200 horses from the Queen’s Household Cavalry swap London for Leicestershire during lockdown

Around 200 horses have swapped their London stables for the freedom of the Leicestershire countryside while ceremonial duties are no longer taking place. 

The horses are usually based in Hyde Park in Knightsbridge and would normally be preparing for the Trooping of the Colour next month. Their other duties include the State Opening of Parliament, State Visits, such as when Donald Trump visited last year and Royal weddings, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the Queen’s Birthday Parade.  

They have been given their new summer home by Geoff Brooks and his son, Richard, who farm some 1,600 acres north of Melton Mowbray. 

There are around 235 cavalry black horses, 14 greys and four drum horses which make up the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and they are all Irish Draft Cross thoroughbred. Usually they carry at least 44 kilograms of kit and ceremonial uniform, as well as the soldier riding them. 

‘We have been regularly taking some Army horses as guests from London in the winter,’ Geoff Brooks told Horse & Hound. ‘But this year, very soon after they had been returned to London, we received an urgent request to take them back for the summer as well. It is due to the cancellation of the horses’ ceremonial duties at the Trooping the Colour and other events, due to the virus.’

Around 200 horses have swapped their London stables for the freedom of the Leicestershire countryside

There are around 235 cavalry black horses, 14 greys and four drum horses which make up the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (pictured in action)

There are around 235 cavalry black horses, 14 greys and four drum horses which make up the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (pictured in action)

The horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment are enjoyed galloping around in the fields after being "furloughed" due to the coronavirus epidemic

The horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment are enjoyed galloping around in the fields after being ‘furloughed’ due to the coronavirus epidemic

The Queen’s Household Cavalry is made up of the two most senior regiments in the British Army, The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals. It’s divided into the Household Cavalry Regiment and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.   

For more than 300 years, the soldiers of Household Cavalry have acted as the monarch’s trusted guardians.

The Household Cavalry has also earned a formidable reputation on the battlefield, having served in conflicts from Waterloo to Afghanistan. 

Back in the UK, it also provided security for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and has even assisted flood victims.

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment carries out regular ceremonial duties throughout the year. As the Sovereign’s bodyguard and part of the Household Division, the HCMR mounts a daily guard at the entrance to Buckingham Palace which is normally viewed daily by members of the pubic. 

The HCMR is also responsible for the provision of the Sovereign’s Escort, most commonly seen at the monarch’s annual Birthday Parade in June each year.

They are spending time in Leicestershire while their ceremonial duties are on hold

They are spending time in Leicestershire while their ceremonial duties are on hold

The horses are usually based in Hyde Park in Knightsbridge and would normally be preparing for the Trooping of the Colour next month

The horses are usually based in Hyde Park in Knightsbridge and would normally be preparing for the Trooping of the Colour next month

Their other duties include the State Opening of Parliament, State Visits, such as when Donald Trump visited last year

Their other duties include the State Opening of Parliament, State Visits, such as when Donald Trump visited last year

They are also used in Royal weddings, including Prince Harry and Meghan's and the Queen's Birthday Parade

They are also used in Royal weddings, including Prince Harry and Meghan’s and the Queen’s Birthday Parade

They have been given their new home by Geoff Brooks and his son, Richard, who farm some 1,600 acres north of Melton Mowbray

They have been given their new home by Geoff Brooks and his son, Richard, who farm some 1,600 acres north of Melton Mowbray

There are around 235 cavalry black horses, 14 greys and four drum horses which make up the mounted regiment

There are around 235 cavalry black horses, 14 greys and four drum horses which make up the mounted regiment

They are all Irish Draft Cross thoroughbreds, the horses are spread across a number of fields in the countryside

They are all Irish Draft Cross thoroughbreds, the horses are spread across a number of fields in the countryside

The majority of the horses are black (pictured) there are around 235 cavalry black horses currently on the farm near Melton Mowbray

The majority of the horses are black (pictured) there are around 235 cavalry black horses currently on the farm near Melton Mowbray 

The horses are spending their summer in Leicestershire for a yet undetermined length of time

The horses are spending their summer in Leicestershire for a yet undetermined length of time

'We have been regularly taking some Army horses as guests from London in the winter,' said Geoff Brooks who owns the land where the horses are furloughed

‘We have been regularly taking some Army horses as guests from London in the winter,’ said Geoff Brooks who owns the land where the horses are furloughed

Some of the horses performing their usual ceremonial duties in London, their usual home

 Some of the horses performing their usual ceremonial duties in London, their usual home

Usually they carry at least 44 kilograms of kit and ceremonial uniform, as well as the soldier riding them

Usually they carry at least 44 kilograms of kit and ceremonial uniform, as well as the soldier riding them

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