The charge of the cavalry, the loss of the stirrup

An early dog walk with Laura this morning (see extra) was treated the most wonderful spectacle.

The Household Cavalry exercise their horses in Hyde park every day, however I have never seen them training in full uniform before.

The spirit of the horses was enchanting, each 17 hand personality coming through with every stride. They are the Aston Martin of the horse world and I had to laugh at their refusal to trot on command, going from walk to canter with nothing in between.

Scrutinising the riding style I noticed soldiers riding very loosely on the rein, commands seemingly coming from the leg. It was quite like dressage but with less well behaved horses. The loss of a stirrup did not affect the military man's control.

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