There was some unusual excitement on the streets of Paris yesterday when Garibaldi, 15 year old Stallion, unceremoniously dumped his Republican Guard rider and high tailed it for home. The 10-year veteran of the force spooked while on patrol.

Despite a gallop of nearly 5 kilometers (a bit over 3 miles), dodging traffic and police cars, the horse is reported to have suffered only minor scrapes from at least one fall. He successfully crossed the Place de la Concorde (one of the busiest squares in Europe) and then galloped along the river Seine.

The dramatic rescue — caught on video — occurred when a police woman leaned out of a cruiser to bring the horse to a halt.