This is the shocking moment an American tourist begged for help after being bitten by a King’s Guard horse. Footage shows the holidaymaker yelling ‘Ow! Ow! Help me, he’s got my arm’ after the horse grabbed hold and refused to let go. Neither the King’s Guard in the saddle or a soldier stood next to him step in to intervene, with other visitors eventually coming to her aid. They can be seen gently patting on the animal’s nose before it lets go.
They are generally not allowed to interact with the public, but may shout if they get too close or present their bayonets if they become aggressive. The soldiers must not let anything distract them from their duties – with toilet breaks banned during two hour shifts – and will march through anyone in their way. While tourists can take photos of them, armed officers stationed near them will step in if they get too close or behave disrespectfully. A sign next to the guard warns onlookers that horses may kick or bite, telling them not to touch the reins. In the footage published yesterday, a horse clamped down on a woman’s saree after she put her hand on its neck while posing for a photograph. She stumbles backwards in shock after being bitten and very nearly falls over, but steadies herself by putting her hands back on a stone wall behind her.
