Drum horses are used by the British Regimental Cavalry for parades, ceremonies of state and royal processions, to carry the drummer along with 2 solid silver kettle drums. They are generally over 16.1 hands, although anything with the breed characteristics that is over 16 hands is considered a Drum horse.
Drum horses are strong enough to carry the weight of a man along with the two, 90 pound kettle drums, and gear (which can weigh more than of 450 lbs total)! A Drum horse must have an exceptional disposition, as they are used in events that would test the character of even the most reliable and steady horse. Drum horses are controlled only by the feet of the drummer during parades and events, so they have to be incredibly well mannered and very even tempered. This leaves the hands of the rider free to play the drums.
Drum horses are one of the most familiar horses in British Pageantry. No royal procession is complete without at least one Drum horse leading the way.
Drum horses are extremely rare, with very few being raised anywhere in the world. They are a mix of gypsy horses, and Shire or Clydesdale horses.
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Photo courtesy of BFSGH
American Drum Horse Association
The Drum Horse is a combination of any of the following breeds: Shire, Clydesdale, and Gypsy Horse, where no single breed listed above exceeds 87% (7/8) of the total make-up and the percentage of Gypsy Horse blood does not fall below 12.5% (1/8). Therefore the breeder must consider the bloodlines of any mare used to create Drum Horses and breed her to a stallion that will maintain the proper combination of breeds in the correct percentages.
The purpose of the Drum Horse as a breed in America is to develop a new Heavy Horse breed that utilizes the best examples of the Shire, Clydesdale, and Gypsy Cob breeds, while focusing on breeding for athleticism, agility, and performance ability for all ridden disciplines.
The inspiration for the American Drum Horse is the working horses still found carrying riders and heavy kettledrums in the Queen of England's cavalry.
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Gypsy cob and drum horse association description
Drum Horses have a long and colorful history in the British Military. Some of the earliest regiments documenting Drum Horses are the Royal Scots Greys (1678), the 6th Dragoon Guards and the 3rd Hussars (both 1685), the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers (1689) and the 10th Royal Hussars and 9th Queen’s Lancers (both 1715). These horses, and their successors, saw service wherever the regiments were sent, including India, Flanders, the Crimea and Palestine.
The Drum Horse has captured the imagination with his stunning good looks and stately air. Often seen as a larger version of the Gypsy Cob, the Drum Horse stands at least 16hh and utilizes the bloodlines of the Clydesdale, Shire and Gypsy Cob. It is a heavy horse, pinto colored with lovely feather and exceptional disposition. Developed as a heavy riding horse, the Drum Horse is suited for low level dressage, eventing, hunting, saddle seat, trail, pleasure and, of course, makes an excellent driving horse.
