A military horse that was injured after running loose in central London earlier this year has returned to service.

Vida was one of five horses spooked by debris thrown through a plastic tunnel during an exercise in Belgravia on April 24.

Footage of the incident showed the gray horse covered in blood as it ran for several kilometers through the city’s streets.

Equine charity The Horse Trust, which later cared for the animal in Buckinghamshire, announced on Friday that Vida had returned to the Mounted Cavalry Regiment (HCMR) “after a five-month break”.

The horse was given “time and space to recover both physically and emotionally” and was often seen “happily rolling in the mud”, the charity said.

Three of the four other HCMR horses involved – Tennyson, Trojan and Vanquish – took part in Trooping the Color in June after making “quick and successful” recoveries.

Jeanette Allen, chief executive of The Horse Trust, said: “It was our honor to offer Vida a place of respite and recovery.

“Vida has come to hold a special place in our hearts, it’s been a joy we cherish, partly because we don’t have to groom that muddy monster for the parade!

“He had a great time and we are extremely proud of him as he returns to his role in the Mounted Cavalry Regiment.”

Nicola Housby Skeggs, veterinary director at the charity, said Vida’s return to work was “bittersweet”.

She said: “He was an absolute superstar, winning the hearts (and indulgences) of the groom. We are so excited to see him make such a fantastic recovery.

“Although he will be missed here, as a relative youngster, he is certainly now ready for some exercise.”

Animal rights group Peta wrote to HMCR Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Mathew Woodward in June calling for all five horses involved in the incident to be permanently retired.

Kate Werner, Peta’s senior campaigns manager, wrote: “Tradition is never an excuse for animal suffering and every horse deserves to live free from the stress they endure when parading through a busy and noisy capital with a man on his back, all for the amusement of loud and unpredictable crowds.”