Horse guards - better or worse?

Burnerbee

Burnerbee

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So, in what seems like a good idea, they’ve put a white line on the ground around the horses and guards that stand on Whitehall, outside Horse Guards parade - to prevent tourists constantly approaching the horses.

So far, so good.

Except… I’ve just watched a video featuring this new arrangement and in that time the guard has booted his mount in the ribs and yanked it in the mouth numerous times in order to move the horse and scare away tourists that go over the line - accidentally or deliberately. And the bits they’re using are not nice. So is the horse any better off now?

Time they called a day on this tourist bait and let the horses live at Windsor until they’re needed for ceremonial stuff (not that I’m crazy about that either!).
 
Why not have Guards on foot to move tourists away? Escort them right out of the area and issue them with a fixed penalty notice - probably wouldn't get paid or be worth the work to chase it but may make them think twice about doing it again.
 
Nari said:
Why not have Guards on foot to move tourists away? Escort them right out of the area and issue them with a fixed penalty notice - probably wouldn't get paid or be worth the work to chase it but may make them think twice about doing it again.
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Armed police lurk nearby (to protect Whitehall, not the horses!) and they do do go and talk to nuisance people - but the people being lunged at by the horse and guard are typically bog standard tourists who, in the process of having their pic taken, accidentally put a foot over the line. And that happens more or less constantly. Poor horses will be nervous wrecks with all the sudden drama.

Nb. I did see a female mounted guard who only yelled at trespassers - no yanking her horse around…so hopefully more are like her.
 
Burnerbee said:
So, in what seems like a good idea, they’ve put a white line on the ground around the horses and guards that stand on Whitehall, outside Horse Guards parade - to prevent tourists constantly approaching the horses.

So far, so good.

Except… I’ve just watched a video featuring this new arrangement and in that time the guard has booted his mount in the ribs and yanked it in the mouth numerous times in order to move the horse and scare away tourists that go over the line - accidentally or deliberately. And the bits they’re using are not nice. So is the horse any better off now?

Time they called a day on this tourist bait and let the horses live at Windsor until they’re needed for ceremonial stuff (not that I’m crazy about that either!).
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Well it sounds like the lines successful but the guard needs some serious training to NOT deal with his horse that way.
 
Tourists need to learn they can’t go near working animals and soldiers. But yes any rider being too firm needs to be weary of public outcry at that also, for the public can demand they disappear.
 
Skib said:
This is a cavalry barracks and cavalry museum on a preserved historic site. Dont deprive us Londoners of one of the great pleasures. I am a historian as well as a rider.

And I bless the cavalry every time I ride, because I need to use the cavalry dismount to get off the horse.
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Live animals don't belong in museums.
 
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