The Drum horse is a new breed to Australia. Traditionally, it was a job description for the horse rather than a breed in itself. The Drum Horses were heavy horses that carried the solid silver kettle drum’s, along with a rider, in the Queen of England’s marching band. This could be a weight in excess of 150kg, hence it required a suitably strong horse to carry the load. As the horse would carry the rider and drums through a noisy procession, a horse with a quiet disposition was essential.

Today, the Drum Horse combines the best of the Gypsy Cob, Clydesdale and Shire breeds, in any combination, such that it must be a minimum of 25% and no more than 75% Gypsy Cob. The product is a stunning large horse (over 16hh), with huge amounts of feather, heavy bone and an incredibly quiet temperament. Although the Drum Horse was traditionally piebald or skewbald in colour, it is not uncommon to see them solid in colour.

The drum horse is a medium to heavy riding horse, slightly lighter than the fullblood Clydesdale or Shire and with the profuse feathering of the gypsy cob, displaying excellent movement, agility and athleticism, making it suitable for a variety of ridden and driven disciplines.

Galway Warrior (left) was once owned by the Queen of England, who was used not only as a drum carrier in the band, but in the Royal Stables as a drum horse sire. Galway Warrior stood at 17.1 hh. (Image care of Colorado River Gypsy Horses)

Drum Horses for sale & at Stud

Here at Bethesda Horse Stud we are breeding outstanding Drum Horses, carefully selecting mares and stallions to produce exceptional horses suitable for riding and driving. Each year we will offer a limited number of these DRUM HORSES FOR SALE.

We will also have a DRUM HORSE STALLION (pictured right) standing at stud for the 2011-2012 breeding season.

Pictures of Drum Horses

All pictures used below are courtesy of Colorado River Gypsy Horses

This is Monarch, a 4 year old Drum Horse Stallion, sired by the Drum Horse Galway Warrior.

This is Rebel, a 4 year old Drum Horse Stallion, sired by the Drum Horse Galway Warrior.

This is a photo of two Drum Horse stallions working in a team at the 2008 National Western Draft Horse Show.

Drum Horse stallion – Galway Warrior in July 2003.

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