Breed Purpose
The Drum Horse is designed as an athletic, agile heavy horse, excelling in various ridden disciplines. Inspired by the ceremonial horses carrying kettle drums in the Queen of England’s cavalry, the breed combines strength, versatility, and elegance.
Breed Standards
- General Appearance: A well-muscled, medium-to-heavyweight horse with abundant feathering and an expressive, kind demeanor.
- Size: Aiming for a mature height of at least 16 hands to ensure suitability for equestrian disciplines.
- Disposition: Intelligent, willing, and even-tempered.
- Color: All coat colors are accepted without preference for solid or patterned coats.
- Hair & Feathering: Abundant mane, tail, and feathering starting above the fetlocks, extending down to the hooves. Soft, silky texture preferred.
- Movement:
- Walk: Ground-covering, four-beat stride with balance and consistency.
- Trot: Balanced and powerful, with natural animation or extended movement.
- Canter: Fluid, three-beat motion with strong hindquarter engagement.
- Conformation:
- Head: Proportional, broad forehead, clean jawline, expressive eyes.
- Neck: Well-muscled, proportionate, allowing for good flexion.
- Chest & Shoulders: Deep, broad chest with well-balanced shoulders at a 45–50-degree angle.
- Withers: Average Height and defined. They should sit behind the elbow.
- Barrel: The body is well-rounded with well set ribs.
- Back & Croup: Strong and proportional back, well-defined loins, slightly sloping croup.
- Legs & Hooves: Correct, weight-bearing structure with draft-type hock set, strong pasterns, and large, well-shaped hooves.
Breeding & Registration Requirements
Drum Horses must maintain a balanced combination of Shire, Clydesdale, and Gypsy Horse bloodlines, with no breed exceeding 87.5% of total lineage.
- All foundation stock must be registered within their respective breed registries.
- DNA verification is required for mares before registering foals.
- Horses exceeding 50% Gypsy blood (foaled after 2015) are placed in the Foundation Drum Book.
