A Celebrity Horse Breed Known For Its Calm Nature Is Hard To Find In America

Horse cross breeding dates back millennia, with mentions of mules (a horse crossed with a donkey) appearing in the Bible during King David's reign around 1000 BCE. Before that, the Botai people of Kazakhstan were the first recorded to domesticate and breed horses, dating back 5,500 years. Over 400 breeds and crossbreeds have been raised to fit particular needs, and horses have even helped transform human society.

The drum horse is an example of people cross breeding horses to fulfill a role. This equine can be seen carrying soldiers and drums during the Band of the Household Cavalry (formerly Band of the Life Guards) processions. The regal, tall, and calm demeanor of the modern-day drum horse — prized for its ability to navigate British processions — comes from combining traits of Clydesdale, Gypsy Cob, and Shire breeds.

Despite their agreeable nature and prominence in British processions, which have earned them celebrity status, the drum horse breed is exceptionally rare in America due to its specialized role and lack of substantial breeding stock. Additionally, the breed's tumultuous history has contributed to this scarcity.

A singular change to the Shire Registry resulted in certain patterned shire horses — piebald (large uniform patches of black and white) and skewbald (large white patches on any other color) — being removed. The Shire Horse Stud Book, established in 1878, was essential in tracking and protecting the lineage of Shire horses. Once these patterned horses were excluded, they fell out of favor with the upper class and became a staple working breed among the Roma people. These piebald and skewbald Shire horses went on to become integral in forming the modern-day Gypsy Cob.

As original Shire patterning began to disappear, piebald and skewbald horses again became highly prized. The modern drum horse is created through selective breeding of Clydesdales and Gypsy cobs to reproduce the traditional colored Shire's patterning. Sabino-patterned horses — defined by unique white spotting — also serve as drum horses, although piebald or skewbald coloring is still preferred for leading processions.

The drum horse breed would not enjoy nearly the same celebrity status if it were not for one remarkable stallion, standing at 17.1 hands high (5 feet 9 inches): Galway Warrior. Registered initially under the royal name "Beauty" to Her Royal Majesty the Queen, Galway Warrior was sold in 1993 to recoup funds after a massive fire at Windsor Castle forced the royal family to pay taxes.

Galway Warrior's son, Chew Mill Guinness, was imported to the States and used as a stud and show horse. However, a few months after his arrival, professional jouster turned premium Shire horse breeder Jeff Bartko arranged for Galway Warrior himself to come to the United States. Galway Warrior made an appearance at Breyerfest in 2003, leaving a lasting, joyful impression on people who love horses fortunate enough to see him. He died on July 2, 2009 at 26 years old, yet his lineage lives on through his offspring. While the drum horse may still be rare, their celebrity status and unique ancestry make for an intriguing breed.