American Drum Horse

Intro

The drum horse is a heavy riding horse which has proven to be a versatile, athletic & agreeable mount. They are a relatively new breed to the US, but they have a long & rather distinguished history.

Origins

Drum horses were originally used by the Queen of England for her ceremonial band. The animals had to be large & robust enough to carry large kettle drums during different types of pageantry. This meant that they were required to carry a great deal of weight through crowds of people & noise. The mounted drummers needed their hands free to play, so they controlled their animals via reins attached to their stirrups.

A Favored Draft

The drum is an elegant heavy horse breed that utilizes the finest examples of the Shire, Clydesdale & Vanner breeds. In the US, drum horses are favored more as riding & competition horses – both mounted & driving. They make sturdy, athletic mounts with a level head.

Features

Average height 16 hands & larger
Strong & forward movement
Gaits well balanced & even

Physique

Head is attractive & well-proportioned
Eyes are expressive & kind
Both convex & concave profiles accepted
Neck is long & well muscled
Mane is abundant
Chest is deep & broad
Barrel is well-rounded with long well-set ribs
Legs straight & clean
Hooves are large with open heels
Feathering is required of the breed, it should begin above the fetlock joint & cover the hoof

Traditional Colors

All colors

Temperament

Good character
Willing & sensible partner
Athletic & bold

Use

General riding horse
Agriculture work
Showhorse

Helpful Links

*All links open in a new window
International Drum Horse Association
Gypsy Cob & Drum Horse Association