WHAT IS A DRUM HORSE?

The Drum Horse is a selectively bred heavy riding horse derived from the Shire, Clydesdale, and Gypsy Horse breeds. To maintain breed integrity, the Gypsy Horse component must be between 6.25% and 50%. Horses exceeding these limits are categorized under the Foundation Drum Book. The Drum Horse Society maintains three Stud Books:

Drum Horse Book

• Section A:  Horses with Shire and/or Clydesdale lineage where the Gypsy blood is 50% or more.
• Section B:  Horses with Shire and/or Clydesdale lineage where the Gypsy blood is 49% to 6.25%

Foundation Horse Book

• Purebred Clydesdale, Shire or Gypsy Horse.  Must be registered in their own breed registry.  Also a Shire-Clydesdale Cross if the Dam and Sire were registered in their own breed registry

Part-Bred Book

• Section A:  Drum Sporthorse – One Parent is a registered Drum in the Drum Horse Book (Section A or B) and the other Parent is of light stock or warmblood.
• Section B:  Foundation Sporthorse – One Parent is a registered Foundation Horse in the Foundation Horse Book and the other Parent is of light stock or warmblood.

Drum Horse B Book

•   Horses with a combinations of Gypsy, Clydesdale or Shire where one or both parents are unknown.
• Section A:  Horses with Shire and/or Clydesdale lineage where the Gypsy blood is 50% or more.
• Section B:  Horses with Shire and/or Clydesdale lineage where the Gypsy blood is 49% to 6.25%

Foundation Stock B Book: 

• Gypsy, Clydesdale or Shire of Unknown Parentage
• *Both Drum Horse B Book and Foundation Stock B Book are pending registration until the Board approves on type.  For more information, please see the registration instructions.

Breed Purpose

The Drum Horse is designed as an athletic, agile heavy horse, excelling in various ridden disciplines. Inspired by the ceremonial horses carrying kettledrums in the Queen of England’s cavalry, the breed combines strength, versatility, and elegance.