There’s some simple guidance when it comes to the King’s Guard horses – don’t get too close and certainly do not touch.
There’s even a sign that explains the horses may ‘kick or bite’.
But, unfortunately, it’s advice not everyone follows. And sometimes, people simply don’t realise, or they haven’t noticed the sign.
There’s even a sign that explains the King’s Guard’s horses may ‘kick or bite’ (Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)
But it’s a lesson one woman unfortunately learnt the hard way, after falling flat on her face when she stood a little too close to one of the horses outside of Buckingham Palace in London.
A clip of the incident was shared on X, showing the woman stood next to a King’s Guard horse while posing for a photo.
The horse clearly wasn’t happy with the woman’s proximity and nudged her away, causing her to stumble before falling flat on her face.
Ouch.
The woman was helped up by members of the public and could be seen chatting with local police after the fall.
But despite the distressing incident, people were rather unforgiving on social media.
One person wrote: “Not headbutted, just nudged. Not thrown to the ground, flopped like someone trying to start an insurance claim.”
While another said: “Oh please. That horse barely nudged her. Give me a break.”
And a third added: “The horse barely nudged her and she was too close.”
A fourth wrote: “I grew up with horses. That horse could have been scratching an itch. Sometimes they nibble certain colour clothing.
“OTHER times it means get TF out of the way in a very, very gentle way compared to getting the cr*p kicked out of you.”
The King’s Guards have an important role to play. (Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)
Earlier this year, there was a similar incident which saw a tourist bitten by a King’s Guard horse.
In a clip, a woman can be seen standing next to the horse while someone attempts to take her photograph. But it seems the horse wasn’t too impressed and swung its head around, before clamping down on her jacket.
The woman stumbles back, obviously completely shocked by the sudden move, and steadies herself on the stone wall behind.
It’s worth remembering that the King’s Guards have a hugely important job and are known for being rather stern.
In the past, they’ve been seen shouting at tourists who approach their horses or get in their way during a march.
If you’re planning on visiting London any time soon, it’s probably best to give them as much space and respect as possible.