The horses leading the procession were Canadian mounties riding RCMP horses that had been donated over the years.
Burmese, who was one of the Queen’s favourite horses was also an RCMP horse.
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Thanks for the two articles, about the Queen and about the RCMP being in the procession, their history with the Queen. Made very interesting reading.
At her age, being horse-crazy, what is the point if you can’t sneak in some riding?? Had to be hard with your body failing after such an active life, to being so limited. I bet everyone was saying “That really isn’t a good idea,” which makes you want to do it even more!! Just getting on and meandering around on her horse was soothing, along with gentle exercise and being outside. Exercise always makes you feel a bit better.
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I wondered the same. I know Charles plays/played polo and so do William and Harry. I don’t think they have her passion for them like she did.
Some people do the dumbest things to get a selfie, like the woman grabbing the horse’s reins.
I just want the horse on guard to be able to lower his head, stretch and relaaxx but I know he’s at work. Has to be mentally demanding to stand all day. I wonder how many times they use them for that a week.
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I’m no expert, but I seem to recall a post on one of the sh!+ Facebook pages in which a couple of riders chimed in and said that the horses are switched out quite often - it might even have been hourly, if I remember correctly. Whatever period of time it was, it actually sounded like quite a reasonable schedule for the horses.
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Yes, I did notice that! The video I watched didn’t mention that but I had a strong suspicion that’s what it was. Anyone who has paid attention to her horses and ponies would recognize that. Really, seeing her pony and the 2 corgis 
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Honestly I think she decided she was going to ride again come hell or high water. I don’t blame her ONE BIT.
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It’s not symbolism, it’s necessity. There is no driver’s box on a cannon caisson. Postillions (the riders, one on each of the team) are the ones who steer the whole thing.
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I couldn’t quite tell, but was wondering if he had his tongue over the bit. Whole lot of tongue action on that horse.
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The House Cavalry have 250 horses for ceremonial use, based in London and Windsor. When on duty at Horseguards, the horses are stabled in the 18th century stables which are now part of the living “Horseguards Museum” where people can see daily care of the animals and even try on bits of uniform. The horses standing in the guard boxes facing the street are rotated hourly. They cope admirably with the crowds. However one or two have been known to stamp on small dogs: these are immediately retired! The blacks are almost entirely Irish bred, with certain breeders regularly selling to the army, so they are along the lines of ID or ISH. They need good feet and legs because the road work can be hard on them. There is a team of farriers and vets in the barracks to look after them and the Troopers can do an apprenticeship to become trained farriers. Others do BHS exams. The horses usually retire in their mid to late teens.
The King’s Troop are specialist ceremonial soldiers with six guns pulled by six horses, 36 horses plus officers chargers and a few spares. They are based in Woolwich, east London, near a big open common/park where they can train. They are all volunteers, picked from active duty in the Royal Artillery regiment. The horses are generally bays, one set being black to be used in state funerals. The artillery horses are a bit lighter, more ‘riding type’ than the cavalry blacks and I don’t know where they come from. I expect Ireland also.
The Metropolitan Police Force have 110 horses in their mounted branch. It isn’t unusual for a new Police Commissioner to decide to save money by cutting horse numbers and then discover they haven’t got sufficient horse power to control a big London riot or a major public gathering such as The Nottinghill Carnival. So the number goes up again. One mounted officer is deemed to be worth ten on foot when handling crowds and the horses are also great for public relations. They are stabled at several locations around London. The main horse selection criteria are size, feet and mind so they are 16.2 upwards and tend to be ID or draught cross. They have to be imposing. One selection requirement for their riders is to be able to mount a big horse from the ground unaided at any time. When engaged in crowd control the officers wear a complete set of Kevlar armour, remarkably similar to a medieval knight, right down to articulated protective gloves, underneath overalls. The City of London Police also have ten (as I recall) horses in its own mounted branch, stabled within “the square mile”. People walk past daily and don’t realise they are passing a stable. Other police forces around the country maintain mounted divisions and these can be boxed in to London for really big events.
The Royal Mews behind Buckingham Palace is the home of some 30 carriage horses. These are divided into ‘sets’ of bays and grays. Not only the big state events and annual parades like Royal Ascot, all new diplomats “presenting their credentials at the Court of St. James” get a ride in a royal carriage, some 50 or so events a year, and a daily messenger Brougham takes post between Buckingham Palace and St James Palace. The carriage horses are also used in pageantry in the City if London, such as The Lord Mayor’s Parade each November. The Mews are part of the Crown Estate so it is the the Government that controls the number of horses. The Mews also house a remarkable working collection of coaches, including the one used in the coronation, carriages, wagons, harness and tack. Oh, and the royal motor vehicles used in parades and formal events. The Mews are open to the public and are worth a visit.
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I second this. I loved visiting the Royal Mews. Fascinating place.
@Willesdon Thanks for all the info! I stood and watched a group of military types (sorry, don’t know what unit they were with) in Hyde Park one day. They were practicing riding in formations. A friend, also a horsewoman, was with me. Either some of the horses were green or a couple of the riders were new. It was, shall we say, exciting at certain points.
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If they were military in Hyde Park they were Household Cavalry. Their Knightsbridge Barracks are situated on the edge of the Park.
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Thanks!
Willesdon, thanks, that was great! My dad’s family came here from the Coventry area. I guess when you love horses and half the family came from England, you are saddled with a predisposition to sit and watch anything that involves horses and royalty and originates in London.
I was 4 years old when the Queen ascended throne. The more I watched the more I felt that we won’t see anything quite like this again.
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King Charles likes his horses, as do his sons and I believe his grandchildren already have ponies. The Queen, however, was an unusually good horsewoman. I seriously doubt there will ever be another royal pageant such as the Queen’s funeral and King Charles has already said his coronation will not be as big but … The horses are such an important part of national celebrations that I can’t see the coaches, cavalry and artillery disappearing. The public like them.
A story. The royal carriage horses are exercised early every morning, passing in front of Buckingham Palace as they travel along the road up to Hyde Park and back again. On occasions, when they got home, there would be a message awaiting the Head Coachman from Her Majesty to say something such as “The right wheeler on the third carriage looks a bit off. Please check the horse”. Obviously she watched them from her office.
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Wow @Willesdon you should be a guide there 
I will NOT miss the Royal Mews my next time in London, that’s for sure.
Excellent stories you shared on this thread, she was an incredible equestrian and her deep passion for these animals is so obvious to me, as another horse enthusiast. Love these ‘little’ stories about her devotion to the horses.
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Don’t forget the Horseguards Museum as well as the Royal Mews. You can see the stabled cavalry blacks and the troopers taking care of them.
Curiously enough…
