The American Drum Horse

THE DRUM HORSE

The American 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).

PURPOSE OF THE BREED

The purpose of the American 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.

DRUM HORSE HISTORY

Actually named after a “job” performed by the horse, The Drum Horse is an important member of the Queen of England's Band of the Life Guards. These horses carry two large solid silver kettle Drums, plus a fully outfitted rider, through crowds of thousands, during the Queen’s processions! The fact that the Drum Horse can remain quiet in large crowds of people while being controlled entirely by reins attached to their rider’s feet is a testament to the Drum Horse's extraordinary disposition.

Drum Horses must be strong enough to carry the weight of the large kettledrums and the drummer, often in excess of 300 pounds. They must also remain calm and sensible in crowded environments during ceremonies. It takes a very special horse to fill such a prominent role in the Queen's Household Cavalry.

The Drum Horses that perform in the Queen's calvary have always been geldings, up until the recent addition of one mare.

As we have no Queen's processions, Drum Horses are being redefined in America for use in various ridden and driven disciplines. They combine the size and stature of the Shire and Clydesdale with the color and hair of the Gypsy Horse to create an animal that possesses the best traits of each breed. Slightly lighter than their fullblood draft counterparts the American Drum Horse makes a talented athletic mount which can compete successfully in many ridden disciplines. In addition, American Drum Horses are well suited for taller heavier riders that need a horse with more substance and height, but still want a calm, level headed riding horse. Because of their quiet nature, some American Drum Horses may even be suited for pleasure driving. When viewed in person, this magical creature of history will render you speechless. They are unlike any other breed in the world!

General Appearance:

The overall impression of the American Drum Horse should be one of an elegant heavy horse of great strength and agility. The American Drum Horse is a heavy riding horse, and should therefore display the athleticism to allow for competitiveness in all ridden and driven disciplines. The American Drum should be a large, well-muscled horse of medium to heavy weight, with good quality bone, an athletic body, a kind expression, and abundant hair (including heavy “feather” on the legs).

Size:

The American Drum Horse should be a large, athletic animal capable of excelling in a variety of equine disciplines. To achieve this goal members are encouraged to select breeding stock of a size that will help ensure their American Drum Horses will reach the desired mature height of 16 hands or taller.

Disposition:

The American Drum Horse should display good character and be a willing and sensible partner.

Color:

American Drum Horses may have any base color, and may be solid or colored. There is no preference given to colored horses over solid colored horses.

Hair:

Mane and tail should be natural and abundant. Feather is a required characteristic of a American Drum Horse. Feathering should preferably begin above the fetlock joints, and start at the back of the knee and hocks, as well as run down the leg to cover the entire hoof. Feather should be silky and soft, and may be either straight or curly. Trimming of the mane, tail, and feather is not desired, unless required for a discipline in which the horse in question competes. Clipping or trimming of bridle paths, belly hair, jaw and ear hair is permissible and up to each individual owner/breeder. Docking of tails is not permitted*.

Movement:
The ideal American Drum Horse should move naturally, with forward impulsion and presence, during all three gaits:

Walk: Horse should walk flat with a straight four-beat, ground-covering gait. Stride should be consistent and balanced.

Trot: The trot should be coordinated, straight, and balanced. There should be two distinct beats in which front and hind legs are moving diagonally. Action at the knees may be snappy and naturally animated, or regular and extended. The Drum Horse should use his hind end well, and hocks should be powerful and work close together.

Canter: The canter should be a fluid three-beat gait, exhibiting balance, cadence and strong use of the horse's hindquarters.

Information courtesy of the American Drum Horse Association, www.drumhorseassociation.com

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