonderful horses, best in the world. Thank you for your service ❤🇬🇧

[@BladeRunnerC]

Absolutely beautiful

[@nicenancy7694]

That was good, good to hear guards' names and horses' names too. Was that Quasimodo?

[@robnewman6101]

Keep Cool & Hydrated in Summer when its hot.

[@shreddinbetty365]

You treat them with such love and mercy, God Bless!!!

[@allylou5151]

Stunning 💖 horse's

[@susannehansen7053]

I am impressed by the look behind the scenes, thank you ❤

[@philhunter9158]

You can tell their in the cavalry.. 'I'm 80 kilos and 30 kilos of kit, that's over a 100 kilos" Foot guards would say that's 110 kilos. Bless the piccadilly cowboys!!

[@sarahbowen7721]

…but they’d all had to take their boots off to count that high!

[@jrwoledge]

You can also tell you bunked your English lessons. 😁 ‘Their’ means it belongs to them, eg "I ate their sweets." ‘They're’ is short for 'they are' eg "They are going to be cross." Your welcome! 😉👍

[@George-hf2ww]

@@jrwoledge Clearly you were not there on that day either. “You’re” rather than “Your”.

[@dangermouse6687]

@@George-hf2ww 👋👋👋🤣🤣🤣

[@l2farm862]

That’s because cavalry officers understand the difference between dead weight and live weight. Eventing used to be their training and everybody had to carry 145 pounds, and the lighter weight riders didn’t do as well because they had to carry more dead weight. If my grammar is bad, perhaps there’s a trade-off between somebody that knows what to do during the last stride before a six foot drop and those that don’t.

[@karencheek9698]

Aw RIP Quasi

[@here_we_go_again2571]

I have the upmost respect for the horses and the soldiers (horse guards) who work with the horses. I have seen videos of the tourists milling around and taking pictures of the horse/guard on duty. Most of the tourists are okay; but some are real jerks!

[@user-tj8jr6gg9c]

Beautiful horse.😊

[@pamelanay2195]

Thank you for sharing

[@jameslynch7826]

Minus Curaiss in hot weather and increased rotation plus vet on hand

[@elmadevos3296]

Wunderfull to see they take good care of the horses.❤

[@Nettsinthewoods]

That was delightful. Thank you

[@stephenandrew1809]

Great videos

[@allylou5151]

I just been see Regie and Bow cheeky chaps 😍 I call them. They are 🐎 horses

[@suzannesenser607]

So, how do they keep the guards from falling off from heat stroke?

[@JammyDodger45]

As much as I can think of nothing worse than joining the army to be a tourist attraction like these lads I'd have loved working this closely with horses.

[@TopHatHat]

There are alternating duties between the two so its not as bad as it seems, although in wartime I imagine there is mixed feelings between the honour and traditions of the guard and not being able to help your comrades.

[@JammyDodger45]

@@TopHatHat - yeah you can keep the honour and tradition. I'd rather be a Killer than a Driller!

[@JammyDodger45]

@@Oceanviewgarden - it isn't. But you keep thinking those happy thoughts.

[@johncartwright2155]

They are also fully trained soldiers, their main role when not on ceremonial duty is reccy troop

[@JammyDodger45]

@@johncartwright2155 - Recce troop, reccy means Recovery. But thanks for playing.

[@brendaflower7790]

Would love to see more behind the scenes❤😊

[@onecupof_tea]

If you go to Horseguards parade ground, there's a small Guards museum and shop. You can also see into the stables, where horses are kept.

[@edwinbarrica3594]

Nice

[@eziogreggioquattrever8142]

Good

[@cycleSCUBA]

Aircon units will be installed in the guard shelters surely? Even if they just keep the back end of the horse cool, blood circ will do the rest.

[@jackswaffer188]

You you all❤❤❤xo

[@TheMysticWildFlower]

❤❤❤

[@ladygardener100]

Why not spray with water

[@mandelorean6243]

What most don't understand is these larger horses, like shires, Calvary blacks.. Their blood temps run HIGH, digestion is insane too. Can't keep where normal stature horses can

[@Roheryn100]

They aren't Shires, except the two drum horses, who are not on guard duty. They are Irish bred sport horses, usually Thoroughbred/ Irish light draft crosses.

[@resonatorneuronium5324]

‘Calvary’ Americorn spotted

[@Roheryn100]

@@resonatorneuronium5324 Yes, probably !

[@blessedheavyelements8544]

Why not hose them off vs sponge bath? Temp shock? Obviously not a horse person. Thanks and Best Regards

[@pjk1714]

Body temperature rises in heat. Hosing is a shock and can actually cause heart failure. Water is to cold.

[@sarajanesmith3892]

Hoo

[@kilo6960]

Gimme one now

[@janeandpaul]

A horse or a trooper?😂

[@PSMCR69]

Can they Do A Cavalry Charge just like Old times famous Battlefield stories --------

[@blessedheavyelements8544]

Yeah, they could. Once. :)

[@Roheryn100]

Look up videos of their Musical Ride.

[@gabrielalvarado1504]

What is the temperature in the UK? I’m in Texas would like to compare

[@itsjohndell]

Highest temperature ever recorded in England today, 102F. London hit 100F. the humidity is high and nobody has Air Conditioning. Especially brutal in the cities as the buildings are heat sinks and the temps don't come down much at night. I lived there for 7 years. 109 in Phoenix today but we are used to it. The Brits arent acclimated. This is going to kill people.

[@cycleSCUBA]

I'm in S.W. Scotland and we've not had the sweltering heat (about 21°C here today) the folks down South have had for some time now - 40°C/104°F forecast next few days in London. However it is making its way North and 32°C/89°F predicted Tuesday. Stay cool folks!

[@gabrielalvarado1504]

@@cycleSCUBA we’re having 99f and even 102 days here in northeast Texas.

[@cycleSCUBA]

@@gabrielalvarado1504 - you'll only be able to cope with it with air-con no doubt?

[@sarahstrong7174]

@@cycleSCUBA We brits rarely have air conditioning, we have to rely on our stiff upper lips to keep us cool.

[@Samknstuff]

Poor horses, at least it’s protecting the queen

[@spookyt8692]

From who? “At least their protecting the queen” hahaha

[@Samknstuff]

@@spookyt8692 luckily no one yet but putin be scaring me

[@spookyt8692]

@@Samknstuff that’s true he scares me. Then again during the war on terror when terrorists were bombing the U.K. Russia was poisoning people here (including British citizens) and the U.K. did nothing but appease the Russian government. I worry about our own government more tbh haha

[@Samknstuff]

True our government don’t seem to worry about things until they get big

[@spookyt8692]

@@Samknstuff yeah 100%. They’ve allowed the Russian regime to wash their money in london for years. They’re more friendly than you think haha

[@TASIAawful1]

Do they ever get the chance to run free in a field?

[@alison__16]

Yes, they are exercized every morning in Hyde Park and they get taken to camps at least once a year where they run on the beach and even go in the sea

[@gailpippin9761]

​@Alison oh, I'm so glad to see this!

[@onecupof_tea]

If you google Horseguards and Holkham, you can watch videos of Guards horses on holiday, where horses can run along the beaches every year.

[@user-of8yx5ux6r]

Big deal, once a year. They can do better. These horses work hard and never get to see green pastures but once a year.

[@marywood6270]

​@user-of8yx5ux6r they get rotated, it's not just the summer when they get a break. They have over 150 horses between the two regiments, so when they aren't at Hyde Park barracks they will be off at Melton Mowbray having fun in the fields

[@walterlatham8851]

I was told never give a horse a uncut apple as it can choke them. Is that correct?

[@user-cc6nb5th6x]

I am told likewise. My mare choked-not on an apple- and it was scary. Cut apple and offer lengthwise.

[@maryfitzsimmonsmcgaw3640]

It would take a moment to remove the core get rid of the seeds etc then half it. There is a wee gadget you use when preparing apples to bake. Just loved the horse enjoying its apple.

[@ljchandler4876]

why cant a 'substitute' for a horse be used after all the soldiers choose to be there whereas the horses do not

[@onecupof_tea]

The. Guards could stand in hot weather, without the horses on duty.. And have the public stand behind bollards in Summer. It must get claustrophobic for the horse to be surrounded by people.

[@Deadbread650]

2grams of hay to every 5g of bucketlist

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

Don’t they have tropical kit? I know the fancy gear is a part of the whole Royal brand, but heat like this is literally dangerous. Black wool and steel in such temps is maybe not the healthiest.

[@dellx3048]

Are you being serious?

[@ChocoLater1]

I'm 80 kilos and 30 kilos of belly fat. That's why I can't sit on a horse.

[@jodie4609]

In your face not on it lololol Poor horsey's

[@nathaliewade752]

id like to ask why some of the guards appear to abuse the horses with horrible bits pulling on them and wrapping lots of tack around its head?? ive seen a couple of videos recently could you please explain!!

[@jjradV]

This is inhumane,totally unnecessary ! What would the horses say about being forced to stand quietly with all that weight on their back in extreme heat or in any weather. All for the tourists. Very cruel !

[@jjradV]

@@pmac4779 The temperature in London this past week or so has been over 100 degrees, highest temps ever recorded in London, red flag warnings, it's usually in the 70's. The horses live very unnatural lives. It's just another example of humans using /exploiting horses without any consideration for the kind sentient beings that they are. Horses are most comfortable in temps around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. I was born and raised in London,I have owned horses for over 50 years and there is no doubt in my mind that if horses had a choice they would not willingly choose to stand in the heat and sun with 2 to 3 hundred pounds of weight on their backs,with steel bars in their mouths unable or allowed to move. I choose kindness over cruelty. Thank you for your reply.

[@dellx3048]

Here we go. You have no idea the lengths gone to, ensuring the horses welfare if they didn't the horses wouldn't be as calm, The weight they carry, their frame and strength can deal with much more. They stand for 1 hour and generally in the shade of the arch. Their working life and retirement goes way beyond many other horses. One fact you need to get straight, they are not there for the tourists they are there carrying out a ceremonial duty. Armchair critics are the worst.

[@jjradV]

@@dellx3048 I don't care about ceremonial duty and I am sure the horses don't either, these horses are chosen/bred for their calm personality,even so at the end of the day they are still horses being used by humans to do something that is totally unnecessary. Work is a human concept,horses are all about seeking comfort and living a peaceful life. Thank you for your reply.

[@jjradV]

@@pmac4779 you sound like a very compassionate person that has respect for horses. I know all about the mustangs,it is heartbreaking to say the least. The human species is the cruelest of species,just think about the cruelty and needless suffering of factory farmed animals. Horses are all about seeking comfort and living a peaceful life,I don't like seeing them being used by humans that take advantage of their kind nature to boost human ego or to conduct traditional ceremonial activities or displays for tourists,these are all human ideas not in the best interest of the horse. Your horses sound like they are well loved and cared for, I hope they continue to bring you happiness and pleasure,they make life worth living,they are magic, enjoy every minute you have with them ! I can't imagine my life without them. Thank you for your reply !

[@ItsMe-yv9jd]

It is beyond cruel to treat a human being like that... imagine going to work and be told you have to wear a steel pot on your head and a frying pan on your back and chest, in the boiling hot sun!! You are forced to FRY ALIVE like a turkey in an oven, just because the uniform you have on looks pretty. (There should be a practical uniform for the insane summer heat and a different one for winter... this is 2022 and there is no excuse for TORTURING people and causing them to be boiled alive!)

[@amobaleiasassassinas]

The worse part is that these are the summer uniforms. The winter ones are the long grey wool coats. Nevertheless, they still should offer something more breathable and cooling

[@SuperMissblueeyes]

These guys know what they're signing up for & choose to enter that part of the military. Nobody is forcing them to do something they don't want to do. These guys are proud to be doing what they do.

[@jamescharlesl7662]

People will be kicking themselves in few weeks if they miss the opportunity to buy and invest in bitcoin..Now is the best time to buy the Dip and invest🚀🚀🏆

[@bunnyjames3828]

Animal cruelty!!!!

[@user-lm5qr5mh3z]

Я не понимаю почему охранники позваляют хамам издеватся ,,почему вы терпите это ,у вас служба , а не зоопарк , где хочу там и фотографируюсь, неужели нельзя провести красную черту , чтобы не заходили, очень жалко лошадок и вас охранников , сколько нечести, придурков и дураков вас окружают , берегите себя и коня ,он друг верный ,, пожайлуста сделайте от людей черту , а то они думают ,что вы для них чтобы развлекать , берегите себя , да еще хочется , чтобы хорошо работала полиция ,была вам в помощь , ,как я думаю нужен новый закон, чтобы из впс не делали клоунами ,а было уважение к вашей службе, всего доброго вам ,и удачи ,а главнре главное терпения

[@MarcoundAmy]

I would be interested to know whether the horses also get free time on a nice pasture or whether they just stand in the stable, that would be a shame and would be extremely disrespectful

[@dickiemcvitie1752]

RIP Quassi, miss you big fella!!