The cone arranger: How Merlin the Met Police horse likes to entertain the crowds at Buckingham Palace by neatly moving bollards



When the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace is over there is still a spectacle to entertain the crowds – thanks to Merlin the Metropolitan Police horse.

First, the seven-year-old bay gelding eyes one up of the many traffic cones that have been used to cordon off sections of road around the Palace.

Then he places the pointy end precisely in his mouth and begins to carry it away.

Traffic duty: Merlin picks up a cone following the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace

Were this his only party piece, it might pass unnoticed. But Merlin is no one-trick pony.

Guided by mounted police constable Karen Howells, 46, he clip-clops along to the next cone in line and starts to stack them one on top of another.

His performance often brings cheers and applause from the crowd.

PC Howells said: ‘He loves people and I think he likes showing off. He always likes to have something in his mouth.

'Once, I was trying to get a cone away from him and he wouldn’t let go of it. I had to get a foot PC to help.’

The bizarre talent Merlin has developed might not seem that difficult - until you consider that horses can’t see forward and sideways at the same time, and have a blind-spot imposed by having one eye on each side of their head.

Horse sense: Merlin stacks the cones up as hundreds of tourists look on in delight

Merlin is a familiar sight at big public events - he played a star role in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding procession, led the Olympic victory parade, and kept order during the recent student riots in London. Routinely he is on duty at football matches and can often be seen on patrol around Westminster.

PC Howells , 46, has been in the police service 22 years and helps to train young horses.

‘He’s an obedient horse and he really loves his work,’ she said. ‘He makes my job a pleasure - even the grotty bits when it’s pouring down with rain.’